[splashy]

There are so many options from Liqui Moly that it makes my head spin...

-TOP TEC 4200 5W-30
-TOP TEC 4100 5W-40
-TOP TEC 4110 5W-40
-TOP TEC 6600 0W-20
-TOP TEC 4600 5W-30
-LONG­TIME HIGH TECH 5W-30
-LONGLIFE III 5W-30
-SPECIAL TEC LL 5W-30
-SPECIAL TEC B FE 5W-30
-MOLYGEN NEW GENERATION 5W-40
-LEICHT­LAUF HIGH TECH 5W-40
-SYNTHOIL ENERGY A40 SAE 0W-40

6 different options for 5w30

4 different options for 5w40

then the one 0w20 and 0w40

Im currently running valvoline european 5w40 since thats what my shop has, though my 2017 recommends the 0w20.

I know all these weights are fine for the N20

but besides weights, does anyone know what the differences for all these oils are?

Is there any one you prefer?

Where I live it gets as hot as about 95F (35C) and cold as 0F (-17C)

[sspade]

If you're dead set on staying with Liqui Moly... I had good a experience with LEICHTLAUF HIGH TECH 5W-40 on the N20 before I switched to a more readily available and less expensive oil. Used it for 3 or 4 oil changes (every 5k) while living in NorCal which can have a similar temperature profile to what you describe, depending on locale. My personal situation was very close... regular 100+ summer days and near zero temps on the mountains in the winter.

I'd run anything but 0W20 in your N20, keep a reasonable oil change interval and your engine will stay happy.

[Billfitz]

I use Molygen 5w-30. It has API SP and ILSAC GF-6A approvals, which are as good as it gets, and that's good enough for me.

[F32Fleet]

I wouldn't be surprised if Liqui Moly doesn't know the difference.

[mmm-five]

Try to find the MSDS for each of them and it will show you the chemical/physical properties for each product.

Such as this one for Top Tec 4200 5W-30

[frchdragon]

This is what I am putting in my car: SPECIAL TEC LL 5W-30 as it has the BMW Longlife-01 approval.

[Billfitz]

I wouldn't get excited about a 20 year old approval, especially one from a car manufacturer and not API or ILSAC. 2001 is what the 01 stands for.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I wouldn't get excited about a 20 year old approval, especially one from a car manufacturer and not API or ILSAC. 2001 is what the 01 stands for.

FYI...BMW revised all of their certs in 2018 for timing chain and increased the oxidation requirements. Liqui Moly typically notates this revision with "2018" next to the cert.

[Billfitz]

API SP and ILSAC GF-6A provide low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear protection while improving piston cleanliness and fuel economy. Keep in mind that BMW doesn't make or formulate lubricant. They re-brand it, and depend on the lubricant industry to make improvements to it. Currently API SP and ILSAC GF-6A are the top ratings available. Care to guess when they went into effect? 2018. BMW's revision only reflected what the lubricant industry had done.

[beazy33]

I prefer the new green Molygen that shows up under UV light because it helps track leaks easily.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

API SP and ILSAC GF-6A provide low-speed pre-ignition (LSPI) and timing chain wear protection while improving piston cleanliness and fuel economy. Keep in mind that BMW doesn't make or formulate lubricant. They re-brand it, and depend on the lubricant industry to make improvements to it. Currently API SP and ILSAC GF-6A are the top ratings available. Care to guess when they went into effect? 2018. BMW's revision only reflected what the lubricant industry had done.

API SP and ILSAC GF6 went into effect on 05/21 and are mediocre specifications. The test plant for these oils is Toyota 2.4 naturally aspirated engine. While LSPI control is demand on SP oils, engine being used for testing is not turbo plant. The requirement is based strictly on calcium level.
Second, LL01 is much more stringent oil specification as ANY European is compared to API. LL01 2018 revision has following changes compared to 2011 revision:
1. Higher oxidation requirements (BMW already had highest oxidation requirements in industry ). This increases OCI in EU.
2. Has specific timing chain test for N20/26 engines, not "one size fits all" like API.
3. Engine used for oil testing is N20.

Third, BMW doesn't rebrand oils. BMW TPT oils are specific to BMW regardless that blender until 02/21 was Shell and now is Castrol.

For N20 engine, considering timing chain issues, best bet is thick oil with low ZDDP content. Best fit is Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40.

[Walker_CW]

Originally Posted by edycol

API SP and ILSAC GF6 went into effect on 05/21 and are mediocre specifications. The test plant for these oils is Toyota 2.4 naturally aspirated engine. While LSPI control is demand on SP oils, engine being used for testing is not turbo plant. The requirement is based strictly on calcium level.
Second, LL01 is much more stringent oil specification as ANY European is compared to API. LL01 2018 revision has following changes compared to 2011 revision:
1. Higher oxidation requirements (BMW already had highest oxidation requirements in industry ). This increases OCI in EU.
2. Has specific timing chain test for N20/26 engines, not "one size fits all" like API.
3. Engine used for oil testing is N20.

Third, BMW doesn't rebrand oils. BMW TPT oils are specific to BMW regardless that blender until 02/21 was Shell and now is Castrol.

For N20 engine, considering timing chain issues, best bet is thick oil with low ZDDP content. Best fit is Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40.

Your thoughts on best oil for B46? I'm going to be changing mine for the first time since owning it at 5k OCI, which will be around 32k miles. Debating between FCP Euro LiquiMoly 5w30 oil change kit with filter and utilizing lifetime warranty (and sending it back for refund at every oil change), or getting the OE filter from Amazon and Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w30 ($22 from WalMart). Any insight/opinions? Thanks!

EDIT: Also, please clarify. I thought for BMW turbo engines that we wanted HIGHER ZDDP, not lower.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

Your thoughts on best oil for B46? I'm going to be changing mine for the first time since owning it at 5k OCI, which will be around 32k miles. Debating between FCP Euro LiquiMoly 5w30 oil change kit with filter and utilizing lifetime warranty (and sending it back for refund at every oil change), or getting the OE filter from Amazon and Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w30 ($22 from WalMart). Any insight/opinions? Thanks!

EDIT: Also, please clarify. I thought for BMW turbo engines that we wanted HIGHER ZDDP, not lower.

So ZDDP is never ending debate. ZDDP is very stout additive for limits. But it has downsides. It is harmful to emissions equipment and those things are expensive. Also, modern oils utilize other additives that are similarly effective.
If you don't have GPF you can go either LL01 or LL04. IMO Valvoline 5W40 is better oil than what Liqui Moly offers. Castrol 5W40 I would probably put in Liqui Moly class.
But my choice would be Motul 5W40 X-Cess Gen2 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. If GPF on car then you must go LL04. I personally would go Motul 5W30 X-Clean+, 5W40 X-Clean Gen2 or that Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30 from Wal Mart.
Liqui Moly will cut it. If free exchange is something you want to go, it will do it, but as I stated, there are better oils.

[alohasurftoad]

i've been using Pennzoil Euro Platinum L 5W-30, it's great!

[paimon.soror]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

i've been using Pennzoil Euro Platinum L 5W-30, it's great!

I always love these comments in oil debates. I don't have a horse in the race, but in all seriousness ... What is it that has you saying "great"?

I'm not trying to be a sourpuss but in 99% of the cases...when someone says "it's great" it usually means: "i poured it in and the car started..and it's been running ever since and didn't explode".

[Walker_CW]

Originally Posted by edycol

So ZDDP is never ending debate. ZDDP is very stout additive for limits. But it has downsides. It is harmful to emissions equipment and those things are expensive. Also, modern oils utilize other additives that are similarly effective.
If you don't have GPF you can go either LL01 or LL04. IMO Valvoline 5W40 is better oil than what Liqui Moly offers. Castrol 5W40 I would probably put in Liqui Moly class.
But my choice would be Motul 5W40 X-Cess Gen2 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. If GPF on car then you must go LL04. I personally would go Motul 5W30 X-Clean+, 5W40 X-Clean Gen2 or that Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30 from Wal Mart.
Liqui Moly will cut it. If free exchange is something you want to go, it will do it, but as I stated, there are better oils.

Originally Posted by edycol

So ZDDP is never ending debate. ZDDP is very stout additive for limits. But it has downsides. It is harmful to emissions equipment and those things are expensive. Also, modern oils utilize other additives that are similarly effective.
If you don't have GPF you can go either LL01 or LL04. IMO Valvoline 5W40 is better oil than what Liqui Moly offers. Castrol 5W40 I would probably put in Liqui Moly class.
But my choice would be Motul 5W40 X-Cess Gen2 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. If GPF on car then you must go LL04. I personally would go Motul 5W30 X-Clean+, 5W40 X-Clean Gen2 or that Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30 from Wal Mart.
Liqui Moly will cut it. If free exchange is something you want to go, it will do it, but as I stated, there are better oils.

Another silly and probably overasked question. I've transitioned my other 4 vehicles to 5w30. One calls for 10w30, two for 0w20 and one for 5w20. I believe the recommended 0w20 on the B46 is mainly for fuel economy and that 5w30 is better for longevity. Curious though why you would recommend 5w40 on a turbocharged car. The thicker 40 weight oil at temp doesn't cause any issues with the turbo? The climate I'm IN can get hot and has mild winters (North Carolina, USA). Assuming I can source the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w30 AND 5w40 at Walmart for the same price, which one would you recommend I go with? Car is mainly used for commuting on the highway, but will have occasional spirited driving. I won't beat on it, race it or track it though. 5k mile OCI.

Thanks for any insights.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

Another silly and probably overasked question. I've transitioned my other 4 vehicles to 5w30. One calls for 10w30, two for 0w20 and one for 5w20. I believe the recommended 0w20 on the B46 is mainly for fuel economy and that 5w30 is better for longevity. Curious though why you would recommend 5w40 on a turbocharged car. The thicker 40 weight oil at temp doesn't cause any issues with the turbo? The climate I'm IN can get hot and has mild winters (North Carolina, USA). Assuming I can source the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w30 AND 5w40 at Walmart for the same price, which one would you recommend I go with? Car is mainly used for commuting on the highway, but will have occasional spirited driving. I won't beat on it, race it or track it though. 5k mile OCI.

Thanks for any insights.

What vehicles?
Ambient temperature is not an issue for any modern synthetic oil unless Alaska or Edmonton Canada. 5W will cut it.
In European vehicles recommended oil is based on HTHS (High Temperature High Shear). Bottom line, HTHS is resistance of oil to permanent or temporary loss of viscosity at 150c. So, LL01 and LL04 are minimum 3.5cp. That is achieved with so called "thick" XW30 or thin XW40 oils.
You are right, 0W20 is strictly used to achieve CAFE requirements.

[Walker_CW]

Originally Posted by edycol

What vehicles?
Ambient temperature is not an issue for any modern synthetic oil unless Alaska or Edmonton Canada. 5W will cut it.
In European vehicles recommended oil is based on HTHS (High Temperature High Shear). Bottom line, HTHS is resistance of oil to permanent or temporary loss of viscosity at 150c. So, LL01 and LL04 are minimum 3.5cp. That is achieved with so called "thick" XW30 or thin XW40 oils.
You are right, 0W20 is strictly used to achieve CAFE requirements.

I was mainly asking what your thoughts were between the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W30 and 5W40 for a 2018 330xi w/B46.

To answer your question, the other vehicles (to which I run 5w30 synthetic, whatever is only sale - lately Mobil 1 or Kirkland)
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser
2005 Honda Accord (K24)
2012 Hyundai Elantra
2015 Honda Odyssey

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

I was mainly asking what your thoughts were between the Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W30 and 5W40 for a 2018 330xi w/B46.

To answer your question, the other vehicles (to which I run 5w30 synthetic, whatever is only sale - lately Mobil 1 or Kirkland)
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser
2005 Honda Accord (K24)
2012 Hyundai Elantra
2015 Honda Odyssey

So, the difference is in approval. LL01 is so called Full-SAPS oil while LL04 is Low to Mid SAPS oil.
What that means? When diesel particulate filters (DPF) were introduced in EU in 2004 they had to introduce oils with lower sulfated ash and phosphorus (SAPS). These compounds through evaporation loss create carbon build up in extremely restrictive exhaust systems like DPF that eventually block it. These lower SAPS oils extend lifespan of those filters.
Generally LL04 is good for all emissions system and bcs. of lower sulfated ash bearings like it too.
Problem with these oils is lower TBN or additives content. In the US that was particular problem bcs. US fuel had until 01/2017 very high sulfur levels in gas. Through fuel dilution in DI engines sulfur in gas would degrade additives in oil. So, in US in gas engines you really wanted high TBN or additive oil like LL01. In 2017 EPA limited sulfur levels to 10ppm but allowed some provisions for some time so fuel blenders could adjust. Now ultra low sulfur gas (ULSG) is available everywhere and all European manufacturers moved their new vehicles to low SAPS oils (BMW LL17FE, MB229.51/52, MB229.61, MB229.71, VW504.00/507.00, VW508.00/509.00, Porsche C30,20,40). BMW just didn't bother to explain to customers that LL04 is OK to use pretty much in all old engines too. In new engines BMW uses LL17FE 0W20. But content wise, LL17FE is light version of LL04.
So LL01 and LL04 are same oils HTHS requirements wise, difference is SAPS content.
As for other vehicles, I would stick to what Honda recommends for 2015 bcs. VCM issues. Others can take anything.

[Walker_CW]

Originally Posted by edycol

So, the difference is in approval. LL01 is so called Full-SAPS oil while LL04 is Low to Mid SAPS oil.
What that means? When diesel particulate filters (DPF) were introduced in EU in 2004 they had to introduce oils with lower sulfated ash and phosphorus (SAPS). These compounds through evaporation loss create carbon build up in extremely restrictive exhaust systems like DPF that eventually block it. These lower SAPS oils extend lifespan of those filters.
Generally LL04 is good for all emissions system and bcs. of lower sulfated ash bearings like it too.
Problem with these oils is lower TBN or additives content. In the US that was particular problem bcs. US fuel had until 01/2017 very high sulfur levels in gas. Through fuel dilution in DI engines sulfur in gas would degrade additives in oil. So, in US in gas engines you really wanted high TBN or additive oil like LL01. In 2017 EPA limited sulfur levels to 10ppm but allowed some provisions for some time so fuel blenders could adjust. Now ultra low sulfur gas (ULSG) is available everywhere and all European manufacturers moved their new vehicles to low SAPS oils (BMW LL17FE, MB229.51/52, MB229.61, MB229.71, VW504.00/507.00, VW508.00/509.00, Porsche C30,20,40). BMW just didn't bother to explain to customers that LL04 is OK to use pretty much in all old engines too. In new engines BMW uses LL17FE 0W20. But content wise, LL17FE is light version of LL04.
So LL01 and LL04 are same oils HTHS requirements wise, difference is SAPS content.
As for other vehicles, I would stick to what Honda recommends for 2015 bcs. VCM issues. Others can take anything.

Wealth of great info here. Thank you. I have disabled the VCM on the 2015 Odyssey.

I'll see if WalMart has 5w30 or 5w40 in the PPE.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Walker_CW

Wealth of great info here. Thank you. I have disabled the VCM on the 2015 Odyssey.

I'll see if WalMart has 5w30 or 5w40 in the PPE.

Wal Mart doesn't carry PPE 5W40. It does carry Quaker State European Vehicles 5W40 which is rebadged PPE.
Just clarification:
PPE 5W40 is LL01
PPE L 5W30 is LL04.

[Walker_CW]

Another dumb question. B46 calls for 5.6 quarts. If I got a 5 liter jug of Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen 2 - that is 5.28 quarts. If I added 300ml (.317 quarts) that would put me right at 5.597 quarts with filter change.

Would that be ok? The Motul is twice as much money, but when you factor in 5 quarts vs 5 liters and needing to buy another quart - as well as wanting to try out Ceratec, I think this would be a solid plan - but I'd like the opinion of someone wiser.

Thanks