Oil choice 2017 X3 28i x-drive

DAC17 · 11-02-2016, 06:43 PM

Looking at my first oil change for my wife's X3. Sticker on the hood says 0W20, but manual says you can use 0W30 or 0W40. I thought our 2013 X3 took 0W40, and I'm wondering if the new specs simply have to do with EPA FE ratings.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

Tjalle · 11-03-2016, 01:28 AM

Recommendation in manual is generic, I would go for 0W20.

Be sure you use Castrol.

BODBR01 · 04-20-2017, 06:52 AM

Castrol is good oil don't get me wrong. But check out Amsoil - pure Group 4 fully synthetic and meets BMW LL-01. Read the numerous reviews and comparisons to Moibil1, LiquiMoly and Rotella. It's awesome oil. Engine runs cooler and better MPGs. Have used it in wife's Honda, M class Benz, Land Rover, 66 Shelby, and now X3.

Barbera335 · 04-20-2017, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjalle

Recommendation in manual is generic, I would go for 0W20.

Be sure you use Castrol.

BMW doesn't use nor recommend Castrol anymore. BMW is using Shell oil now. Also, the 0W-20 recommendation is purely for fuel economy and is doing your engine no favors. I would use 5W-30 oil in that engine, IMO.

alpwhite46 · 04-20-2017, 10:00 AM

I use 5W30 Only - Liqui Moly
If that was not in stock I would use Mobil1

Tjalle · 04-20-2017, 10:07 AM

It's correct that BMW as of 2015 is using Shell, but oil does not change overnight. I don't know if switch is for cost for BMW or if Shell has come up with a super oil, but one thing is for sure: using Castrol will not destroy your engine- not even mixing the two. When a car manufacturer switches oil, they do it conservatively.

I am up for oilchange in the fall, and will buy what ever "my" ex-BMW mechanic will offer, it being Shell or Castrol - bought under the correct brand, at half price.

Gamb1t · 04-20-2017, 04:12 PM

Wow.... 0w20 seems pretty thin. Must be for gas mileage reasons. I'd stick with 5w30 at least. Turbo engines run hot.
Shorten OIC keeps your X3 happy. Well unless if you lease then you probably don't care.

BODBR01 · 05-02-2017, 01:38 PM

Please do not discount Amsoil. Meets BMW LL-01 spec and read all the reviews. Head to head with LiquiMoly, Shell and Mobil1 reflects outstanding performance. Been running 0W40 here in hot FL climate. Past cars I've used it in, Shelby, M class Benz, land Rover, wife's Honda. Note engine runs a little cooler and a small noticeable increase in MPG. When you change at 10K interval, still looks almost new.

11-02-2016, 06:43 PM	#1
DAC17 Long live BMW M's! 171 Rep 368 Posts Drives: 2023 CT5-V Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Oil choice 2017 X3 28i x-drive Looking at my first oil change for my wife's X3. Sticker on the hood says 0W20, but manual says you can use 0W30 or 0W40. I thought our 2013 X3 took 0W40, and I'm wondering if the new specs simply have to do with EPA FE ratings. Any thoughts? Thanks. __________________ 2023 Cadillac CT5-V 2022 Mazda MX-5 (manual) 2022 Chevy Bolt (being a little environmental)
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11-03-2016, 01:28 AM	#2
Tjalle Major 183 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: X4 35i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	Recommendation in manual is generic, I would go for 0W20. Be sure you use Castrol.
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04-20-2017, 06:52 AM	#3
BODBR01 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Jax, FL iTrader: (0)	Go with Amsoil Castrol is good oil don't get me wrong. But check out Amsoil - pure Group 4 fully synthetic and meets BMW LL-01. Read the numerous reviews and comparisons to Moibil1, LiquiMoly and Rotella. It's awesome oil. Engine runs cooler and better MPGs. Have used it in wife's Honda, M class Benz, Land Rover, 66 Shelby, and now X3.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-20-2017, 10:00 AM	#5
alpwhite46 First Lieutenant 90 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 35i Mpkg Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I use 5W30 Only - Liqui Moly If that was not in stock I would use Mobil1
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04-20-2017, 10:07 AM	#6
Tjalle Major 183 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: X4 35i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	It's correct that BMW as of 2015 is using Shell, but oil does not change overnight. I don't know if switch is for cost for BMW or if Shell has come up with a super oil, but one thing is for sure: using Castrol will not destroy your engine- not even mixing the two. When a car manufacturer switches oil, they do it conservatively. I am up for oilchange in the fall, and will buy what ever "my" ex-BMW mechanic will offer, it being Shell or Castrol - bought under the correct brand, at half price.
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04-20-2017, 04:12 PM	#7
Gamb1t Major 598 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: 330i,X1,Z4,Solstice GXP, RX-8 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canukistan iTrader: (0)	Wow.... 0w20 seems pretty thin. Must be for gas mileage reasons. I'd stick with 5w30 at least. Turbo engines run hot. Shorten OIC keeps your X3 happy. Well unless if you lease then you probably don't care.
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05-02-2017, 01:38 PM	#8
BODBR01 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2013 X3 M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Jax, FL iTrader: (0)	Oil Choices Please do not discount Amsoil. Meets BMW LL-01 spec and read all the reviews. Head to head with LiquiMoly, Shell and Mobil1 reflects outstanding performance. Been running 0W40 here in hot FL climate. Past cars I've used it in, Shelby, M class Benz, land Rover, wife's Honda. Note engine runs a little cooler and a small noticeable increase in MPG. When you change at 10K interval, still looks almost new.
	Appreciate 0 Quote