Motor oil question

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Nov 24, 2009 | 08:47 AM

Bimmer28

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I'm about to do my first oil change on my wifes 04 530i and my question is can i replace the oil with mobil1 or castrol full syntetic or does it have to be the BMW oil brand only? thanks guys...

Nov 24, 2009 | 10:23 AM

tooltec

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer28' post='1061669' date='Nov 24 2009, 05:47 PM

I'm about to do my first oil change on my wifes 04 530i and my question is can i replace the oil with mobil1 or castrol full syntetic or does it have to be the BMW oil brand only? thanks guys...

You can use either provided that the label shows that it meets the relevant BMW specification ,i.e. BMW LL-01 or BMW LL-04.Your owner handbook should specify the one applicable to your country.BMW recommend Castrol,but there are a number of synthetic oils which meet their specifications,I double checked by asking BMW if the oil I was about to use was on their approval list.Unfortunately,they seem reluctant to publish the list,but they did confirm that my choice was O.K.

Nov 24, 2009 | 03:21 PM

AchtungE60

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer28' post='1061669' date='Nov 24 2009, 12:47 PM

I'm about to do my first oil change on my wifes 04 530i and my question is can i replace the oil with mobil1 or castrol full syntetic or does it have to be the BMW oil brand only? thanks guys...

I'd go with Mobil 1 over Castrol but seeming that oil prices have jumped and you can still get a Group III +IV blend (Napa Gold Fully Syn 5W30) for $3.29 a quart at Napa.......I'd go with something in between (Napa) If you use the 15,000 mi intervals i'd stick with the BMW LL oil.

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