[seattleweather]

Have 2014 X3 and want to change the engine oil. What's the best after market filter and oil for it? I have seen Mobile, shell...

Thanks,

[TheCoolX3]

Id either go with the BMW TwinPower Turbo oil or Castrol.

[E90705]

Motul 8100, liquid moly, bmw TwinPower oil are good choices for oil. Only filter would be Mann oil filter.

[TheCoolX3]

Ive seen 1000 threads arguing over what is the best company and viscosity to run. Im looking for a simple answer with no arguments, I drive my car pretty rough and live in South Florida so its hot year round. So what is the best oil for my N55?

Originally Posted by E90705

Motul 8100, liquid moly, bmw TwinPower oil are good choices for oil. Only filter would be Mann oil filter.

[tracer bullet]

Originally Posted by TheCoolX3

Ive seen 1000 threads arguing over what is the best company and viscosity to run. Im looking for a simple answer with no arguments, I drive my car pretty rough and live in South Florida so its hot year round. So what is the best oil for my N55?

I think you already answered your own question. There is no simple answer, that is why there are arguments. If you want simple, just put in what BMW recommends, outside of that all bets are off.

[E90705]

5w-30, 0w-40, 5w-40. Just pick one and stick with it. More frequent changes over picking which one. 5k mile interval changes over the 15k probably more important.

[seattleweather]

Originally Posted by E90705

5w-30, 0w-40, 5w-40. Just pick one and stick with it. More frequent changes over picking which one. 5k mile interval changes over the 15k probably more important.

that's my next question. so we can pick anyone and stick with it? no matter 5w-30 or 0w-40? any benefit to do every 5k? I have seen 15K or every 2 years.

[tracer bullet]

Viscosity depends on weather, how you drive, what the engine is designed for... Personally I'd say use 0 over 5 for cold starts, but 40 or 30 for engine operating temps whatever BMW recommends. Is it in your manual or under your hood on a sticker? If so, you won't go wrong with it.

Change frequency depends also on how you drive, condition of engine (including but not limited to any injectors or coolant leaking internally), weather, driving conditions (in town versus dusty dirty roads since that stuff can get past the air filter), the quality of oil you used, how long it was on the shelf before being put in, what additives are in it in what ratios, and so on and so on. One safe way is to have an oil analysis done after say changing it at 3k, then trying 4k or 5k, and going from there to extend the service or dial it back in. If your oil is collecting stuff and wearing down you need to change it, if it's doing great then you don't need to.

There's just no one answer for everyone. For me it's annually or 5k miles whatever comes first and I use synthetic. Analysis by Blackstone says I can go longer but I just choose not to, it's just a thing I know to do every fall (I don't really go over the 5k per year since I have 2 vehicles I drive, plus the wife drives some, plus I bike a lot and when I do drive I only live 5 miles form work).

[BEACHCROC]

Recommend you use oil that meets LL-01 spec as identified in owners manual.
Current oil in US that meet that are.
Pennsoil Euro Platinum
Castroil Euro
And
BMW branded oils

Weights of 0w-40, 0w-30 and 5w-30 are all acceptable.

Just ensure the container says LL-01.

LL-04 is not better it is for diesel engines and cars that do not use sulfer fuels.

Molbil 1 used to meet the LL-01 spec but dropped the listing late 2015.

I now use Castrol 0w-40 in my 2014 X3 28iX when Mobil1 dropped Ll-01 Spec.

Walmart 5 qt jug of Castrol $22 to $28 pending rollbacks

[seattleweather]

Originally Posted by BEACHCROC

Recommend you use oil that meets LL-01 spec as identified in owners manual.
Current oil in US that meet that are.
Pennsoil Euro Platinum
Castroil Euro
And
BMW branded oils

Weights of 0w-40, 0w-30 and 5w-30 are all acceptable.

Just ensure the container says LL-01.

LL-04 is not better it is for diesel engines and cars that do not use sulfer fuels.

Molbil 1 used to meet the LL-01 spec but dropped the listing late 2015.

I now use Castrol 0w-40 in my 2014 X3 28iX when Mobil1 dropped Ll-01 Spec.

Walmart 5 qt jug of Castrol $22 to $28 pending rollbacks

I have 2014 X3 X28i, which is gasoline only. Do I need LI-01?

[BEACHCROC]

Yes BMW LL-01 rated oil.
BTW. LL stands for long life.

Turbo gas direct injected TGDI are known to get a lot of soot into oil as a byproduct of the turbo pressure and liquid fuel droplets that get by the rings.

You can follow the manufacturers recommended change out periods but I found that the oil became very dirty and drains a dark opaque black color. So I now change it not to exceed 5,000 miles or six months which ever comes first.

Suggest you do a Google search on "GDI or TGDI and soot in oil"

[seattleweather]

Originally Posted by BEACHCROC

Yes BMW LL-01 rated oil.
BTW. LL stands for long life.

Turbo gas direct injected TGDI are known to get a lot of soot into oil as a byproduct of the turbo pressure and liquid fuel droplets that get by the rings.

You can follow the manufacturers recommended change out periods but I found that the oil became very dirty and drains a dark opaque black color. So I now change it not to exceed 5,000 miles or six months which ever comes first.

Suggest you do a Google search on "GDI or TGDI and soot in oil"

thank you all for the help. you guys are great.

[TheCoolX3]

So in a hot climate and I drive the car pretty hard do I want 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-40?

[E90705]

I'd opt for 5w-30 or 5w-40 if I lived in florida.

[BEACHCROC]

0w-40 or 5w-40 would work.

The 0w-40 viscosity modifiers would break down just a little sooner than the 5w-40 all else being the same in the oil's additive package.

0w-40 would flow a little better on cold start up.

[oVeRdOsE.]

A lot of people had better result with liqui moly leichtlauf with those unreliable audi s engine. Cam follwer wear, balancer shaft self destruction, clugged oil pump and cam chain plastic tensionner wear. It also help lot of member with oil consumption, it breaks less with time and wear.its also safe for plastics, so less chain destruction.

So i put this in the n55, will see over time.

For filters i had both mann and mahle. I like mahle since if you compare both side to side, mahle seems better quality

[Bdavi011]

+1 on liqui moly. Just bought my X3. Noticed how dark the OEM fluid was after 3k miles of the oil change the dealership had done (according to service records). I wont be following the 15k intervals. I will be changing every 5-6k miles with liqui moly 5w-40. Cheap insurance for the engine and turbo. 3k miles in with liqui moly and no abnormal engine noises or consumption. Just my .02 cents.

[marc x]

Originally Posted by seattleweather

Have 2014 X3 and want to change the engine oil. What's the best after market filter and oil for it? I have seen Mobile, shell...

Thanks,

Dude just go to the dealer and buy the oil, or use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum because BMW is contracted with SHELL OILS as of today.

DO NOT USE MOBILE ONE oils, there is too many additives in their oil and it will poison the CATS and greatly reduce their lives!

[TEF]

Agreed. Shell and Pennzoil are one in the same. Whether it is labeled Shell or Pennzoil depends on where the oils are marketed. For example, it's Shell in Europe and Pennzoil in the US, and possibly Canada. To buy imported German oil at $60/container or Pennzoil BMW blend at Walmart for $24 would not be a hard choice for me.

[seattleweather]

looks like mann filter and pennzoil are the best selections

[Riick]

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is probably top 3 best oils sold today in the world and like $25 a gallon at Walmart.

Florida? 5w30.

[TheCoolX3]

I am in the Tampa area and I went with 5w-40 just because its hot year round and performs better at higher ambient temps

Originally Posted by Riick

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum is probably top 3 best oils sold today in the world and like $25 a gallon at Walmart.

Florida? 5w30.