[300B]

Originally Posted by carl_d

The oil MUST say "BMW LL01" on the label regardless of the other numbers!!!

Not for the E90 in the US.

It doesn't even mention the LL-01 nor the new LL-04 rating in the owners manual.

[300B]

I think the best off the shelf oils avalible here(US)for newer BMW's are:

Castrol Syntec 0W30 European Formula(called SLX in Europe).It meets a lot of Euro specs including the outdated LL-01 and it's made in Germany.PAO base.The 212.0f viscosity as the OEM BMW HP 5W30 and A3 rated.

Mobil 1 0W40.Meets a lot of Euro specs,slightly thicker than the Castrol 0W30.PAO base.A3 rated.

Mobil 1 5W30,good all around oil.Thinner than the others but still is recommended by BMW.Easy to find.PAO base.

BMW HP 5W30(stuff sold at the dealer)aka Castrol Softec TXT.Good product,meets A3 rated.Made with a conventional group III base oil(aka super dino oil).A good product nonetheless.

[carl_d]

I read on Castol's site that LL04 is for diesel cars and LL01 is for petrol cars???

I cannot see a 0W-30 oil which is LL04 for petrol cars. The only LL04 oil for petrol cars is 0W-40.

Which oil do you use?

Originally Posted by 330m

LL01 is an older spec, they are now up to LL04! (which is 0W-30 in fact)

The Castrol LL04 is £14.99 for 1 litre in the UK ($28)