kevesp

My '05 525i with 83K is coming up to be due for another oil change within the next few weeks. I've been looking around for good oil to use for it but need some suggestions/opinions.

The last oil change I did I used Mobil 1 0W40 Advanced Full Synthetic European Car Formula. It seems like a good oil, but a friend of mine told me he uses Liqui Moly in his Audi so I looked at saw a couple of options that would be good for my car:

Liqui Moly 2039 Longtime High Tech 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (BMW LL04)
Liqui Moly 2332 Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 Engine Oil (BMW LL01)

Is Liqui Moly a good brand to use and if so, any of the two above better or best to use for my car? Or are there better ones anyone would recommend besides Liqui Moly or Mobil 1?

What about oil filters? Any recommendations on that? Been using Fram Tough Guard TG8081.

ripley

If its LL01 (or LL04 for my car) I'll use it. I change oil around the half way point in any case.

I've used Valvoline and Penrite and the car ran fine with no noticeable oil loss or change the the engine running.

Never really sure what the underlying basis is for one oil over another in a road car when they both are approved by the manufacturer.

If you take out all the unsubstantiated marketing hype there are often only two things left - the spec (LL01) and the price.

jtbgonesailing

Use whatever flavor oil you like. However, use one with the LL01 certification. LL04 is for Diesels and gasoline engines running on Ultra Low Sulfur fuel. Diesel in the US and Canada meets this criteria. Our gasoline, in the US and Canada, do not meet this criteria, therefore use LL01 certified oil.

kevesp

I think 5W-30 is recommended for the car, is 5-40 okay to use? I plan on buying the Liqui Moly 2332 Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 Engine Oil since it's LL01 certified. I've never really checked what the Mobil 1 0W-40 is.

What about oil filters any suggestions on the better-best ones to use?

ripley

I usually get the genuine ones since the price difference is small in Australia.

In the past however I did buy a bunch of Hengst filters online since they were cheap for a six pack are a supplier to BMW.

I usually buy a few oil changes worth of oil if it is heavily discounted - stores sometime have 30-40% off rrp. I think I have oil for three changes at the moment.

Your user manual should say if 5-40 is OK

lcc014

Mobil 1 0W40 from day 1. This is one of the approved oil by BMW.

FormerE30Owner

Mobil 1 0W40 no longer carries the LL01, but that doesn't mean that it isn't OK for your engine. It still carries the Porche A40 spec, which is equivalent to the BMW LL01. On the oils that you see BMW LL01 you will also the A40 spec.

Kevesp, Why do want to switch, when what you have been using is perfectly OK?

I get the oil that meets the BMWLL01 or Porche A40 at the best price at the time that I wish to change oil.
Salut, Bob P.

gmak

Not much difference between 5W30 and 5W40. I've used both in my 530xi. If you're changing your oil frequently, so long as it's synthetic - it doesn't matter as much if it's LL01 or not. The LL01 is a rating that indicates longer times between oil changes. I've even used Castrol 5W40 and 0W40 (winter oil for me).



As to oil filters - Mann, Bosch, BMW are all good.

FormerE30Owner

The Castrol 0W40 sold in Canada is LL01, I believe. In fact I think that it is marked as "European formula".

kevesp

I just want to make sure I'm putting in the best oil I can to keep my engine running smoothly I want to keep my running for as long as I can possibly make it, that's all

Thanks for the input guys!