Using LL-01 oil in 335d for more frequent oil changes

Fellow Bimmerians, I read here somewhere that the main reason LL-04 is recommended for 335d owners is the long oil change interval, otherwise LL-01 would be just fine. I am going to be doing my first oil change soon at the 7,500 mile mark, and it certainly is easier to find LL-01 oils around here including 5 liter jugs of Castrol 5W30 SPT Synthetic on Amazon. Is there any reason not to use 5W30 SPT? Thanks, James

Originally Posted by jfxogara

Fellow Bimmerians, I read here somewhere that the main reason LL-04 is recommended for 335d owners is the long oil change interval, otherwise LL-01 would be just fine. I am going to be doing my first oil change soon at the 7,500 mile mark, and it certainly is easier to find LL-01 oils around here including 5 liter jugs of Castrol 5W30 SPT Synthetic on Amazon. Is there any reason not to use 5W30 SPT? Thanks, James

Both are long life oils but do not use LL01. It's not low-SAPS and therefore it will cause premature plugging of your DPF. Use Castrol SLX OE (dealer avail) or M1 ESP 5w30.

LL01 = A3/B4
LL04 = A3/B4/C3

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At NAPA store (in USA) there is the German Liqui-Moly "Top Tec 4100" and "Top Tec 4200". They are BMW LL04 approved, suitable for DIESEL and low SAPS. They also carry the oil filter and if are a AAA member, you can get a discount.

Originally Posted by jfxogara

Fellow Bimmerians, I read here somewhere that the main reason LL-04 is recommended for 335d owners is the long oil change interval, otherwise LL-01 would be just fine.

James, that is not the reason for using LL04. LL04 (as mentioned in the previous posts) is a low SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus, Sulfur) oil, and if you use the LL01 oil, you'll kill your DPF (diesel particulate filter) which will cost $1000+ to replace. It is not worth it to use the LL01.

Great advice thanks guys.

Just curious why the engine oil would hurt your DPF? Unless your engine is actually burning oil-it would never make it to the DPF. I know every engine burns a little bit of oil over time, but that seems pretty insignificant doesnt it?

Originally Posted by CLCL

Just curious why the engine oil would hurt your DPF? Unless your engine is actually burning oil-it would never make it to the DPF. I know every engine burns a little bit of oil over time, but that seems pretty insignificant doesnt it?

Metallic additives found in motor oil will not burn off in the DPF. As a result the service life is severely curtailed and this equipment must last for X-years in order to meet emissions warranty. It's such a big deal that the ACEA created an additional cert (Cx) for DPF friendly oils. I also might add that these oils are also used in some gassers for same reason (protect TWC)

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Napa sells a Valvoline oil that meets LL04
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf

I've seen this at Walmart too.

Originally Posted by d geek

Napa sells a Valvoline oil that meets LL04
http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/synpower.pdf

I've seen this at Walmart too.

dgeek thanks.

Looks like NAPA carries the Valvoline in 5W40 weight -- can we use that in our 335d's?

Originally Posted by jfxogara

Looks like NAPA carries the Valvoline in 5W40 weight -- can we use that in our 335d's?

Technically, the LL04 spec only includes 5W30, the 5W40 weight meets the Mercedes spec ( which is somewhat more robust than BMW's spec). It's your call on the oil weight, that's as much a can of worms as some other topics like fuel additives and oil change interval.

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl

I also might add that these oils are also used in some gassers for same reason (protect TWC)

IIRC, LL04 is the spec for gassers in Europe and some other countries. It is specifically NOT recommended for gassers in the U.S., owing to the difference in our gas versus other parts of the world.

What about AMSOIL they also have DIESEL oil, thats my next step

Originally Posted by Axel61

What about AMSOIL they also have DIESEL oil, thats my next step

You only have Amsoil's word that it works: note the word "recommended". They refuse to actually go to the expense of having BMW independently approve it.

They're no cheaper than anyone else, why bother with them?

I have used them for over 20 years on gassers but not DIESELS but I willing to bet that they are good but its like comparing Gasoline companies to prove each other in whom has the better quality gas!! No one that im aware of has made a test to see which gas is better than the other

Originally Posted by Axel61

... No one that im aware of has made a test to see which gas is better than the other

Actually, BMW has. Their test (removing head on new engine, weighing valves, replacing head and running for some number of miles, then removing head and re-weighing valves) is one of the two (the other is Ford IIRC) used to judge the effectiveness of gasoline additives/deposit control.

Toptiergas.com spec is a result.

Originally Posted by 62Lincoln

Technically, the LL04 spec only includes 5W30, the 5W40 weight meets the Mercedes spec ( which is somewhat more robust than BMW's spec). It's your call on the oil weight, that's as much a can of worms as some other topics like fuel additives and oil change interval.

This is innaccurate. LL04 is not restricted to 5W30 as seen by the fact that several oil manufacturers make a 5W40 meeting the LL04 spec.
Pentosin
Motul

Originally Posted by 62Lincoln

Technically, the LL04 spec only includes 5W30, the 5W40 weight meets the Mercedes spec ( which is somewhat more robust than BMW's spec). It's your call on the oil weight, that's as much a can of worms as some other topics like fuel additives and oil change interval.

Motul has some 40w LL04 if you want it. Castrol does as well but it's overseas purchase.

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I heard Motul was pretty good

Originally Posted by d geek

This is innaccurate. LL04 is not restricted to 5W30 as seen by the fact that several oil manufacturers make a 5W40 meeting the LL04 spec.
Pentosin
Motul

Sorry for the bad info on the 5W-30, I'm not sure why I remembered it that way. I think it used to be that LL04 oil only came as 5W-30, maybe BMW have expanded the spec to 5W-40? Regardless, it's nice to know they approve both weights.

Originally Posted by 62Lincoln

Sorry for the bad info on the 5W-30, I'm not sure why I remembered it that way. I think it used to be that LL04 oil only came as 5W-30, maybe BMW have expanded the spec to 5W-40? Regardless, it's nice to know they approve both weights.

VW507 is only 30w. Maybe thats what you were thinking?

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