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      07-17-2019, 12:44 AM   #1
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I have a 2016 F36 w/ the N26 engine; under the hood it specifies that I use 0W-20 oil and I want to stick to the recommended oil by BMW (I live in California btw).

Are there any other oils that meet BMW standards (i.e LL-01, LL-14+) and are aligned w/ the 0W-20 specs that are not the rebranded BMW oil the dealer sells?

I spent about 2 hours now trying to find the best oil to use in my car since my oil change will be a DIY and is due in about 600 miles.
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      07-17-2019, 12:50 AM   #2
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I always used mobil1 for my N26
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      07-17-2019, 01:12 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by bmwchue View Post
I always used mobil1 for my N26
Well I was researching about certain oils and many people have said that Mobil 1 does not meet BMW standards anymore; BMW switched to Pennzoil so I was trying to find out if platinum full synth 0W-20 would suffice.
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      07-17-2019, 02:54 AM   #4
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been running Castrol 0w40 belgium made (previously german castrol, google it) and everything is peachy (knock on wood).

At 5k miles OCI, it still looks good\clean, im sure we can go much longer, but its cheap insurance.
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      07-17-2019, 03:59 AM   #5
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Have used both Mobil 1 and Liqui Moly in my N26. Both w40. And neither "approved" currently by BMW. I would never run water... I mean w20 in mine.

Regardless of what you choose, make sure to change it every 5k and youll be fine.
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      07-17-2019, 07:44 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
Well I was researching about certain oils and many people have said that Mobil 1 does not meet BMW standards anymore; BMW switched to Pennzoil so I was trying to find out if platinum full synth 0W-20 would suffice.
The only standard an oil has to meet to get an LL classification is to pay BMW a royalty. LL isn't an industry standard, it's a BMW trademark. BMW changes oil suppliers like LeBron changes teams, they go with whichever company gives them the best deal.
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      07-17-2019, 07:52 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
Well I was researching about certain oils and many people have said that Mobil 1 does not meet BMW standards anymore; BMW switched to Pennzoil so I was trying to find out if platinum full synth 0W-20 would suffice.
The only standard an oil has to meet to get an LL classification is to pay BMW a royalty. LL isn't an industry standard, it's a BMW trademark. BMW changes oil suppliers like LeBron changes teams, they go with whichever company gives them the best deal.

good info. I think boogie cousins is a more apt comparison though!
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      07-17-2019, 08:07 PM   #8
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LL01(LL04) requires an HTHS of 3.5 or more. That will be 0/5w-30/40 oils.

LL01FE(LL12FE) has a HTHS of 3.0 and will be a 30w.


Everything else is going to be 0w20.

Last edited by F32Fleet; 07-17-2019 at 08:42 PM..
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      07-17-2019, 08:09 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
Well I was researching about certain oils and many people have said that Mobil 1 does not meet BMW standards anymore; BMW switched to Pennzoil so I was trying to find out if platinum full synth 0W-20 would suffice.
The only standard an oil has to meet to get an LL classification is to pay BMW a royalty. LL isn't an industry standard, it's a BMW trademark. BMW changes oil suppliers like LeBron changes teams, they go with whichever company gives them the best deal.
Ah okay, makes sense. No wonder I couldn't find any jugs w "LL-01" approved on the back anymore I guess. Being from LA, go Lakers!!
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      07-17-2019, 08:09 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The only standard an oil has to meet to get an LL classification is to pay BMW a royalty. LL isn't an industry standard, it's a BMW trademark. BMW changes oil suppliers like LeBron changes teams, they go with whichever company gives them the best deal.
This is utter bullshit.

It's only a couple of thousand to get an oil certified.
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      07-17-2019, 08:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
Ah okay, makes sense. No wonder I couldn't find any jugs w "LL-01" approved on the back anymore I guess. Being from LA, go Lakers!!
LL01 is a dying specification with BMW moving to 20w oils. Mercedes and Audi/VW are moving away from these heavier oils as well.
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      07-17-2019, 08:13 PM   #12
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I did a search up on the actual pennzoil website; input my vehicle info (2016 F36 GC, N26 engine cus it's SULEV) and I was quoted for Pennzoil Euro Ultra Platinum 0W-40, even tho my engine label states 0W-20.

Would any harm come from following the websites recommendation? Sorry, I'm new to all these oil labels and terms lol
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      07-17-2019, 08:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
I did a search up on the actual pennzoil website; input my vehicle info (2016 F36 GC, N26 engine cus it's SULEV) and I was quoted for Pennzoil Euro Ultra Platinum 0W-40, even tho my engine label states 0W-20.

Would any harm come from following the websites recommendation? Sorry, I'm new to all these oil labels and terms lol
It's LL01 and fine for your vehicle. See link for oil certs for your engine.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...l-note/1PSryV8


https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...l-note/1NBygtn
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      07-17-2019, 08:26 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F32Fleet View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
I did a search up on the actual pennzoil website; input my vehicle info (2016 F36 GC, N26 engine cus it's SULEV) and I was quoted for Pennzoil Euro Ultra Platinum 0W-40, even tho my engine label states 0W-20.

Would any harm come from following the websites recommendation? Sorry, I'm new to all these oil labels and terms lol
It's LL01 and fine for your vehicle. See link for oil certs for your engine.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f32-435i-cou/repair-manuals/00-maintenance-general-note/1PSryV8
Much appreciated!
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      07-17-2019, 09:02 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F32Fleet View Post
This is utter bullshit.
It's only a couple of thousand to get an oil certified.
I guess you're unfamiliar with the concept of royalties. Where LL is concerned BMW gets a piece of the action with every container sold that has LL on the label. The same applies to Mercedes getting paid for oil that has MB on the label. Now if you really believe that an oil not LL rated is inadequate for BMW usage, consider the aforementioned Mobil 1. It's recommend by Porsche.
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      07-18-2019, 06:58 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I guess you're unfamiliar with the concept of royalties. Where LL is concerned BMW gets a piece of the action with every container sold that has LL on the label. The same applies to Mercedes getting paid for oil that has MB on the label. Now if you really believe that an oil not LL rated is inadequate for BMW usage, consider the aforementioned Mobil 1. It's recommend by Porsche.
BMW is not GM (Dexos). They don't collect royalties on oil certs. The approval is good for iirc 3 yrs after which the blender will have to send in a new sample for testing. Yes the oils get run through bench tests.

I never claimed that an oil which lacked an approval is detrimental. The purpose of oil certs is to give the consumer piece-of-mind that an oil WILL NOT cause problems with regards to wear and engine performance over the prescribed drain interval regardless of the blender/cost. It's easier for customers to to shop certs because of the performance differences between oils which have the same weight. For example regular M1 5w30 used to have a HTHS under 3 which was below the min allowed by BMW. M1 has since reformulated this product.
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      07-18-2019, 05:21 PM   #17
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My car came with BMW 0w20 fill oil from the dealer - 2016 N26 328i. I am going with 0w30 LL-01 next oil change.

I don't think 0w20 is good unless you're just commuting and driving the car lightly. It'll probably get very good fuel economy though. 0w40 is kinda excessive if you're not taking the car to the track. 0w30 seems to be a happy medium IMHO.
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      07-25-2019, 11:33 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Z K View Post
My car came with BMW 0w20 fill oil from the dealer - 2016 N26 328i. I am going with 0w30 LL-01 next oil change.

I don't think 0w20 is good unless you're just commuting and driving the car lightly. It'll probably get very good fuel economy though. 0w40 is kinda excessive if you're not taking the car to the track. 0w30 seems to be a happy medium IMHO.
That's odd they changed it for one year. My 2015 N26 328i came factory filled with 0/30.
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      10-19-2019, 05:22 PM   #19
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As per BMW. Oil selection is pretty straightforward and I never understood the need to avoid what BMW tells you is recommended and what is allowed. If you choose not to follow BMW's guidelines, then pick any oil you want because it's the cheapest or because it's used in a Porsche or a Ferrari.
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      10-19-2019, 06:50 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffwiinF36 View Post
Well I was researching about certain oils and many people have said that Mobil 1 does not meet BMW standards anymore; BMW switched to Pennzoil so I was trying to find out if platinum full synth 0W-20 would suffice.
BMW branded 0w-20 falls under the European specification of ACEA A1/B1. Pennzoil 0w-20 Ultra Platinum meets that spec, so you are good there if that’s what you choose to use. It wouldn’t surprise me if Pennzoil Ultra Platinum (or the European equivalent from Shell, which owns Pennzoil ) is what the original fill was. That said, are you sure that’s what you should be using? I downloaded the owners manual for your car, and recommendations are for viscosities from 0w-30 up to 5w-40.

Last edited by IraHayes; 10-19-2019 at 07:11 PM..
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      10-24-2019, 01:43 PM   #21
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