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BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2734 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 271 of 274

#2701 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [cenla71466] by busiris

Feb 15, 2012 (11:29 am)

Replying to: cenla71466 (Feb 14, 2012 6:11 pm)
Just my opinion, but you do know you responded to a 3 year old posting, don't you?
 
I can't say, but was the oil shown in the PDF your post displayed available (with the same specs as in the PDF) in March 2009?
 
A lot can change in 3 years.
 
And, it's certainly not beyond the imagination to think that independent shops would recommend a product that is contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations...
 
Just sayin'...

#2703 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [busiris] by james27

Feb 15, 2012 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Feb 15, 2012 11:29 am)
BMW's stand (as I understand it) is that for best, long-term performance, knowing their specific metalurgy, they want you to use oils that have passed the LL-01 testing procedure (the M-series uses a different testing and certification). As far as I know, Amsoil does not have an oil that has submitted to or passed that test certification. that doesn't mean it may not be a good oil, but that it has not elected to try to pass that test. So, the user is in a quandry - use an oil they know is acceptable to the manufacturer (there are probably at least 5 or so available that I've found), or something else, they aren't sure about. At least during the warranty period, the oil changes are free, so that decision is put off for at least a few years.

#2704 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [james27] by busiris

Feb 15, 2012 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Feb 15, 2012 4:08 pm)
I remember looking this up a year or so ago, and at the time, could only find 2 oils officially meeting BMW's recommendations that were available in the US.
 
One was Mobil 0W40, and the other was Castrol... At least, that's how I remember it.
 
Since I can buy BMW oil cheaper at my local dealer using my BMWCCA discount than I can buy Mobil 1 at Walmart, I didn't dig any deeper.
 
Here is what BMW currently states:
 
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
 
I don't believe either of the oils listed in the poster's PDF links are BMW LL-01, but are LL-04...

#2705 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [busiris] by james27

Feb 15, 2012 (10:54 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Feb 15, 2012 9:33 pm)
BMW, if I remember correctly, has three different specs for their engines: Non-M's, M's, and diesels. There may also be a difference between what they spec for Europe verses the USA.

#2706 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [james27] by busiris

Feb 16, 2012 (11:11 am)

Replying to: james27 (Feb 15, 2012 10:54 pm)
Agreed. The M series use 10w60 as the primary recommended viscosity.
 
I have no idea if Eurpoean models have different recommendations.
 
Frankly, I couldn't tell you the difference between LL-01 and LL-04. I'm guessing the LL stands for "long lifetime"...

#2707 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [busiris] by james27

Feb 16, 2012 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Feb 16, 2012 11:11 am)
You'd have to find a copy of their specifictions, and then, you'd probably not know unless you were in the industry. Never looked for it, it might be easily found.

#2708 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [busiris] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 16, 2012 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Feb 16, 2012 11:11 am)
LL does stand for LongLife..

#2709 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [kyfdx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Feb 17, 2012 (10:51 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 16, 2012 8:33 pm)
BMW even specs LL brake fluids.

#2710 of 2734 Re: Switching BMW Motor Oil to Synthetic Oil [james27] by busiris

Feb 17, 2012 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: james27 (Feb 16, 2012 7:35 pm)
I'm thinking you're correct about having to be in the industry to understand it, or at least have a specialized degree in the area of petroleum chemistry.
 
Like tires, I understand sizes and tread patterns and usage indicators, but I wouldn't have a clue when the conversation moved to in-depth compound types.
 
I can identify a GFT from a RFT, as well as an actual flat tire.
 
The "LL" guess was a safe one...

Messages Page 271 of 274

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