[giver13]

Hi Guys, this probably seems ridiculous but i am having a hard time finding the best type of oil to put in my car. There seem to be many opinions in threads that seem to get off topic. Here are the details of my car: 2011 328i 2 door, with 52,000 Km on the engine, and i live in Niagara on the Lake Canada so i have seasons. Please help. thanks

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by giver13

Hi Guys, this probably seems ridiculous but i am having a hard time finding the best type of oil to put in my car. There seem to be many opinions in threads that seem to get off topic. Here are the details of my car: 2011 328i 2 door, with 52,000 Km on the engine, and i live in Niagara on the Lake Canada so i have seasons. Please help. thanks

Well there IS a lot of stuff to wade through.

But the result is: buy anything you like and meets BMW LL-01 specifications.

[giver13]

Thanks Floyd. could you give me specifics. eg. castrol 0w40 etc....

[MrToastywaffle]

Originally Posted by giver13

Thanks Floyd. could you give me specifics. eg. castrol 0w40 etc....

5W30, 5W40, 0W30 and 0W40 are approved for our vehicles. I'm currently running BMW's 5W-30 for now, until my next oil change, then I switch back to 0W weight (Castrol or Mobil 1 seems to be the consensus around here). 5W40 isn't readily available around here, so I've been using the other 3 weights, all of which keep the car running sound

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by giver13

Thanks Floyd. could you give me specifics. eg. castrol 0w40 etc....

Any oil meeting LL-01 specs (look on the bottle) will be either 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40. Not all weights by a manufacturer meets LL-01: you absolutely must read the bottle.

Strictly speaking, people go outside the LL-01 spec, which is tighter and more specific than a general spec. For instance ACEA A3/B3-B4 is the "base" oil for LL-01. The API and ILFSC specs are useless for BMW (and many European manufacturers) as they're just too loose.

After Castrol (BMW re-branded), Mobil 1 0W-40 is probably the most popular because it's inexpensive (for a synthetic) and readily available. BMW recently switched to Shell (Pennzoil is one Shell brand).

[timothy2001]

This might help you, I can't link from my iPad but there is a post by toniostyle from 10/28 about oil with a lot of input.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

There is no best oil, only oil that BMW recommends. If the brand meets LL-01, then that's the "best oil." Literally any oil that meets the manufacturer's weight for the vehicle and is certified by the American Petroleum Institute will do, but your change interval will increase with non-LL-01.

If it's not LL-01 and is a conventional, you'll want to change it every 3,000-5,000 miles. If it is LL-01, you can go 10,000-15,000 miles, or whenever your car's computer tells you it's time. There's an algorithm it goes through that's a function of gas consumption and some other factors that engineers have determined are good predictors of oil life.

Or you can just buy it from the dealer or another vendor in bulk and not need to think about it. BMW oil is a pretty good bargain for a synthetic. That's what I do. Also, Mobil-1 0w40 (LL-01) is a steal at Walmart.

[ccraig13]

+1 for Mobil-1 0w40 at Walmart

[sk55]

A 328 non turbo. Mobil 1 0w40.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

+1 for Mobil-1 0w40 at Walmart

Yes, it says European formula. They also carry Castrol Edge European. imho those two choices are all you really need to know, since Walmart has both.

[jt335i]

See this link if it works.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=478346

It's like an encyclopedia of every oil you can use.

I used Castrol Edge 5W-30 Fully Synthetic on my 335 at my last oil change.
Got it off this list.

[giver13]

Awesome thanks for clarifying everybody, headin to grab me some Mobil 1 right now.

[Efthreeoh]

Make it easy on yourself. Just order an oil change kit on line for $75 US shipped and call it a day. No worries. It's the oil and filter the dealer will put in the car if you took it to them to change the oil. Simple.

[Efini]

mobile 1 0w40 from walmart

[kred]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

+1 for Mobil-1 0w40 at Walmart

+1 for Mobil 1

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Make it easy on yourself. Just order an oil change kit on line for $75 US shipped and call it a day. No worries. It's the oil and filter the dealer will put in the car if you took it to them to change the oil. Simple.

I dunno, you could use Mobil 1 and a nice Hengst filter for $47, or Castrol Edge for $44. $1 less for Mahle. If one could save $28 to $31 why not. imho one of the names of the game is to get away from paying BMW $8/qt.

At your price, you can actually have the dealer do it for about $5 more.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by John 070

I dunno, you could use Mobil 1 and a nice Hengst filter for $47, or Castrol Edge for $44. $1 less for Mahle. If one could save $28 to $31 why not. imho one of the names of the game is to get away from paying BMW $8/qt.

At your price, you can actually have the dealer do it for about $5 more.

Yeah, but you don't have to wait for the car at the dealer (or get a dirty-ass loaner and worry about insurance coverage), and then listen to the BS up-sell job on the way out....

For me I order on line, pick up at the dealer. $6.30 a quart and $8-something for the filter. Part of the $75 is the convenience of having it shipped to your door. Life has trade offs.

I'd rather walk into a BMW dealership any day of the week over going to Walmart... Just sayin'

[grussauto]

Buy two 5 qt jugs of Mobil1 0w40 European Formula at Walmart for $27 each and the filter from my local dealer is $16. Your engine takes just about 7 qts. We have two 328's, so I buy 3 jugs and that takes care of both cars.

[HerrGruyere]

I just use boring old BMW oil from the stealership.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by grussauto

Buy two 5 qt jugs of Mobil1 0w40 European Formula at Walmart for $27 each and the filter from my local dealer is $16. Your engine takes just about 7 qts. We have two 328's, so I buy 3 jugs and that takes care of both cars.

Throw in the door ding or two you'll get from parking next to a Walmartian and the dealer oil actually comes out cheaper.

[grussauto]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Throw in the door ding or two you'll get from parking next to a Walmartian and the dealer oil actually comes out cheaper.

Park on the auto service side where no one parks. Separate entrance than the front and your in and out in minutes.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Throw in the door ding or two you'll get from parking next to a Walmartian and the dealer oil actually comes out cheaper.

Nah either take your cheap car when you go to Walmart, or make sure you can curb the vehicle and park far away. Bottom line is the oil is cheaper there. Or, just have the au pair get it, if she gets it wrong, either have her make it up to you or go back for the right stuff


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