Engine oil recommendation
04-10-2009, 01:49 AM
#11
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE London/Kent Borders (UK)
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='842444' date='Apr 10 2009, 03:34 AM
Sorry but you've mistaken my finely developed sense of humor for caustic sarcasm 
... you'd have to know me better!
Motor oil is one BMW bodily fluid where looking for a bargain brand is tooooo risky and potentially very expensive. So, especially the case, no matter how oil specs are marketed, where I'd want a "respected brand" oil. Better to try and save money elsewhere.
... you'd have to know me better! Motor oil is one BMW bodily fluid where looking for a bargain brand is tooooo risky and potentially very expensive. So, especially the case, no matter how oil specs are marketed, where I'd want a "respected brand" oil. Better to try and save money elsewhere.
All comments are welcome, and I now hear where you're coming from.
I'm not denying that it's sometimes best to go for the comfort and status of a top brand name like Castrol or Mobil. But in my experience it is sometimes just badge snobbery that means people go for these names, rather than a true discernible increase in quality.
Answer me this.......... why would BMW grant approval to these lower level brands (all the ones that I have mentioned), if they did not match up to their stringent standards. I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the oil brands go through some sort of testing and approval process by BMW themselves, before a manufacturer can claim BMW LL04 (or whatever) compliance.
I think the top brand companies, and I'm not just talking about engine oils here, sometimes take us uninitiated customers for a ride...........A trip to the STEALERS - is proof of this. I for one would not dream of asking my BMW dealer to diagnose a fault (at the risk of them charging me ???$$$)...... without checking experiences of other members on this forum first.
04-10-2009, 02:50 AM
#12
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE London/Kent Borders (UK)
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by mhs525' post='842418' date='Apr 10 2009, 02:52 AM
BMW's engines are high tech and expensive. I always use BMW approved oil from the dealer or Red Line which Turner Mototsport uses in their race cars.
I have read Motul is quality, Texaco Havoline is stuff you buy at the discount store where I live, never heard of Fuchs.
I try and find a good price on the best oil.
I have read Motul is quality, Texaco Havoline is stuff you buy at the discount store where I live, never heard of Fuchs.
I try and find a good price on the best oil.
Fuchs Titan...........Apparently it's the oil of choice for Audi RS4 owners.......second only to Castrol Edge.
04-10-2009, 02:55 AM
#13
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 E61 530d M-Sport.
Fuchs is the parent company Silkolene which has its high performance oils regarded as some of the best oils you can get.
As long as the oil is LL04 then get the cheapest as they all meet the requirements set down by BMW and the tollerances are so tight there will be next to no difference in them.
As long as the oil is LL04 then get the cheapest as they all meet the requirements set down by BMW and the tollerances are so tight there will be next to no difference in them.
04-10-2009, 03:32 AM
#14
Members
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Gudge' post='842749' date='Apr 10 2009, 05:49 AM
Hi there. No probs.
All comments are welcome, and I now hear where you're coming from.
I'm not denying that it's sometimes best to go for the comfort and status of a top brand name like Castrol or Mobil. But in my experience it is sometimes just badge snobbery that means people go for these names, rather than a true discernible increase in quality.
Answer me this.......... why would BMW grant approval to these lower level brands (all the ones that I have mentioned), if they did not match up to their stringent standards. I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the oil brands go through some sort of testing and approval process by BMW themselves, before a manufacturer can claim BMW LL04 (or whatever) compliance.
I think the top brand companies, and I'm not just talking about engine oils here, sometimes take us uninitiated customers for a ride...........A trip to the STEALERS - is proof of this. I for one would not dream of asking my BMW dealer to diagnose a fault (at the risk of them charging me ???$$$)...... without checking experiences of other members on this forum first.
All comments are welcome, and I now hear where you're coming from.
I'm not denying that it's sometimes best to go for the comfort and status of a top brand name like Castrol or Mobil. But in my experience it is sometimes just badge snobbery that means people go for these names, rather than a true discernible increase in quality.
Answer me this.......... why would BMW grant approval to these lower level brands (all the ones that I have mentioned), if they did not match up to their stringent standards. I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the oil brands go through some sort of testing and approval process by BMW themselves, before a manufacturer can claim BMW LL04 (or whatever) compliance.
I think the top brand companies, and I'm not just talking about engine oils here, sometimes take us uninitiated customers for a ride...........A trip to the STEALERS - is proof of this. I for one would not dream of asking my BMW dealer to diagnose a fault (at the risk of them charging me ???$$$)...... without checking experiences of other members on this forum first.
04-10-2009, 03:37 AM
#15
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE London/Kent Borders (UK)
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Dandle' post='842777' date='Apr 10 2009, 11:55 AM
Fuchs is the parent company Silkolene which has its high performance oils regarded as some of the best oils you can get.
As long as the oil is LL04 then get the cheapest as they all meet the requirements set down by BMW and the tollerances are so tight there will be next to no difference in them.
As long as the oil is LL04 then get the cheapest as they all meet the requirements set down by BMW and the tollerances are so tight there will be next to no difference in them.
04-10-2009, 10:39 AM
#16
Senior Members
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Irving, TX (DFW)
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 05 545i 6MT
In the US, BMW "recommends" 15K miles interval oil change on their "approved" oil.
If I were to use "common/no brand" synthetic oil, I'd reduce the oil change interval to 5- 7.5K miles and do an oil analysis to confirm its performance and effects.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Based on the oil brand and type sold here in the US, the "approved" oil are usually better synthetic vs the regular synthetic available at common auto store.
For ex: German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0w-40 European Formula
(these two are BMW approved and tend to be way more expensive than regular 5w-30s synthetic Mobil 1 or even Castrol.
If I were to use "common/no brand" synthetic oil, I'd reduce the oil change interval to 5- 7.5K miles and do an oil analysis to confirm its performance and effects.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Based on the oil brand and type sold here in the US, the "approved" oil are usually better synthetic vs the regular synthetic available at common auto store.
For ex: German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0w-40 European Formula
(these two are BMW approved and tend to be way more expensive than regular 5w-30s synthetic Mobil 1 or even Castrol.
04-10-2009, 05:19 PM
#17
Members
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2010 535d with all the trimmings
Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='842607' date='Apr 10 2009, 01:14 AM
If you are referring to viscosity the picture below is from BMW's owner's manual for model year 2004.
There are several acceptable motor oils that meet or exceed BMW's specifications. My point on this post was that shopping to save a few dollars on motor oil now only opens the door for expensive repairs later. In my experience [maintaining my cars in the USA] that the difference between a top brand name oil and a no-name/discount brand is less than $25 for # quarts of oil required to complete the service. If you do the math, that's probably a couple of pennies / mile.
I've used full synthetics [matching or exceeding BMW specs as noted from my owners manual] including Mobil 1 Extended, Castrol Syntec, or BMW Oil [especially when my dealer has a discount coupon] ... recently bought a few quarts of Pennzoil Platinum for one of my other cars. Others have recommended some more exotic synthetics from Red Line and Amsoil.
There are several acceptable motor oils that meet or exceed BMW's specifications. My point on this post was that shopping to save a few dollars on motor oil now only opens the door for expensive repairs later. In my experience [maintaining my cars in the USA] that the difference between a top brand name oil and a no-name/discount brand is less than $25 for # quarts of oil required to complete the service. If you do the math, that's probably a couple of pennies / mile.
I've used full synthetics [matching or exceeding BMW specs as noted from my owners manual] including Mobil 1 Extended, Castrol Syntec, or BMW Oil [especially when my dealer has a discount coupon] ... recently bought a few quarts of Pennzoil Platinum for one of my other cars. Others have recommended some more exotic synthetics from Red Line and Amsoil.
I agree with your sentiments on the quality of oil, my preference is the "top shelf" when it comes to oils and replacment parts for that matter.
Of course the main big brands can be sought cheaper with no loss of quality too, I'm all for saving a few notes when possible.
IMO I wouldn't skmp on the quality side, the money will come back to you through performance and fuel economy anyway.
04-11-2009, 01:11 AM
#18
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE London/Kent Borders (UK)
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by salaki' post='843254' date='Apr 10 2009, 07:39 PM
In the US, BMW "recommends" 15K miles interval oil change on their "approved" oil.
If I were to use "common/no brand" synthetic oil, I'd reduce the oil change interval to 5- 7.5K miles and do an oil analysis to confirm its performance and effects.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Based on the oil brand and type sold here in the US, the "approved" oil are usually better synthetic vs the regular synthetic available at common auto store.
For ex: German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0w-40 European Formula
(these two are BMW approved and tend to be way more expensive than regular 5w-30s synthetic Mobil 1 or even Castrol.
If I were to use "common/no brand" synthetic oil, I'd reduce the oil change interval to 5- 7.5K miles and do an oil analysis to confirm its performance and effects.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/
Based on the oil brand and type sold here in the US, the "approved" oil are usually better synthetic vs the regular synthetic available at common auto store.
For ex: German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0w-40 European Formula
(these two are BMW approved and tend to be way more expensive than regular 5w-30s synthetic Mobil 1 or even Castrol.
I would never dream of putting oil in my car that did not comform to the manufacturers correct viscosity or approval standards.
I would not recommend that you contemplate using any oil that does not conform to the correct BMW LL04 or BMLL01 approval status.
04-11-2009, 01:13 AM
#19
Senior Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE London/Kent Borders (UK)
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by roadrunner' post='843658' date='Apr 11 2009, 02:19 AM
Thanks Luigi,
I agree with your sentiments on the quality of oil, my preference is the "top shelf" when it comes to oils and replacment parts for that matter.
Of course the main big brands can be sought cheaper with no loss of quality too, I'm all for saving a few notes when possible.
IMO I wouldn't skmp on the quality side, the money will come back to you through performance and fuel economy anyway.
I agree with your sentiments on the quality of oil, my preference is the "top shelf" when it comes to oils and replacment parts for that matter.
Of course the main big brands can be sought cheaper with no loss of quality too, I'm all for saving a few notes when possible.
IMO I wouldn't skmp on the quality side, the money will come back to you through performance and fuel economy anyway.
04-11-2009, 01:39 AM
#20
Contributors
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, UK.
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 07 E61 530d M-Sport.
It all depends on where you are in the world and what price BMW get on different oils there. Dealers in the UK seem to be using Mobil1 but BMW paperwork recommends Castrol Edge. It depends on the price of the oil as to what the service centre use. As long as it conforms to LL01 or LL04 there will be very little difference in oils, the tollerances are so tight it doesnt matter how much it cost they are all the same pretty much. I was told that Audi use a Fuchs oil running in oil from the factory yet they also recommend Castrol edge(different one to BMW) as you top up oil. I dont know what BMW use from the factory though but I doubt its the same as you get when the car is serviced.