[Supremegee]

I'm FBO with stage 2 tune bootmod3 f30 335i
And I wanted to know what would be the best oil to run, currently running 5w30 liquid moly any comments would be appreciated

[Gen13 F36]

Continue using the same thing.... your all good to go Sir

[Zanity]

I switch from Liqui Moly to this, Pennzoil is the actual BMW factory OEM oil, I use 5W-40, because more viscosity = less engine wear, at the cost of a bit of mpg, which I'm ok with.

[MacklinUSOB]

The clean and fresh kind.

Liqui Moly is a trusted brand, I just go with OEM but may soon make the switch to Molygen to help pinpoint any leaks as my car ages. BMW used Castrol as OE until 2015 where they switched to Penzoil.

[BigJack75]

I'm using this. BMW 0W30 TwinPower Turbo LL-01FE Engine Oil (1 Liter) - Genuine BMW 83212365950

[EDWYER]

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...&highlight=oil

[Busa1]

Originally Posted by Zanity

I switch from Liqui Moly to this, Pennzoil is the actual BMW factory OEM oil, I use 5W-40, because more viscosity = less engine wear, at the cost of a bit of mpg, which I'm ok with.

Just did the same thing last weekend

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Zanity

I switch from Liqui Moly to this, Pennzoil is the actual BMW factory OEM oil, I use 5W-40, because more viscosity = less engine wear, at the cost of a bit of mpg, which I'm ok with.

One should keep in mind that the greater proportion of engine wear occurs during/immediately after cold startup, thus low viscosity at ambient temp conditions, yields better flow to more quickly lubricate the bearings.

I'm not sure one gains a whole lot running say 5W40 vs 5W30. One might in fact gain more by running a zero weigh viscosity.

I run 0W40 (I'm in warm climate) in my X3; normally aspirated I-6 motor. But I presume recommended viscosity is perhaps different for turbo charged engines.

[Zanity]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

One should keep in mind that the greater proportion of engine wear occurs during/immediately after cold startup, thus low viscosity at ambient temp conditions, yields better flow to more quickly lubricate the bearings.

I'm not sure one gains a whole lot running say 5W40 vs 5W30. One might in fact gain more by running a zero weigh viscosity.

I run 0W40 (I'm in warm climate) in my X3; normally aspirated I-6 motor. But I presume recommended viscosity is perhaps different for turbo charged engines.

You may have a point for the low viscosity startup lube speed, but is 0W40 recommended in the manuals ? 5W40 is listed and I probably won't use something that's not recommended in the manuals.

[Gen13 F36]

You guys think too much about oil. BMW specify the specifications to use on there car. Any oil that pass BMW is good to use. You can get the cheapest or the expensive oil.

For the weight, you can check under the hood for the recommended oil weight. The only time I will ever change weight is the application (car) use has change ie you going to track the car, you going to move and start living on a cold climate place or vise versa.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Zanity

You may have a point for the low viscosity startup lube speed, but is 0W40 recommended in the manuals ? 5W40 is listed and I probably won't use something that's not recommended in the manuals.

Agreed, use what's recommended. In my case (N52 motor) the owners manual states that 5W30 is the 'BMW approved' oil then goes on to state that one can use 0W30, 0W40 or 5W40. Typically the climate determines the viscosity one will choose....so I'm in warm, actually mild climate so I choose the 0W40.

Modern synthetic oils are so good in terms of lubrication/longevity that one can't hardly go wrong here

[IraHayes]

I prefer a 5w-40. I was using the same Pennzoil Zanity has listed above, recently switched to MolyGen. Whatever BMW recommends will work just fine. I just sent a sample of the Pennzoil to Blackstone for analysis, will be interesting to see what the results were.

[jsouth]

Originally Posted by Wgosma

Agreed, use what's recommended. In my case (N52 motor) the owners manual states that 5W30 is the 'BMW approved' oil then goes on to state that one can use 0W30, 0W40 or 5W40. Typically the climate determines the viscosity one will choose....so I'm in warm, actually mild climate so I choose the 0W40.

Modern synthetic oils are so good in terms of lubrication/longevity that one can't hardly go wrong here

I agree with your last statement -- synthetics are very good oils. However, warmer climates would indicate a thicker oil base (HIGHER number on the first part, not lower). My BMW motorcycle calls for 10W40 oil, but living where I sometimes ride in the 90's and 100's F, I use 20W50. In my 328i, I use 5W30 LL-01.

[bgalakazam]

BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30 LL-01. I am in Europe so I use LL-04. Price for genuine in USA is so cheap, no reason not to use it.

[harkes]

My last three oil reports on Motul Excess

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by jsouth

I agree with your last statement -- synthetics are very good oils. However, warmer climates would indicate a thicker oil base (HIGHER number on the first part, not lower). My BMW motorcycle calls for 10W40 oil, but living where I sometimes ride in the 90's and 100's F, I use 20W50. In my 328i, I use 5W30 LL-01.

For the majority of US drivers a "5w" is technically fine from an engine wear perspective but a 0w might be slightly better for the typical short tripping/low speed driving style of a BMW owner regardless of location.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by bgalakazam

BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30 LL-01. I am in Europe so I use LL-04. Price for genuine in USA is so cheap, no reason not to use it.

BMW moved the US Fleet to LL01FE (HTHS 3.0) and LL14FE (0w20)

A technician told me he heard a rumor that BMW was trying to reduce Valvtronic and other issues by going to 0w30 (LL01FE). The vast majority of BMWs sold in the US are leased commuters (stop-n-go, low speed).

We now have ULSG but it's not as consistent as it is in EU so we'll probably never get LL04/LL12 OK'd to use.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Zanity

I switch from Liqui Moly to this, Pennzoil is the actual BMW factory OEM oil, I use 5W-40, because more viscosity = less engine wear, at the cost of a bit of mpg, which I'm ok with.

More viscosity does not mean less engine wear.


If you start your car in the cold with a thicker oil that = more engine wear


If you use a thicker oil not designed for your engines clearances (clearances between the crank/connecting rod bearings) = more wear

Just use what's recommended. Going from 0w-40 to 5w-40 is nothing drastic and completely safe in a hot climate, but would not advise in a cold climate.

[IraHayes]

I think you’re reading too much into the winter ratings. Even a 10W rated oil will flow at 20 below. As long as you’re using an oil that falls within manufacturers specs, you’re fine. The main thing to look out for with the heavier/thicker oils is not to go with so something so thick that it can’t readily flow at a sufficient rate through oil galleys throughout the engine, starving areas of lubrication.

[Zanity]

Originally Posted by 328dX

More viscosity does not mean less engine wear.


If you start your car in the cold with a thicker oil that = more engine wear


If you use a thicker oil not designed for your engines clearances (clearances between the crank/connecting rod bearings) = more wear

Just use what's recommended. Going from 0w-40 to 5w-40 is nothing drastic and completely safe in a hot climate, but would not advise in a cold climate.

Thicker oil does provide more engine protection, dont take my word for it, google is your friend, either way, as long as you use recommended viscosity, its fine, both 5W30, 5W40 are recommended in the manual, so you can do what you like. Don't need to start talking about thick oils not designed for the car, thats just a lack of common sense and stupidity. I did my research and I decide on the thicker 5W40 for several reasons based on my local climates and my low mileage engine.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Zanity

Thicker oil does provide more engine protection, dont take my word for it, google is your friend, either way, as long as you use recommended viscosity, its fine, both 5W30, 5W40 are recommended in the manual, so you can do what you like. Don't need to start talking about thick oils not designed for the car, thats just a lack of common sense and stupidity. I did my research and I decide on 5W40 for several reasons based on my local climates and my low mileage engine.

A quick google search? Provide me solid evidence as I have.

I literally said 5w-30/40 doesn't make a difference but your statement thicker = more protection is simply not true

You sound like you don't know what clearances are and how an engine operates to produce oil pressure.

[Zanity]

I'm busy at the moment, this is all im going to say right now, my local area reaches over 33 degrees C outside in the summer, and only drops to -10 C in the coldest winter, so tell me how the lower viscosity 5W30 is better than 5W40 for my car? Heres a basic chart i quickly pulled, note the operating ambient temperature range but seriously, google and do some learning.

I quote:" 5W40 is a motor oil that penetrates to the active mechanisms faster, and provides excellent lubrication on start up. The number "40" implies that it differentiates from the most common motor oil (30) among the cars, as it is denser, and this ensures more profound engine lubrication during hot temperatures."