Engine Oil Q!

It's bs about LL01, if oil change every 5-7 thousand miles. Also with Mobil 5W-30 I6 doesn't have valve noise during morning start ups. Me and my friend did a lot oil change (with LL01 spec. all recommended and just LL01 spec) to find right one that will eliminate this crazy sound, and Mobil 1 5W-30 is winner, best oil for normal usage. We tried Castrol, Pennzoil (not LL01 , different viscosities) same effect as BMW oil.
So don't bother yourself to spend a lot many just buy case in Costco and you good to go, believe me. We did this for last 3 years of testing.

Originally Posted by phlfly

It's bs about LL01, if oil change every 5-7 thousand miles. Also with Mobil 5W-30 I6 doesn't have valve noise during morning start ups. Me and my friend did a lot oil change (with LL01 spec. all recommended and just LL01 spec) to find right one that will eliminate this crazy sound, and Mobil 1 5W-30 is winner, best oil for normal usage. We tried Castrol, Pennzoil (not LL01 , different viscosities) same effect as BMW oil.
So don't bother yourself to spend a lot many just buy case in Costco and you good to go, believe me. We did this for last 3 years of testing.

Thanks for your input phlfly, and can I confirm that you meant LL04 and LL01 as BMW spec below says LL04. Also, which filters did you guys used?

Longlife-04 engine oil SAE 0W-40
Trade name BMW part number Container size
BMW engine oil Longlife-04 83 21 0 398 504 1 litre

Longlife-04 engine oil SAE 5W-30
Trade name BMW part number Container size
BMW engine oil Longlife-04 83 21 0 398 507 1 litre

Anyway, so far the list is below;
1. Castrol Edge Titanium 0W40 oil + BMW oil filter
2. Mobil 1 0W-40 + Hengst Filters
3. Mobil 1 5W-30 (claimed to be tested best)

BMW LL-04 are not formulated for the US Market/Caribbean/South America.
They are formulated for certain european countries which have higher quality gas.

Stick to LL-01. I've used Shell Helix Ultra 0W-40 and Mobil 1 0W-40 and even non LL-01 on an older BMW (E39) and they have never given me any problems.

Guys, thanks for contributing and list is so far below, but please don't forget to mention the filter combination.

1. Castrol Edge Titanium 0W40 oil + BMW oil filter
2. Mobil 1 0W-40 + Hengst Filters
3. Mobil 1 5W-30 (claimed to be tested best)
4. Shell Helix Ultra 0W-40

Does anyone know if the original BMW LL04 oil is from Castrol or Mobil 1?

Everything I've read including BITOG says BMW oil is Castrol.But it's an HC oil.I am currently using GC 0w30.Only PAO oils sold here I can easily get is this one and Mobil 1 0w-40.

I stop by BITOG occasionally.
Rollin w Lubrication Engineers 8531 TetraSyn 5W30, Mann Filter

Originally Posted by todd92

Do not EVER crawl under a car with only a jack supporting it.



Says who? Use an LL-01 oil and live happily ever after. Don't insist others need to waste their time and money because you are an over-maintainer.

I just changed the oil in my 330i for the 7th time at 121,000 miles and the inside is clean and deposit free. Runs as new.

Call me an over-maintainer, but if you're aware of the valve stem seal and guide issues with the V8s, you'll understand the need to cut the change interval in half. I can deal with doubling up on oil changes vs. paying $4500 for head work.
Also, if I had a 535, I'd definitely change the oil more frequently being that it's turbocharged. BMW's 15K interval is simply a clever way to cover as few "free" oil changes within the 4yr maintenance period as possible...

Originally Posted by jim165

Call me an over-maintainer, but if you're aware of the valve stem seal and guide issues with the V8s, you'll understand the need to cut the change interval in half. I can deal with doubling up on oil changes vs. paying $4500 for head work.
Also, if I had a 535, I'd definitely change the oil more frequently being that it's turbocharged. BMW's 15K interval is simply a clever way to cover as few "free" oil changes within the 4yr maintenance period as possible...

Agree 100%, did my own valve seals.Exhaust side seals bad,more heat on these valves maybe?PAO better at heat dissipation?Better oil cooling from fresher oil and PAO is my theory.Hope seal last longer than the factory 80k did.

I also use regular Formula Shell 5W-30 on an E39. No issues so far.
On my E60 it's between Shell Helix Ultra 0W-40 or Mobil 1 0W-40 with BMW OEM Mann Filters.

I use and have read on other threads that Castrol makes the BMW branded Synthetic motor oil. Many BMW enthusiasts are opting for the Castrol Edge with SPT 0W30 European formula. It will say "Imported from Germany" on the back. It apparently has better high heat anti-shearing properties and been independently tested to be better than the BMW LL01 motor oil. You can buy it on sale at AutoZone by the quart on occassion. My 545 take 8.5 quarts of oil so it isn't a cheap oil change job at all. I used to use exclusively Mobil 1 0w30 on my e39 528i. But since moving to the bigger engine and heat being an issue, I wanted to make sure I was putting in the best Synthetic I could get. I live in Tampa, FL area so it is hotter climate for most of the year.

As long as you are using a quality oil and changing frequently 5K to 7500 miles, your engine will love you back. 15K BMW intervals are just too hard on the gaskets and other seals. If you stay more frequent with the changes then you'll notice fewer maint problems over the long run.

Originally Posted by UltimateDriving

BMW LL-04 are not formulated for the US Market/Caribbean/South America.
They are formulated for certain european countries which have higher quality gas.

Stick to LL-01. I've used Shell Helix Ultra 0W-40 and Mobil 1 0W-40 and even non LL-01 on an older BMW (E39) and they have never given me any problems.

Here is Oz, Mobil 1 5W30 comes in two version, normal 5W30 which is LL01 and ESP Formula 5W30 which is LL04. Anyone know which is better out of these two?

BMW LL-04 oils are ONLY recommended for a couple countries in Europe, for the rest of the world BMW recommends using BMW LL-01 oil.
BMW LL-04 oils are specced for low Sulphur, Phosphorus and Sulphated Ashes gas which is only available in some Europe countries.

But still, if i'm not mistaken you can use Mobil 1 ESP on your BMW engine.