[turnSignalLOL]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Pennzoil make the oem bmw oil nowadays but if your buying Pennzoil oil itself then go buy the European Formula that should be the same as what the dealer sell as oem.

But the European formula is 5W-30 for Pennzoil while my 3 series requires 0W-20. There's not a big difference but it's not as per OEM standards

[Billfitz]

Your 3 series does not require 0w-20. BWM has gone to it purely for the better gas mileage that it can deliver, possibly at the expense of long term reliability.

[Revz]

I drive a 2017 320i and it gets super hot here in the central valley. Should I go with 5w-30 instead of 0w-20. Im also tuned and my commute is mostly highway. Just a little confused with what I should go with. Thanks guys

[Billfitz]

The temperature gauge on the dash is oil temperature. So long as that is within the normal 220-250F range you're OK. Depending where you are in California I might be inclined to use 5w-30. If it's Bakersfield or San Diego for sure, if it's Tahoe City, no. The main advantage to a 0w-20 is how well it lubricates in colder temperatures.

[sqwinny]

Mobil 1 euro 0-40 is around $25 from Walmart or Amazon. Oem Mann filter is around 9 shipped from Amazon as well.

Or when ordering more things FCP euro sells a 5-30 liquid moly with Mann filter kit for around $40.

My Mazda and old Nissan LOVED Castro's 0-30 euroblend but it's now drastically expensive for now reason and hard to find.

[auburnf30x]

I use Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-30 coupled with a Mann filter in my '17 330i. It seems to like it, and oil analysis from Blackstone looks good. I live in a hot climate (Southeast US) so the oil weight works great here.

I run it for 5k miles, and is what I'd recommend to anyone not using the liquid gold that BMW wants to sell you. And honestly I have a hard time coming to terms with the 10k interval on that, too...but that's a debate that's all over the place.

Pennzoil has worked great for me for a long time now, should be fine here too.

Side note, the lack of the dipstick on these engines freaked me out at first...but shockingly, this is the easiest car to change the oil in that I've ever owned.

[Fliplegend]

Mobil's rebate program just started on April 1 too so a 5qt jug can be had for under $15 after rebate.

[omorzo]

Even here in Italy the raccomanded oil from alternative premium products like Bardahl raccomends a 0w30 oil. We are all agree that 5k miles is the best oil change interval, but if i make this mileage in 2 years? The best time interval is 1 or at least 2 years? I use the BARDAHL TECHNOS XFS AV504 SAE 0W-30 for my car.

[Billfitz]

A two year interval would be OK if it takes that long to reach 5k miles if you don't live where the temperature drops below freezing in winter, or in that case if the car isn't driven in the winter. In winter there's condensation in the crankcase, and the engine seldom gets hot enough to boil it off. I do a yearly change in the spring at only 3-4k miles to get rid of the contaminants that accumulate in the cold months.

[omorzo]

OK, thanks for advice Billfitz, I use the car all the year, in the end the best is change the oil every year before summer.

[Billfitz]

That depends where you live. Italy is a big place. I'd not worry about doing an oil change more often than 5k miles in Naples or Palermo. I would do a spring oil change irrespective of mileage in Val Gardena.

[ThaWeeknd]

Hey Gang this is what i asked Liqui Moly and their reply for N20 Oil types

"Hi there, im in need of some help from you guys with the correct specifications and proper oil for my 2016 BMW 328i XDrive (Hood says 0w-20) 33,000 KMS From my manual: "When selecting an engine oil, ensure that the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40, and SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine damage may occur." Currently in the Car is I believe 0W-20 BMW Oil and is due for its last scheduled Dealer Oil changed Based on this information, i live in Quebec Canada.... Our winters last from November to April/May so better part of 6-7 months with temperature ranging from - 5 to -40 degrees celsius at times Which Liqui Moly oils can I use and select from your range and why? and what would be best suited??"

REPLIED:

Thank you for contacting me regarding which engine oil to use. Confusing subject for sure and BMW did make it any easier by using different engine for the same models in the same year. Most likely your 328xDrive is equipped with the N20 engine and I base that on you mentioning the sticker under the hood. If this is true then that engine calls for a BMW Longlife-17 FE + engine oil specification which would be our Top Tec 6600 0W20 oil.
If the engine installed is instead the N26 then it calls for a different oil specification named BMW Longlife-01 FE which is a higher viscosity and the oil we offer is named Special Tec B FE 5W30.
Both of the oils mentioned are officially approved by BMW according to each specification so they will cover your car even in warranty. However, please find out which engine so that the correct engine oil will be used.
The climate you’re in does not affect the oil choice in any of these cases and is redundant since these engine are only allowed to use the specified oil.

Stefan Braun (Liqui Moly) N-A Rep

[Z K]

Originally Posted by ThaWeeknd

Hey Gang this is what i asked Liqui Moly and their reply for N20 Oil types

"Hi there, im in need of some help from you guys with the correct specifications and proper oil for my 2016 BMW 328i XDrive (Hood says 0w-20) 33,000 KMS From my manual: "When selecting an engine oil, ensure that the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40, and SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine damage may occur." Currently in the Car is I believe 0W-20 BMW Oil and is due for its last scheduled Dealer Oil changed Based on this information, i live in Quebec Canada.... Our winters last from November to April/May so better part of 6-7 months with temperature ranging from - 5 to -40 degrees celsius at times Which Liqui Moly oils can I use and select from your range and why? and what would be best suited??"

REPLIED:

Thank you for contacting me regarding which engine oil to use. Confusing subject for sure and BMW did make it any easier by using different engine for the same models in the same year. Most likely your 328xDrive is equipped with the N20 engine and I base that on you mentioning the sticker under the hood. If this is true then that engine calls for a BMW Longlife-17 FE + engine oil specification which would be our Top Tec 6600 0W20 oil.
If the engine installed is instead the N26 then it calls for a different oil specification named BMW Longlife-01 FE which is a higher viscosity and the oil we offer is named Special Tec B FE 5W30.
Both of the oils mentioned are officially approved by BMW according to each specification so they will cover your car even in warranty. However, please find out which engine so that the correct engine oil will be used.
The climate you’re in does not affect the oil choice in any of these cases and is redundant since these engine are only allowed to use the specified oil.

Stefan Braun (Liqui Moly) N-A Rep

That doesn't make any sense as N26 is just N20 with added emissions equipment. The engine is the same and oil requirement should be the same. Also, N26 from 2016 and up also says 0w20 for motor oil on the sticker under the hood.

[Onlybimmers]

I run the same as some other guys have posted

Castrol edge euro formula 0w-40 a3/b4

I did a lot of research and there's a lot of politics behind bmw's new oil recommendations. That's all I say but the above oil is great, much more protection and ironically I get better mpg's with this than I do bmw 0w-20.

[D041987]

Strongly recommend to never run anything lower than a 30 weight oil on these motors. Especially if you drive is hard. If you live in a cold climate like WA run 30 all year round. If you live in Cali, Nevada, Texas, Florida where it gets super hot your oil will break down faster and it is recommended to run 40 weight. Also change oil every 5K if you plan to keep the car as it's cheap and clean oil is better for piston rings, tiny oil galleries and turbo.

[M2_MEDUSA]

I used liquid molly 5w-40 every oil change with 1 bottle of ceratec every other oil change and ran that for about 80k miles. FBO E85+Meth. Beat the shit out of it too. Honestly abused it and feel kinda bad now that I think about it but never any issues.

[Billfitz]

I use Ceratec along with Molygen. After the initial bottle of Ceratec I've added 1/4 bottle every oil change. The ceramic particles in Ceratec get into the micro-cracks and crevices of the metal parts of the engine and bond there, so it's the initial application that has the greatest effect. After that you don't need to use a lot to maintain the protection it affords.

[Gen13 F36]

I use any oil that's on sale that meet BMW specification. Currently running 5w40 Pennzoil euro got it from Walmart.

The most important is that you keep up with maintenance...oil change at the proper time/ mileage and adjust accordingly if you drive the car hard / track it. If you track the car might as well spend on expensive oil I guess.

I know for a fact 90% of BMW enthusiast never track their car or drive hard for that matter.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck

[bgalakazam]

I am moving from Italy to Germany in a month. Car has exclusively had 5W-30. Should I look into 0W-20 now that weather will be a bit colder? I also run stage2 bm3 tune if that matters.

[Billfitz]

I've run 5w-30 since day one. The winters where I live are the same temperature as Bavaria.

[Gen13 F36]

Anyone use Valvoline European Formula...it say LL-01?

[Billfitz]

I just made the change to a blend of Canola, Olive and Grape seed oil. It provides Omega 3, Omega 6 and Vitamin E, but has a much higher smoke point than pure olive oil, so it's much better for frying.