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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > Why is it a pain every year to find out what oil BMW recommends?
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      10-18-2020, 07:37 AM   #1
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Why is it a pain every year to find out what oil BMW recommends?

Every few years BMW changes their recommended oil. It was Mobil 1 LL-04, then Castrol LL-04 A3/B3... Why is is such a pain to find what the latest approved oil brand/type/spec is for the current year?

Trying to find what the latest BMW approved oil is for a 2012 328i sedan N26 engine (after May 2012 manufacture). I am not interested in racing formulas.

Last edited by fe7565; 10-18-2020 at 08:38 AM..
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      10-18-2020, 07:59 AM   #2
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Because you are making your life difficult. You would be fine with any fully synthetic oil and a good OCI. Use FCPEURO to source the goods.
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      10-18-2020, 08:10 AM   #3
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Castrol Edge 0w-40 Euro at Walmart.
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      10-18-2020, 09:24 AM   #4
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LL isn't an oil industry spec, it's a BMW designation. LL on a label means that oil company is paying BMW for the right to put it on the label. The numbers that follow LL refer to the year that particular formula came out. When Mobil 1 had LL04 on the label it's because they paid the BMW royalty. When it was dropped from the label it's not because the oil changed, it's because they stopped paying the royalty. What BMW 'approved' really means is that BMW is getting a piece of the action.
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      10-18-2020, 09:44 AM   #5
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Thanks for the replies. I have 90,000 miles, do not see any oil usage, live in the DC area, normal driving. What viscosity do you recommend? BMW says 5-30. I am looking at 0-30, 0-40.
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      10-18-2020, 10:56 AM   #6
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0w is only of benefit in very cold climates during winter. DC is not a very cold climate. 30 is a general all purpose weight, 40 is more of a hot climate during summer or track weight.
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      10-18-2020, 11:05 AM   #7
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Not really a pain, the listing is available on newtis. Or just pay the $5/qt and get BMW branded one and no guesses needed. Oil in Europe is so expensive (15-20€ / qt aftermarket), getting BMW at 5 is a steal.
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      10-18-2020, 07:32 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fe7565 View Post
Every few years BMW changes their recommended oil. It was Mobil 1 LL-04, then Castrol LL-04 A3/B3... Why is is such a pain to find what the latest approved oil brand/type/spec is for the current year?

Trying to find what the latest BMW approved oil is for a 2012 328i sedan N26 engine (after May 2012 manufacture). I am not interested in racing formulas.
Just shop certs. It's really that easy. The euros will update existing certs and I don't see any new certs coming down since the 20w are covered.

Oh, and BTW.. the dealer oil is really good stuff and is formulated to the most recent update. ex, LL01(2018), LL01FE(2018).
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      10-19-2020, 02:32 PM   #9
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What I find funny is the parts department at the dealership will sell the BMW branded oil, but if you take a look in the service bays you'll see barrels of Mobil 1, Castrol, Penzoil, etc.

Some times it even rotates depending on what they bought...probably based on prices from their suppliers.
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      10-19-2020, 03:47 PM   #10
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Dealers aren't the only ones to do that. BMW regularly changes its oil supplier, depending on who gives them the best price. Over the last 20 years they've rebranded Valvoline, Castrol and Shell/Pennzoil, probably others as well.
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      10-25-2020, 09:31 AM   #11
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Well, ended up getting the Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil.
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      10-25-2020, 09:35 AM   #12
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That's as good as any, at a good price.
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      10-25-2020, 09:37 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
That's as good as any, at a good price.
Walmart, 5 qts, $23w/tax. Feel guilty not buying an expensive oil
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