08-31-2020, 09:11 AM | #1 |
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BMW "branded" Oil vs Others?
HI,
Trying to find out if there is a "difference" between going bmw branded 0w30 oil vs other brands? Price is half so I'm just trying to figure out if there is some kind of special sauce I'm not aware? Thanks in advance. |
08-31-2020, 09:17 AM | #2 |
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You can use diff brands, just be sure it meets the spec called for in your owners manual. For my 2011 F25 35i, it needs to meet BMW's Long Life -01 synthetic at the proper weight
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08-31-2020, 09:36 AM | #3 |
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08-31-2020, 09:43 AM | #5 |
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till now I've been using:
0w30 83212365950 after searching Ll-01 I found Castrol is approved as well?! Thoughts on that brand? https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06244...omotive&sr=1-2 |
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08-31-2020, 09:46 AM | #6 |
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Its probably the same as mine since yours is also an F25 but to be sure, just look in your owners manual, mine is listed on page 216 and gives a range of weights and recommends Castrol. SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 and 5W-30. The first digit, 0 or 5 is the base weight of the oil when not at operating temp and the last digit, 30 or 40 is what the weight becomes at operating temp so you can decide based on where you live. I see you are in Chicago, the cold and windy city, I would go with the 0W-40 if it was me.
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08-31-2020, 11:27 AM | #7 |
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agree with marty, 0w-40 would be a great choice
personally, I use this one https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06244...ve&sr=1-2&th=1 (hard to beat for $20-$22 a jug) |
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08-31-2020, 12:07 PM | #8 | |
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08-31-2020, 12:11 PM | #9 | |
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08-31-2020, 12:17 PM | #11 |
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08-31-2020, 12:30 PM | #12 |
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08-31-2020, 12:46 PM | #13 |
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08-31-2020, 01:14 PM | #14 |
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I don't pay attention to it, I just look at the level in iDrive and when I see it come off Max, I put 1/2 quart in and it goes back to Max. However, my X3 is used for long trips, like 1,200 mile one way and the only time the level comes off Max is during those trips. I took a 3,000 mile trip with it and the same thing happened.
Sorry, probably not much help if you use yours around town. |
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08-31-2020, 01:40 PM | #15 | |
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08-31-2020, 02:00 PM | #16 |
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I asked the BMW service guy one time why my car should consume any oil. I said I see the level in iDrive come off Max, I don't see any drippings or leaking whatsoever and I don't see or smell it burning. Does it just magically disappear??? He assured me its normal for turbo engines, I didn't believe him. Well, I think I do now since my wife's new GTi does the same thing - ugh.
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08-31-2020, 02:06 PM | #17 |
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I don't put a whole lot of confidence in an LL01 oil being any different from any other modern equivalent weight oil as they are all now designed for direct injection turbo vehicles with the latest SN Plus/SP designations.
I'm personally using Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 in my B58 M40 and will do the same in my N55 F25. As for consumption, evaporative losses will happen especially on extended drives and will account for some consumption..but as the vehicles ages it's inevitable that more blow by will cause more consumption as well. |
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08-31-2020, 03:29 PM | #18 |
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Walmart anybody?
I use this Castrol 5w-40. You can get it at Walmart for $22.38 and it states LL-01 on the container.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Castrol-E...arts/145736795 |
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08-31-2020, 04:14 PM | #19 |
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08-31-2020, 08:15 PM | #20 | |
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It all depends on testing and if a company wants to pursue the certification. If you're curious, go to Castrol website and burn a couple hours looking at the oil product data sheets. I did a while back and you can learn a lot. They chase different certifications for different oils based on how they want to market it is my take away. Also FWIW the LL01 spec 0W-30 and 0W-40 have near identical viscosity when at 100C and the _W-30 LL01 is nearly a _W-40 weight oil compared to other 30's. IMO the most important thing is quality detergents, excellent cold flow performance, and shorter than recommended oil changes. The BMW factory interval is just asking for trouble if you want to keep the vehicle long term.
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09-10-2020, 12:36 AM | #21 | |
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factory interval
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this is NOT true at all. BMW has ran tests on their oil and I have even sent in a sample of oil from a BMW computer interval oil change. and the BMW dealership oil, as Blackstone Labs states, "can go even longer" than the 12k mile interval that I went to. I replaced the oil with about 700 miles left. Used 0w-30 and topped off about 1 qt between the 12k. And the computer does adjust for conditions but it is safe to use and will not ask for trouble. |
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09-10-2020, 07:23 AM | #22 | |
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