[jwduffett]

I know you all are probably tired of answering this but I just wanted your opinions.

I just bought a 2013 X3 x28i 85k and I am about to change the oil and I was just going to put in what I use in all my Mercedes (Mobil1 0w40 Euro) but I got to reading all these changes of oil by BMW and others not wanting to switch from Castrol so I'm just curious to what you all are using.

Thanks

[ina93]

I switched to Mobil 1 0W40 on my 35i last service and it's been great so far. I've noticed that I can go a bit longer before having to top up oil; 5000 miles vs 3000 on Castrol 5W30. It may be a placebo but my engine also seems a bit quieter now as well.

[wrp]

The Mobil1 0w40 oil no longer has the BMW LL-01 long-life spec, so you should not drive more than 5,000 miles before changing this oil. The Castrol 0w40 Euro oil is probably best.

[jwduffett]

I decided to go with BMW branded 0W30 for 8.99 a Quart. from bimmerworld.com

[Fast4d]

I noticed that during the free maintenance period cold starts will result in noisy valve train.

I think dealer was using 10w-30

I started using mobil one euro formula 0w-40. it is now quiet during cold start.

[Dima1978]

Castrol 0w40.

[pokerface]

my mechanic poured in Liqui Moly 5w30 in our X3's first service since the covered maintenance period expired from BMW. I'll update with some feedback if any ... doubtful I'll notice anything over the bulk oil the dealership uses.

[E90705]

bmw 5w-30 works great

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...-oilchgkit6327

[malicem3]

Mobil/Castrol/Liqui Moly 5w30

[Eurocar11]

We also have a 2013 X3 2.8i. Been using Mobil 1 0-40w for a couple of years now. No issues whatsoever. But I change it every 6 months, so maybe that plays into it also.

[xlr8nbimbo]

Liqui Moly 5w30 for both my BMW's and Liqui Moly 5w40 for my Porsche 996. German oil all the way man.

[CloudX]

Castrol or Liqui-Moly. I like the Castrol Edge 0w40.

[FSociety]

Bmw has been using 0w-30 and 5w-30 in North East (Free Oil)
I'll be switching to 40 Liqui Moly or Motul

http://www.aet-turbos.co.uk/blog/sto...charger-damage

[marc x]

BMW dealer oil for me. The dealer was using Castro’s and switched contracts to penzoil some years ago. And bmw also switched from 5-30 to 0-30 only a year half ago stating “it’s better for the turbos.”

With that, penzoil ultra platinum has been proven to be cleaner than even Mobil 1 and also the ultra plat oil is 99.9 % pure & that means a whole lot in the world of oil.
The more pure the oil means that There will be absolutely no sludge !!! This happens because the new penzoil doesn’t contain contamination.,, it is the contaminant and additives that’s burns and creates sludges.
Also 0w oil is much more stable in more extreme cold and heat even outside of the controlled temperature ranges (ex, summer heat, freezing winter)

More interesting is the m5 comes from the factory with 10-60 oil but that oil is much tooo thick for winter but great for extreme temps of the high performance motor. So it’s better to switch between winter blends and summer blends with certain bimmers.

[marc x]

Check out this link


Https://www.yourbestpicks.com/best-s...ic-motor-oils/

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by marc x

Check out this link


Https://www.yourbestpicks.com/best-s...ic-motor-oils/

Of those oils, only the castrol edge, and liqui moly should go in your BMW, IMHO.

[Killerfish2012]

Originally Posted by Eurocar11

We also have a 2013 X3 2.8i. Been using Mobil 1 0-40w for a couple of years now. No issues whatsoever. But I change it every 6 months, so maybe that plays into it also.

M1 0W40 was such a great oil, and I used to exclusively use it, but they recently had a formula change, and it lost the LL-01 approval. I've since switched to castrol edge 0W40 which is not as good to the old M1, but it's close enough.

[bgrpph]

i used TOTAL energy 9000 5w-40 for last oil change on my '14 X3 35i- It's LL-01 rated & also has A-40 Porsche rating. Going to use it for wifes '07 Boxster S at next change.

[romero1990]

Sorry reviving a old thread. I am going to start DIY oil change as free maints' gone for my 17" N20.

The dealer has been using 0W-30. It might have to do the car was originally spec-ed for Nebraska, but then get transported to NorCal for me. I don't really see needs for low temp oil and thinking about going with ones that is more suitable for warm weather. Should I go something like 5W-30 or 0W-40 as the other folks use?

thanks

[carsbill]

Everyone is going to have their favorite oil. Just like the marketing move whereby BMW switched from Castrol to Shell. Use a good quality synthetic oil and you will be fine. Personally I prefer Total Energy 9000 5W40 used in 335ix X3 35ix and Z4. Motul is also another quality brand

[richardodn]

For BMW specifications, browse these documents https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...engine/1fkMICg

In particular, read this document https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...engine/1NBygtn
and this one https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/f...engine/1PSryV8 Follow the links at the top of each column for names of approved oils.

BMW specs for the N20 are LL-01, LL-01 FE, and LL-17 FE+.
Specs for the N55 are LL-01 and LL-01 FE.

FE stands for Fuel Economy and is typically a lower viscosity oil. LL-17 FE+ is a 0W20 oil to reduce internal engine friction. This is a direction most manufacturers are moving towards. However LL-17 FE+ are not widely available. Personally, I'd stick with the LL-01 oils unless you're really trying to get the absolute best fuel economy.

Personally I use Castrol Edge SAE 5W-40 US version which is available at Wal-Mart at a reasonable price. $25/5 quart jug.

[oVeRdOsE.]

indeed, oil need to have the right grade for a major reason : plastics.

there's a ton of reason, but plastic are the most important for engine failure.

Audi and bmw are know to timing chain tensioner issues, They crack and broke, so the chain / cam , ultimately the engine fail.

I'm using Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High Tech 5W40, since for the price, its one of the best for german technology. and since I own probably one of the less reliable engine, audi/vw 2.0t fsi.

see the test, this oil score high on metal wear. This is also a great criteria of selection, since bmw are known to got connecting rod bearing issue, hpfp issue, and they got start-stop tech.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...pgg/edit#gid=0

test that we need, is long term lab testing. I saw few online, but not in a spread sheet, I wish I can find more. Liqui was not that bad on lab test, it keep properties for a while.

overall amsoil was the best, but good luck to find it cheap, and no quite sure its bmw approved.