[newyorkgabe]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

I'm researching the topic (oil choice) myself too now, as so far the car maintenance had been covered by BMW.

One thing for sure - giving oil recommendation blindly is always wrong - it depends on your environmental conditions, driving style, engine mileage, symptoms (if any), tune, etc. etc. So if anyone tells you "use that oil" or a particular viscosity without knowing your specific use-case - ignore him!

I will share my thoughts so far:

I did collect info about what my BMW dealership has used so far on my car and it was the BMW Twin Power Turbo 0W30 oil.
Since I live in a relatively cold climate, I don't drive the car as a daily, especially in the winter, however do go to the mountains couple of times during the cold season where the car is started at temperatures down to -15 deg C, I like the idea of 0W cold viscosity. I have been running my Audi happily with 0W40 for years.
I however, based on the information available, incl. kern417's video, think that W40 is too much or at least unnecessarily thick for B58 with a low mileage, irrespective of whether tuned or not. Hence I am planning to stick with 0W30 as a very suitable for my usage viscosity. As plan B I am considering 5W30, but I feel 0W30 would make more sense. (And there was probably a reason why this was chosen by the local BMW representation too.)

Now so far I have identified two main candidates, which comply with BMW's LL-04 spec:

• Shell Helix Ultra ECT 0W-30
• Castrol EDGE 0W-30

Ravenol is a very beloved brand for the B58 in Germany, featuring some well-marketed racing oils like the Ravenol REP 5W30, which is also BMW LL-04, however even if I push the car sometimes, I don't really race it (yet). Unfortunately Ravenol do not have a 0W30 which is BMW approved.

It should be noted that BMW don't manufacture oil... so the 0W30 they sell is most likely a Shell/Castrol/LiquiMoly/etc. LL-04 rebranded oil...

Any thoughts, comments or suggestions - appreciated.

I ended up getting (2) 6 packs of the Castrol OW-30 Euro blend since its LL approved. Was rushing a little to since I wanna do the oil change this weekend. Didn't have much luck finding a single quart online or last night at AdvancedAutoParts. Their system was also weird with finding that blend.

Pretty happy with my decision - especially since off of Amazon.

[Nickski06]

Originally Posted by newyorkgabe

I ended up getting (2) 6 packs of the Castrol OW-30 Euro blend since its LL approved. Was rushing a little to since I wanna do the oil change this weekend. Didn't have much luck finding a single quart online or last night at AdvancedAutoParts. Their system was also weird with finding that blend.

Pretty happy with my decision - especially since off of Amazon.

I think 0W-30 is not easy to find in the US. 0W-40 is more common and that's what I runn

[newyorkgabe]

Originally Posted by Nickski06

I think 0W-30 is not easy to find in the US. 0W-40 is more common and that's what I runn

Does it matter that car manual calls for 0W-20 or 0W-30? stupid question but I never did this much research for my passat oil changes lol.

[Skyhigh]

0W30 is relatively exotic in Europe too, as viscosity. 0W40 and 5W30 are way more common.

[AspektUSA]

With synthetic oil, 0w-30 vs 5w-30 isn't much of a concern.

Unless you daily your BMW in the far reaches of Norway or Canada.

[Skyhigh]

Norway here. Hi 👋😁

[Nickski06]

Originally Posted by newyorkgabe

Does it matter that car manual calls for 0W-20 or 0W-30? stupid question but I never did this much research for my passat oil changes lol.

It calls for 0W-20 all the way up to 15W-40. As long as it meets the spec and right for your climate and application. Lots of guys running high boost use 15W-40.

[Skyhigh]

And that’s the point - there is no one-fits-all solution when it comes to oil.
Hence why there is a range available.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by rlrbmw

Thanks, not to be a pain, but (I'm old and) I searched kern417 to find the video and couldn't. Can you share the link?

This one:
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1966435

[Wires]

Originally Posted by Nickski06

I think 0W-30 is not easy to find in the US. 0W-40 is more common and that's what I runn

Same in Canada. As a note though, the further the spread in range, the "harder" it is on the oil to maintain the range. It starts as 0W oil, and modifiers cause it to thicken to a 30W or 40W based on temperature.

If you are heavily tuned, it's just something to consider.

[newyorkgabe]

So an updated.

Got my Castrol Ow-30 Euro Car blend from Amazon but it doesn't list the BB LongLife-01 spec on it. Amazon pic showed it. Same blend and everything but doesn't list same specs.

Does it matter or oil is oil? Just a double check since I have 2 days before I do my change (waiting on filter).

[schernov]

Castrol was BMW approved supplier for years. Then they had a fall out for 4-5 years when Shell won the contract. Subsequently, Castrol got it back. You probably got the oil made during the time it was not BMW certified, although the formular had not changed.

[Skyhigh]

Get the data sheet of the oil online, from Castrol’s webpage! If it lists BMW’s approval - you are fine. Make sure it is exactly the same oil though.

If not - I’d be cautious about using it. Oil is not oil, although your car will not explode if you use it.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

So? LL tells you is that a royalty was paid to put it on the label. Castrol LL17 FE+ has ACEA C5, API SP approval. Castrol Edge:
Meets or exceeds API SP/SN PLUS/SN
Meets or exceeds ILSAC GF-6
Meets or exceeds ACEA A1/B1, ACEA C5
Meets or exceeds GM dexos 1 Gen 3
Meets Ford WSS-M2C947-B1
Meets Ford WSS-M2C962-A1
Meets or exceeds Fiat 9.55535-CR1, 9.55535-GSX
Meets or exceeds MB 229.71

Read the descriptions for both on the Castrol site. They probably are identical, except for the cost of that BMW royalty.

BMW doesn't charge royalty fees. I don't know where people get this information. The blender pays for the tests and it's not expensive.

[Wires]

When I bought oil the change before, BMW branded bottles of LL rated oil wasn't any more expensive that other brands of non-LL rated oil (Mobil, Castrol, Quakerstake, etc). They all were about the same price.

It's just harder to find that euro spec oil in North America -- unless it's 0W40 if I recall.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by newyorkgabe

Does it matter that car manual calls for 0W-20 or 0W-30? stupid question but I never did this much research for my passat oil changes lol.

No it doesn't.

BMW like all automakers became extremely sensitive to fuel efficiency. BMW responded in a couple of ways when it came to choice of lubricant. First they started using and recommending "FE" oils for existing engines such as the N20, N55, etc. These were slightly thinner 30w and some 20w (N20). Second, they wanted the new B-series engines to be able to use 20w as factory fill. Because of this focus on fuel efficiency and the fact that these cars were certified on the thinner oils, BMWNA will never recommend the heavier LL04/LL01 oils for the current lineup. 0w16 is around the corner.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by newyorkgabe

So an updated.

Got my Castrol Ow-30 Euro Car blend from Amazon but it doesn't list the BB LongLife-01 spec on it. Amazon pic showed it. Same blend and everything but doesn't list same specs.

Does it matter or oil is oil? Just a double check since I have 2 days before I do my change (waiting on filter).

Could be old stock.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

No it doesn't.

BMW like all automakers became extremely sensitive to fuel efficiency. BMW responded in a couple of ways when it came to choice of lubricant. First they started using and recommending "FE" oils for existing engines such as the N20, N55, etc. These were slightly thinner 30w and some 20w (N20). Second, they wanted the new B-series engines to be able to use 20w as factory fill. Because of this focus on fuel efficiency and the fact that these cars were certified on the thinner oils, BMWNA will never recommend the heavier LL04/LL01 oils for the current lineup. 0w16 is around the corner.

And that is not necessarily a bad thing if you ask me. If an engine is designed and manufactured to run with W20, then why force W40!? What for? Better fuel efficiency = better engine efficiency = better engine performance. Just because your old Ford engine ran on W60 (for the sake of the argument...), doesn't mean that your modern BMW should too...

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

BMW doesn't charge royalty fees. I don't know where people get this information. The blender pays for the tests and it's not expensive.

And it's in their own interest to get as many approvals on their products as possible as that ensures wider application. The fact that a certain oil does not hold a particular approval means it probably does not conform with it....
All of this has nothing to do with royalty.

[newyorkgabe]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Get the data sheet of the oil online, from Castrol’s webpage! If it lists BMW’s approval - you are fine. Make sure it is exactly the same oil though.

If not - I’d be cautious about using it. Oil is not oil, although your car will not explode if you use it.

Yeah I checked the product data sheet on their website - it has BB LL-01 listed so I think I'm good. Prod just old print.

Thanks for help all. Don't know if future oil changes will stay focused on this oil, might switch to Liqui Moly or Motul. who knows.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

All of this has nothing to do with royalty.

If you don't think there's some serious quid pro quo going on between BMW and Castrol you're in an alternate reality.

And it's in their own interest to get as many approvals on their products as possible as that ensures wider application

It's in BMW's best interest to have as few approvals as possible, to convince people that they need to buy BMW branded oil. Reading through this and other threads it's obviously working.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

And that is not necessarily a bad thing if you ask me. If an engine is designed and manufactured to run with W20, then why force W40!? What for? Better fuel efficiency = better engine efficiency = better engine performance. Just because your old Ford engine ran on W60 (for the sake of the argument...), doesn't mean that your modern BMW should too...

The reality is that the B-series is also spec'd for LL01, LL04, LL01fe, LL14fe, and LL17fe.

This is 5w40 all the way down to 0w20. These engines are used worldwide with variation in fue quality and emissions compliance.

BMW like all automakers have market dependent specifications.