[thefarns88]

So yes I am anal and wanted to replace factory oil at 2000 mi. after receiving my 2020 X7 M50i for whatever benefits may exist in ridding the engine of break-in shavings, etc. The owners manual states "Only add the types of engine oil which are listed... Add engine oils that meet the following oil rating standards:
BMW Longlife 01FE
BMW Longlife 14 FE
BMW Longlife 17 FE"

However, the trusty manual then says: "The BMW Longlife 14FE and BMW Longlife 17FE+ oil rating are not suitable for the 50i gasoline engine."??? Great. Does that apply to the M50i engine and if so, does that mean the BMW 01FE twenty year old standard for oil should be used?

The Manual then says: "If an engine oil suitable for continuous use is not available, up to1US quart/liter of an engine oil with the following ratings can be added:
API SL
API SM
API SN"

OK, clear? As mud? So here i sit with my very expensive Amsoil Signature Series Synthetic 0W30 which is API SN but contains no BMW LL ratings at all, worried that I am going to destroy this beautiful new engine.

Anyone get the technical scoop from BMW on which synthetic, other than having the API rating, is best for the M series X7?

[like2short]

Get BMW long Life 01 oil. plenty of brands support this from LiquiMoly to others...or just go to the dealer and get the oil.

[PatMo]

Looks like the LiquiMoly works, but it has to be Long Life 01 FE! Just not Long Life 01. Doing a small amount of research, many of the monikers have to do with either the turbos or the fuel efficiency.

[jmciver]

Originally Posted by PatMo

Looks like the LiquiMoly works, but it has to be Long Life 01 FE! Just not Long Life 01. Doing a small amount of research, many of the monikers have to do with either the turbos or the fuel efficiency.

The "FE" stands for "Fuel Efficiency" - term/spec used by auto manufacturers to help them get max fuel efficiency/miles per gallon ratings for their cars. Max MPG is a big deal to car manufactures for certification purposes in multiple countries - including the US. The FE part of the spec does not matter, what is most important is using the correct oil weight, followed by the LL-01 rating. Although, many will say that the LL-01 rating is not that important either, especially if you change your oil more frequently than the BMW standard of every 10k miles (I am in this camp).

Regarding the FE tag, for several late model BMWs, my 2017 M3 included, BMW also recommends oil alternatives that does not include the FE spec. Typically, FE spec oil is lighter so the engine does not need to work harder, therefore higher MPG. The downside being the FE oils provide less engine wear protection. That slight nuance my not be important to you (it is to me as I use non-FE oil in my M3), but the bottom line is that the FE spec is not important when it comes to what the oil is supposed to do, which is protect the engine. The correct oil weight, followed by some of the other chemical specs, is what is important.