[328iX]

Oil is newer spec BMW LL-12FE 0W-30 changed at the dealership, i'm guessing the paper that was found in the oil came from them as the sample was taken from a new bottle mid drain. TBN surprised me, that's pretty good for 5,000 miles, meaning it could do 10k+ no issue.

Additive explanation:
Molybdenum & zinc found in the oil are anti-wear additives
Calcium & phosphorus are the detergent additives

[FaRKle!]

That also confirms that LL-12FE is a lighter weight oil than LL-04. Viscosity numbers for LL-04 are 57-65, and 9.4-11.9.

At 5k mi wear, your LL-12 was already lighter than the minimum LL-04 spec.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

That also confirms that LL-12FE is a lighter weight oil than LL-04. Viscosity numbers for LL-04 are 57-65, and 9.4-11.9.

At 5k mi wear, your LL-12 was already lighter than the minimum LL-04 spec.

What grade of LL04? I thought LL04 that BMW ran was 5w-30?

I'm currently running Pennzoil 5w-30 LL04 and will do a test on that too in about a month.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by 328dX

What grade of LL04? I thought LL04 that BMW ran was 5w-30?

5w-30 LL04, but it shouldn't matter since both 0w-30 and 5w-30 are 30 viscosity at 100C. Clearly one is "less" 30 viscosity than the other...

[328iX]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

5w-30 LL04, but it shouldn't matter since both 0w-30 and 5w-30 are 30 viscosity at 100C. Clearly one is "less" 30 viscosity than the other...

True but when i drain a 0w-30 vs 5w-30 the 0w-30 always looks thinner so it's no surprise to me, same goes for 5w-30 vs 10w-30

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by 328dX

True but when i drain a 0w-30 vs 5w-30 the 0w-30 always looks thinner so it's no surprise to me, same goes for 5w-30 vs 10w-30

So if your oil's viscosity doesn't fall within the SAE spec for that weight oil you're fine with it?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

So if your oil's viscosity doesn't fall within the SAE spec for that weight oil you're fine with it?

No, I'm saying it's always been common sense to me that a 0w-30 will be thinner than 5w-30 at 210F based on what I've noticed over hundreds of oil changes.

I always drain hot and a 0W-30 it always visually thinner than 5w-30, i'm not ok with it, hence why i always do 5k intervals.

Even cold flow is visually noticeable, you pour in a 0w-20 it's thinner than 0w-30, they're both 0w oils cold. I don't understand how the scale works or what the tolerances are.


Lastly, I always prefer 5w-30, I'm in california just like you, 0w-30 is unnecessary, but my oil changes are free until 75k miles, and I go in just to get it documented for carfax and BMW maintenance records

[POBEP]

FaRKle! 328iX - my first post-warranty oil change is coming up on MY2016 F25 28dX.

While the manual calls for 0W30 LL12FE, it is my understanding that 5W30 LL04 would be better choice for N47 engine that never see ambient startup temps below 0C.

Did I get it right?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by POBEP

FaRKle! 328iX - my first post-warranty oil change is coming up on MY2016 F25 28dX.

While the manual calls for 0W30 LL12FE, it is my understanding that 5W30 LL04 would be better choice for N47 engine that never see ambient startup temps below 0C.

Did I get it right?

Yeah I would agree. If you're in a warmer climate that's what I would prefer.

[catskillclimber]

was your EGR cooler replaced under the recall?

[eugene89us]

Will provide my report to the greater community. I run LL12 FE 0W-30 oil currently and have done so since new. Car has 52K miles. Report was run at 49K miles at roughly 9,950 miles on it. Climate in Central MS is quite hot most of the year, but frequently drops to below 0C in winter with infrequent lows between 0C and -10C. Hardly any snow, 0 to 1 day a year.

I am pretty happy with my report after 10K miles. The engine is tolerating well. My car is a garage queen that gets about 15K miles a year, most of it Interstate driving. No heavy driving, I do sometimes haul a trailer from HD or Lowe's. This oil probably had more trailer use than average. If you do spirited driving or track use, you would have to use LL04 for better protection. For me, LL12 checks all boxes and the report put me at relative ease. There is always a give and take with that decision.

[Donnf08]

I been having high sodium in my oil results... has anyone else have this issue?

[andreigbs]

Pretty good results, thanks for doing UOAs and posting them! I typically only see UOAs at bobistheoilguy, not expecting to find them here.

I'll be curious what @328iX finds out on the PP Euro L stuff, since I've used that oil before. Currently running Motul X-Clean+

[328iX]

Originally Posted by andreigbs

Pretty good results, thanks for doing UOAs and posting them! I typically only see UOAs at bobistheoilguy, not expecting to find them here.

I'll be curious what @328iX finds out on the PP Euro L stuff, since I've used that oil before. Currently running Motul X-Clean+

Sold the vehicle a long time ago sadly, currently have a N20 .

[andreigbs]

Originally Posted by 328iX

Sold the vehicle a long time ago sadly, currently have a N20 .

Boo! J/K

I take it you're not enjoying it as much as the diesel then?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by andreigbs

Boo! J/K

I take it you're not enjoying it as much as the diesel then?

I enjoy the engine more, higher redline, more power, etc.

What sucks is I feel it's more unreliable, timing chains already replaced at 40k, turbo went out at 35k, valve cover leak at 35k, direct injection pump replaced at like 45k.

Also mpg went down from 34-36 or so in the diesel to 24-26


Thankfully most of it was under warranty but now I'm skeptical lol.

They both had transfer case replacements tho, my diesel and gas.

[andreigbs]

Indeed, the transfer case plagues many X models, but especially the diesels due to the extra vibration harmonics. So far so good on the original TC in mine.

Other than maintenance, my X3d has been very reliable with no unscheduled repairs.

The fuel economy was the main reason I bought it since I was doing a 200 mile daily commute pre-COVID.

In my neck of the woods, diesel BMWs are unicorns. I haven't seen another except very rarely, on road trips.

[POBEP]

andreigbs - attached is report for my F25 28d.

0W30 LL12-FE, final "free" fill by BMW.

This time switched to LL04 per FaRKle! and 328iX advise

Chrome (rings), iron (cylinder liners, shafts), and nickel (alloy in steel) each read fairly high compared to averages, which are based on this variety of BMW after a similar oil run (~7,700 miles).

If a lot of short trips or city driving are facts of life then some extra wear might be normal, but check back in 6,000 miles to monitor.

The viscosity is in the 5W/20 range, low compared to the 0W/30-grade of other LL-12 samples we've tested -- let us know if this happens to be a different weight and we'll update the oil type.

The 1.8 TBN shows active additives were used up.

[andreigbs]

POBEP Thanks for posting! Since this looks to be your first UOA on this motor, I hope you don't worry too much about the numbers. I've seen folks lose sleep over UOAs and I can tell you: it's unjustified.

Having said that, I'm glad you decided to go with a more stout oil than the LL12FE stuff. Do you do a lot of city driving (crawling, I should say)? Did you have to top off oil between changes?

I've used Pennzoil Platinum Euro L in 5w30 flavor (it's LL04) and my diesel liked it. That's probably the cheapest great oil easily found on the shelf. This last change I switched to Motul X-Clean+ also in 5w30 flavor. I've found that the engine seems even a bit quieter and revs very smoothly, freely, with Motul in the sump.

Going forward, I'll probably stick with it and may even do a UOA.

Thanks again for posting your UOA.

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by andreigbs

POBEP Thanks for posting! Since this looks to be your first UOA on this motor, I hope you don't worry too much about the numbers. I've seen folks lose sleep over UOAs and I can tell you: it's unjustified.

thank you

Originally Posted by andreigbs

Having said that, I'm glad you decided to go with a more stout oil than the LL12FE stuff. Do you do a lot of city driving (crawling, I should say)? Did you have to top off oil between changes?

Yes, daily city driving, very short trips (1-2 miles)
Followed by occasional 200mi and 500mi highway

No, no top-offs on F25. Oil level is stays solid full between oil changes

Originally Posted by andreigbs

I've used Pennzoil Platinum Euro L in 5w30 flavor (it's LL04) and my diesel liked it. That's probably the cheapest great oil easily found on the shelf. This last change I switched to Motul X-Clean+ also in 5w30 flavor. I've found that the engine seems even a bit quieter and revs very smoothly, freely, with Motul in
the sump.

Going forward, I'll probably stick with it and may even do a UOA.

Thanks again for posting your UOA.

My plan is BMW LL04 going forward, unless there is a better oil. Paying for quality oil/parts is not an issue for me

andreigbs - I'll PM you on a separate, unrelated subject (related to F25 28d). I need a reference picture for the harness wiring issue I discovered during this oil change. The F25 28d was not popular in US, very low data/reference available.

[andreigbs]

Reply with reference pic sent.

Yes I recommend staying on LL04 oil. Look for oils that are approved for MB 229.51 or 229.52 spec, along with VW/Audi 507 spec and Porsche C30 spec, all for diesels.

An oil that is approved for all of these specs is going to be robust and should provide excellent service in your N47.

Indeed, rare; I have yet to see another X3d in my neck of the woods. I've seen a few 3er with the diesel and some X5s, but no X3.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by POBEP

andreigbs - attached is report for my F25 28d.

0W30 LL12-FE, final "free" fill by BMW.

This time switched to LL04 per FaRKle! and 328iX advise

Go to Walmart. 5w30 Pennzoil Euro L, super cheap, about $24 for 5 quarts I believe and very good specs. It's LL04, I would change a bit more frequently to see if those numbers improve.