[Kodak]

FYI
In case anyone is looking for motor oil, Advanced Auto Parts has a sale now, Castrol Edge w/Syntec 5 qt jug , 1 for $33.99, 2 for $29.99

Advanced Auto Parts
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcs...2013-flexi.pdf

Umm, the BOGO special on the same oil is obviously the better deal because then you're getting six quarts of oil for ~$27.

[mi_bimmer]

Not much luck finding the 0W30 locally, and their website says "Item not available for delivery" (Part No. 06244 )
Bummer

[jacobsed]

Is this the exact same oil as BMW Full Synth at the stealership? Its my understanding Castrol makes the BMW oil but you couldn't buy it anywhere accept the dealer.

[Surly73]

Careful:

- Castrol does make the dealer 5W30, but it *is not* Syntec 5W30 or Edge 5W30. The latter two oils do not have the shear resistance of the European formulas

- Castrol 0W30 has the proper shear resistance (look for ACEA A3 rating on the bottle) and is not sold in anything other than quart bottles

- Syntec/Edge 5W30 is thinner and less robust than the 0W30 despite what you might think about the retail labelling.

I'm really anal about this stuff. The best widely available cold weather oils that meet BMW requirements are Castrol Syntec 0W30 (must say ACEA A3, European Formula and Made in Germany on the bottle or it isn't the right stuff) and Mobil1 0W40.

The Mobil1 shears down to a 30 weight in a couple thousand miles (shown in my used oil lab reports and dozens of others posted on the 'net) so I've stuck with Syntec 0W30 as my winter oil for years.

[cisach]

this is the oil to get? (Car says in Florida 100% of the time)

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...=castrol+0w30+

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by cisach

this is the oil to get? (Car says in Florida 100% of the time)

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...=castrol+0w30+

Not if those specs are actually right (not something you can always trust).

Issues:

• It says API SN, the right stuff is still API SL
• it says ACEA A1, the right stuff is ACEA A3

Originally Posted by cisach

this is the oil to get? (Car says in Florida 100% of the time)

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...=castrol+0w30+

Yes. That is pretty much the only "good" off the shelf Castrol worth paying for IMO. Certifications be damned!

[cisach]

Originally Posted by Surly73

Not if those specs are actually right (not something you can always trust).

Issues:

• It says API SN, the right stuff is still API SL
• it says ACEA A1, the right stuff is ACEA A3

I will check the bottle at the store. The Other "BMW" oil - Castrol 5w40 is LL01 now and the specs here are not updated.

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...chTerm=castrol

[cisach]

Originally Posted by FCobra94

Yes. That is pretty much the only "good" off the shelf Castrol worth paying for IMO. Certifications be damned!

What about the 5w40 that is LL01 and BMW approved in terms of the labeling.

some pics:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...2&postcount=10

Originally Posted by cisach

What about the 5w40 that is LL01 and BMW approved in terms of the labeling.

some pics:
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...2&postcount=10

The 5w40 is still just a Group III hydrocracked oil. The 0w30 is a TRUE synthetic made from PAO/Esters, not Group III.

In the end, it all depends on what OCI you decide to run, what your UOAs come back looking like, etc. Every user/application is different in regards to what they feel comfortable with.

[cisach]

Thanks for reply . I would like to OCI around 7500 miles or 6-8 months. I don't push the car very much - no mods...

[phillip@bmpdesign]

The biggest benefit of Genuine BMW oil is not only that it is a full synthetic blend, but the detergent package and shear resistance are what enable it to be a "15k mile" oil. The oil is specifically built for your engine, but your engine is also built specifically for this oil and is very sensitive to the molecular size and detergent package of the oil used.

Other oils aren't poisonous to your engine, but will require more frequent changes and closer monitoring. We usually suggest 12-14k and 1year and have never had a problem while continuing to use Genuine BMW oil in our service shop. At less than $8 a quart, its really not a bad price for peace of mind.

[Kodak]

Forgot to update, the correct oil is the Castrol Edge w/Syntec SPT version that is LL01 according to the label.

Originally Posted by Kodak

FYI
In case anyone is looking for motor oil, Advanced Auto Parts has a sale now, Castrol Edge w/Syntec 5 qt jug , 1 for $33.99, 2 for $29.99

Advanced Auto Parts
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/wcs...2013-flexi.pdf

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by phillip@bmpdesign

The biggest benefit of Genuine BMW oil is not only that it is a full synthetic blend, but the detergent package and shear resistance are what enable it to be a "15k mile" oil. The oil is specifically built for your engine, but your engine is also built specifically for this oil and is very sensitive to the molecular size and detergent package of the oil used.

Other oils aren't poisonous to your engine, but will require more frequent changes and closer monitoring. We usually suggest 12-14k and 1year and have never had a problem while continuing to use Genuine BMW oil in our service shop. At less than $8 a quart, its really not a bad price for peace of mind.

+1. 100% agree. 200K on my engine using BMW oil and filter at 17,500 mile OCIs.

[cisach]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

+1. 100% agree. 200K on my engine using BMW oil and filter at 17,500 mile OCIs.

BMW oil as in OEM purhased from dealer or from dealer oil change are you reffering to GC?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by cisach

BMW oil as in OEM purhased from dealer or from dealer oil change are you reffering to GC?

I don't understand your question, but hopefully this will answer it.

Oil as in BMW-branded 5W-30 included as part of the E90 oil change kit (with original equipment BMW oil filter) offered and sold by Tischer BMW (getBMWparts.com) for $76.

[pjm]

Lots of talk about this stuff over at BITOG. New Castrol 0-40 Euro Formula with LL01 approval.....
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...92#Post2846492

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by pjm

Lots of talk about this stuff over at BITOG. New Castrol 0-40 Euro Formula with LL01 approval.....
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...92#Post2846492

I used to be an avid participant at BITOG for years, but due to various issues haven't had time for the last while.

I'll be interested to see some UOAs and more information on how shear stable this "new" oil is.