[imquittingthecult]

Before anyone attacks me I tried clicking on the N20 Technical Guide Thread and it seems to be a broken link.

I am wanting to change my own Oil now, as Im at about 98000 miles, way past warranty and my local dealer/indy shop is charging $150+ for an oil change.

I can change the oil myself, it doesnt seem that hard but Im curious as to weather I should use 5qts of the BMW Twin Turbo 0w30 oil. Is 5 qts enough? I read a lot of conflicting arguments on whether 5qts or 5.3qts (1L) should be added to the engine.

Just looking for the general consensus on this topic.

[muniz_ri]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

Before anyone attacks me I tried clicking on the N20 Technical Guide Thread and it seems to be a broken link.

I am wanting to change my own Oil now, as Im at about 98000 miles, way past warranty and my local dealer/indy shop is charging $150+ for an oil change.

I can change the oil myself, it doesnt seem that hard but Im curious as to weather I should use 5qts of the BMW Twin Turbo 0w30 oil. Is 5 qts enough? I read a lot of conflicting arguments on whether 5qts or 5.3qts (1L) should be added to the engine.

Just looking for the general consensus on this topic.

I put in exactly 5qts and the level always checks out spot on.

[Billfitz]

I put in 5L of Liqui Moly Molygen 5w30 and it measures 100%. I wouldn't use 0w in Florida. Make sure you change the filter, using an OEM Mann or Mahle, which includes a new drain plug. You can't re-use the old one.

[imquittingthecult]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I put in 5L of Liqui Moly Molygen 5w30 and it measures 100%. I wouldn't use 0w in Florida. Make sure you change the filter, using an OEM Mann or Mahle, which includes a new drain plug. You can't re-use the old one.

Is there a benefit with going with liqui Moly Molygen over the BMW oil?

[sspade]

5.3qt is the capacity of the N20.

You can get away with the 5qt jug but I always buy one additional 1qt bottle and split it between 4 oil changes. That way Im adding around 5.2 or so each change (tough to drain 100% of oil so maybe .1 stays in).

This has been working for me and Im on my second N20 powered F30.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

Is there a benefit with going with liqui Moly Molygen over the BMW oil?

It, along with CeraTec additive, gave me 2 MPG better mileage. There's nothing special about BMW oil, it's rebranded. I don't know who's they're using now, but over the years they've used Shell, Pennzoil and Castrol, and probably others as well.

[learntocode]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

Before anyone attacks me I tried clicking on the N20 Technical Guide Thread and it seems to be a broken link.

I am wanting to change my own Oil now, as Im at about 98000 miles, way past warranty and my local dealer/indy shop is charging $150+ for an oil change.

I can change the oil myself, it doesnt seem that hard but Im curious as to weather I should use 5qts of the BMW Twin Turbo 0w30 oil. Is 5 qts enough? I read a lot of conflicting arguments on whether 5qts or 5.3qts (1L) should be added to the engine.

Just looking for the general consensus on this topic.

Engine oil service (N20, N26)
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ngine/FGkyxE0g

11 40 Oil supply N20 / N26 / B20
Oil grades and consumption:
see recommended engine oils for BMW Group engines
Capacity, engine oil change with oil filter element, AWD Litres 4,8
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...ngine/I4sfDybp

[328iX]

I'm just going to write this up for you so nothing confuses you.


Grade: 5w-30, or 5w-40, some people run 0w-40 due to limited selection or climate reasons

Capacity: 5.3 quarts OR 5 liters (5 liters is approx 5.3 quarts)

Spec: LL-01 This limits your options.

Walmart has 5w-40 Castrol euro and 0W-40 Mobil 1 euro that both meet LL-01 spec (Keep in mind you will need 6 quarts since they aren't sold in 5l bottles)

Online you can find Liquimoly and other euro spec brands. I purchase 5w-30 Liquimoly part#2249 off Amazon

Filter: Mann HU 816 X or
HU 816 Z for RWD

Available on Amazon for approx. $9 each. Or any other compatible filter you desire.



Torque specs:

Oil drain plug spec is 18.5 ft/lbs (X-drive models only with metal sump)
Oil filter cannister torque spec is approx. 19 ft/lbs

I just do both to 20 ft/lb without issue.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by 328iX

Filter:Mann HU 816 X Available on Amazon for approx. $9 each. Or any other compatible filter you desire.

HU 816X is for xDrive only. It includes a new crush washer for use with the metal drain plug used on xDrive. It does not include the required new plastic drain plug used on RWD. The correct filter for RWD is the HU 816 Z.

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

HU 816X is for xDrive only. It includes a new crush washer for use with the metal drain plug used on xDrive. It does not include the required new plastic drain plug used on RWD. The correct filter for RWD is the HU 816 Z.

Correct. Same filter media. Just different included items.

I actually bought the Napa filter before and it came with both x drive components and rwd

[imquittingthecult]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I put in 5L of Liqui Moly Molygen 5w30 and it measures 100%. I wouldn't use 0w in Florida. Make sure you change the filter, using an OEM Mann or Mahle, which includes a new drain plug. You can't re-use the old one.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...427640862kt-lm

Does this seem right? It comes with the oil you mentioned and the filter.

[Billfitz]

That kit is fine. It is Liqui Moly, but not Molygen. Liqui Moly makes at least four BMW compatible oils.

[imquittingthecult]

Originally Posted by 328iX

I'm just going to write this up for you so nothing confuses you.


Grade: 5w-30, or 5w-40, some people run 0w-40 due to limited selection or climate reasons

Capacity: 5.3 quarts OR 5 liters (5 liters is approx 5.3 quarts)

Spec: LL-01 This limits your options.

Walmart has 5w-40 Castrol euro and 0W-40 Mobil 1 euro that both meet LL-01 spec (Keep in mind you will need 6 quarts since they aren't sold in 5l bottles)

Online you can find Liquimoly and other euro spec brands. I purchase 5w-30 Liquimoly part#2249 off Amazon

Filter: Mann HU 816 X or
HU 816 Z for RWD

Available on Amazon for approx. $9 each. Or any other compatible filter you desire.



Torque specs:

Oil drain plug spec is 18.5 ft/lbs (X-drive models only with metal sump)
Oil filter cannister torque spec is approx. 19 ft/lbs

I just do both to 20 ft/lb without issue.

Originally Posted by Billfitz

That kit is fine. It is Liqui Moly, but not Molygen. Liqui Moly makes at least four BMW compatible oils.

I found this
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-liqui_mo...SABEgI9qfD_BwE
But it doesnt say LL-01. Is this what you use?

What is the benefit of 5w30 over 0w30 being that I am in Florida?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

Gotcha, I found a Liqui Moly Molygen 5w30 5 Liter kit. I will go with that.

What is the benefit of 5w30 over 0w30 being that I am in Florida?

I don't see an LL-01 approval for 5w-30 Molygen, only for the 5w-40. If it matters to you.

The difference is 0w has better flow at colder temperatures than 5w, a minimal difference but it's there.

With you being in Florida the warmer year round temperatures don't really require you to run a 0w, but it still is a good thing for cold starts. Being as the engine is rated for 5w-30 It's not necessary for a 0w.

[imquittingthecult]

Originally Posted by 328iX

I don't see an LL-01 approval for 5w-30 Molygen, only for the 5w-40. If it matters to you.

The difference is 0w has better flow at colder temperatures than 5w, a minimal difference but it's there.

With you being in Florida the warmer year round temperatures don't really require you to run a 0w, but it still is a good thing for cold starts. Being as the engine is rated for 5w-30 It's not necessary for a 0w.

I just caught that the 5w30 was not LL-01.

Would it be bad if I put 5w40?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

I just caught that the 5w30 was not LL-01.

Would it be bad if I put 5w40?

It wouldn't be bad. Better if you push your car hard as well. I'm switching to 5w-40 next oil change as I feel like 5w-30 thins out too much with heat and my tune.

[imquittingthecult]

Originally Posted by 328iX

It wouldn't be bad. Better if you push your car hard as well. I'm switching to 5w-40 next oil change as I feel like 5w-30 thins out too much with heat and my tune.

Thanks, I guess Im going to go with the Liqui Moly Molygen at 5w40.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by imquittingthecult

I just caught that the 5w30 was not LL-01.

There's nothing all that special about LL. LL is a BMW trademark. It's not an official oil industry designation.

Would it be bad if I put 5w40?

Not in Florida. I wouldn't use it in the snow zone.

[RMachuca3d]

I've used 0w40 castrol euro spec on all of my boosted cars since 2011 (german 5w30 before 2016ish i think, they changed it to belgium made 0w40), have not had a single issue, its widely available (even walmart carries the 5qt jugs) and priced competitively.