[kern417]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I decided to comment on the never-ending debate of what oil to use. I know it's not a popular opinion, but hopefully everyone will understand based on the provided reasons.

TL;DW: You don't need to switch to heavier oil just because your car is tuned. The car was designed to run 0w20 or 0w30 and making more power doesn't mean that the oil is getting hotter. You have plenty of tools available, including external parties that will analyzer your oil between changes, that can help you make the decision. But don't stray far from the OEM recommendations without some supporting data.

5w40 oil analysis

[BMWILUVU]

Are you using Liquid Moly 5w-40?

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Are you using Liquid Moly 5w-40?

Kern: *makes video explaining why you should stick with OEM 0W-20/30 oil*
Also Kern: *writes a post saying you don't need thicker oil*

You: "So are you using a thicker oil?"

[///Madgreek1]

Originally Posted by G.Newt

Kern: *makes video explaining why you should stick with OEM 0W-20/30 oil*
Also Kern: *writes a post saying you don't need thicker oil*

You: "So are you using a thicker oil?"

[BMWILUVU]

I do not think he said to use 0w-20/30 religiously. You two are I also use 5w-40 for track.

[blacksapphire440i]

I'm using 5W-30 Special Tec B for my B58 tuned. Planning to stick with this as temperatures in California can reach 100 and I like to drive sporty a lot

[kern417]

Originally Posted by G.Newt

Kern: *makes video explaining why you should stick with OEM 0W-20/30 oil*
Also Kern: *writes a post saying you don't need thicker oil*

You: "So are you using a thicker oil?"

play nice

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

I do not think he said to use 0w-20/30 religiously. You two are I also use 5w-40 for track.

don't take it to heart lol. to be fair i am trying out different oils but it's because i'm a weirdo that likes testing stuff on my personal vehicles. I use an oil that meets the BMW spec and VW spec since I also have other volkswagens that use thicker oil than 0w20.

[Atom Ant]

I use RAVENOL SSL SAE 0W-40 is ok?
https://www.ravenol-shop.de/motoroel...venol-ssl-0w40

[kern417]

Originally Posted by Atom Ant

I use RAVENOL SSL SAE 0W-40 is ok?
https://www.ravenol-shop.de/motoroel...venol-ssl-0w40

It looks like it's LL01 certified. I believe in Europe they actually recommend LL04, so just check you're manual. You can always try to find one that's FE certified as well.

[hokiedood]

What do you think about Castrol 03037 Edge 5W-30 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil?

[orangepeelforest]

Originally Posted by hokiedood

What do you think about Castrol 03037 Edge 5W-30 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil?

That is what I use

[hokiedood]

Should I avoid using non LL-01 rated synthetic oils like Castrol 03084C Edge 5W-30 US?

I usually use the Castrol 03037 Edge Euro LL-01 rated formula but it could take up to two months for Amazon to ship it. Also, the US formula is 25% off Cyber Monday.

[saifodeh]

I've always used 5w-40 since my 435i, now my 440i.
Am I doing something wrong lol.

[blacksapphire440i]

Originally Posted by saifodeh

I've always used 5w-40 since my 435i, now my 440i.
Am I doing something wrong lol.

I spoke to a mechanic who owns both a body shop and auto shop about what oils we should use on our car and what I was told was that we do not need the thicker oils till we reach higher mileage on our engine/turbo. The more thin oil will be able to lubricate the parts much faster compared to a slightly more thick oil.

I'm running 5W-30 LL01 atm (was running LL01-FE previously) and everything runs just fine. I'd go with 5W-40 in the future when I reach 80-120k miles but thats just preference.

[dmanb2b]

Both of my b58s are on LM 0w-40. I changed out the X7's ow-20 factory fill at around 6,200 miles and TBN was down to 1.5. I'm a numbers person, so "feels good" or "running well" doesn't help my ocd...lol. Reality is run what you want, just don't run long oci's if you are in the 0w-20 camp.

Recent UOAs on '16 340i


'21 X7 UOA

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by hokiedood

Should I avoid using non LL-01 rated synthetic oils like Castrol 03084C Edge 5W-30 US?

I usually use the Castrol 03037 Edge Euro LL-01 rated formula but it could take up to two months for Amazon to ship it. Also, the US formula is 25% off Cyber Monday.

I haven't used LL-01 spec oil for a while now and my oil analysis came back great. You'll find my report in the previous page or two of this thread using Castrol 0W-40.

[G.Newt]

Originally Posted by blacksapphire440i

I spoke to a mechanic who owns both a body shop and auto shop about what oils we should use on our car and what I was told was that we do not need the thicker oils till we reach higher mileage on our engine/turbo. The more thin oil will be able to lubricate the parts much faster compared to a slightly more thick oil.

I'm running 5W-30 LL01 atm (was running LL01-FE previously) and everything runs just fine. I'd go with 5W-40 in the future when I reach 80-120k miles but thats just preference.

I run Castrol 0W-40 specifically because it's a "thin" 0W-40. I wanted a slightly thicker oil from the 0W-20/30 weight oils without sacrificing too much on the cold start protection. The viscosity is on the low end for its spec.

[kern417]

Thanks for bumping the thread. Forgot to add my oil analysis video. I ran 5w40 last year. Now I have 5w30 and I'll do another analysis next year.

Originally Posted by G.Newt

I haven't used LL-01 spec oil for a while now and my oil analysis came back great. You'll find my report in the previous page or two of this thread using Castrol 0W-40.

This is what it comes down too. LL cert makes it easy, but nothing beats getting your own data. You could run the exact same oil I do and get different results. So my recommendation is to do your own due diligence and get your oil analyzed.

[MTWO]

I’ve been using 5-40 since after break-in. No issues at all. 0-20 oil is literally an emissions thing for them.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by MTWO

I’ve been using 5-40 since after break-in. No issues at all. 0-20 oil is literally an emissions thing for them.

Correction - *Designing an engine to run on 0w20 safely* is an *efficiency* thing for them

[PeterWT]

I bring my car to the dealer for oil changes every ~5K mi. and ask them to use 5w30, because:
It's an optional weight in the owners manual
I live in Florida, so I don't need a cold weather weight
AND
It makes me feel better than using 0w20

[anh3]

I'm on the 0w-40 camp, using Castrol-Euro formula on the 2017 340. Semi annual/5-7k miles oci interval. Last I check the owner manual say 0w-40 is acceptable alternate, or is this wrong?

"Viscosity grades

When selecting an engine oil, make sure that the engine oil has the viscosity grade SAE 0W-30 or SAE 0W-20. Alternatively, also engine oils with viscosity grades SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-30, SAE 0W-40 or SAE 5W-40 can be used.

The viscosity grades SAE 0W-20 or SAE 5W-20 are only suitable for particular engines.

More information about suitable engine oil ratings and viscosities of engine oils can be requested from a dealer’s service center or another qualified service center or repair shop"