hi all I have a 525 e60 and idrive saying I need to top up by 1 litre what oil do I put in

 

Any synthetic that meets BWM LL-01. Go to the local auto parts store and get a quart of something 5W-30 or 0W-40 that is synthetic and says BMW LL-01 on the label.

 

thank u very much for your help but for bmw oil in Irelandl is only main dealer

 

Getting a liter at the local dealer is fine. Where do you get oil if you want to change your own oil? I'm guessing the local place that has oil has one or more synthetics and one has BMW LL-01.

 

ok I will call main dealer and c what they charge I get my oils from motor factors but only got this car

 

which one is better for 530i? 5W-30 or 0W40?

 

You should read the owners manual, get to know your car. If you don't have one they are downloadable from BMW's website.

 

Depending upon oil brand, there is usually not a huge difference between the two. Oil grade number (second number) refer to ranges of viscosity, not fixed numbers. The first number or Winter grade is developed by measuring the force required to crank an engine filled with oil at a low temperature in a special test engine to a specified RPM.

For instance M1 0W-40 is remarkably close to the BMW 5W-30 @ 100degC.

I like the M1 0W-40 for its good HTHS number, availability and low price in US ($5/qt), but really ANY name brand synthetic of either grade will do an excellent job of protecting your engine AS LONG AS YOU CHANGE IT WHILE ADDITIVES ARE STILL PRESENT, meaning the oil is still doing its job.