[boostme92]

I was wondering what was the best synthetic oil out there and what weight. I am currently using Mobil1 5w-30. Is Royal Purple really better and how do I find out if there is an oil cooler in my car. My car was made 3/2007. Also, can the dealer detect if you are using an aftermarket plug and play?

[BOOST3D]

royal purple is good i used it in the past w no problem but now going to switch over to redline oil and i always use 5w40 it keeps the car a little bit cooler. you can check for the oil cooler in the passenger side fender you should be able to see if you have it or not. as for the tune they cant tell most of the time but you need to be careful.

[DTRJ]

MOBIL 1 5/30 IS NOT BMW APPROVED. I BELIVE IF YOU USE MOBIL 1 YOU MUST USE 0/40. WHY NOT GET THE BMW OIL. IT IS ALMOST THE SAME PRICE??

Originally Posted by boostme92

I was wondering what was the best synthetic oil out there and what weight. I am currently using Mobil1 5w-30. Is Royal Purple really better and how do I find out if there is an oil cooler in my car. My car was made 3/2007. Also, can the dealer detect if you are using an aftermarket plug and play?

[Oulixes]

Dackelone reported from Danberg, Germany, that German BMW dealers use and sell "Original BMW" oil that is listed as SAE 0W-40. If you are curious, you can see a one-liter bottle of the oil at
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...&highlight=oil

[ac328]

Eneos 0w50 is what I use.

[Dackelone]

I think the BEST oil to use is one that BMW has approved.

That means:

BMW oil sold thru the dealer
Mobil-1 0w40 (black label)
German Castrol Edge RS
and a few other brands... ?

We had a little survey over at 1addicts a while back... the one oil that everyone seemed to use was the oil sold thru the BMW dealers. A close 2nd was Mobil-1's black label euro blend oil. It was like a 60/40% split in opinions.

Since I am over here in Germany... and I refuse to pay 23 euros PER liter for the BMW oil... I buy my Mobil-1 oil on base($6.50 per qt). The German Castrol(GC) oil costs 50 euros for a five liter jug. Also a no go for me!

One thing that might be confusing is that the GC and the new oil sold thru the dealer over here... is that those two oils are rated by "BMW as LL-4". Long Life 4, that is mostly bc the fuels over here are formulated different than in the USA.

As long as the oil you are using says: "BMW Long Life 1" or (LL-1) you are golden.

This is the ONLY Mobil-1 oil that carries a BMW LL-1 rating!




German Castrol Edge RS oil... list price 79 euros, my best price is 50 euros - still way too much mulla.


This is the newest BMW oil sold at the German BMW dealers...




- David -

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I think the BEST oil to use is one that BMW has approved.

That means:

BMW oil sold thru the dealer
Mobil-1 0w40 (black label)
German Castrol Edge RS
and a few other brands... ?

We had a little survey over at 1addicts a while back... the one oil that everyone seemed to use was the oil sold thru the BMW dealers. A close 2nd was Mobil-1's black label euro blend oil. It was like a 60/40% split in opinions.

Since I am over here in Germany... and I refuse to pay 23 euros PER liter for the BMW oil... I buy my Mobil-1 oil on base($6.50 per qt). The German Castrol(GC) oil costs 50 euros for a five liter jug. Also a no go for me!

One thing that might be confusing is that the GC and the new oil sold thru the dealer over here... is that those two oils are rated by "BMW as LL-4". Long Life 4, that is mostly bc the fuels over here are formulated different than in the USA.

As long as the oil you are using says: "BMW Long Life 1" or (LL-1) you are golden.

This is the ONLY Mobil-1 oil that carries a BMW LL-1 rating!




German Castrol Edge RS oil... list price 79 euros, my best price is 50 euros - still way too much mulla.


This is the newest BMW oil sold at the German BMW dealers...




- David -

David you lucky SOB. There isn't a LL04 0w-XX oil sold in the US.

As for the OP..there is not real need for a 'summer' oil. Any LL01 30 or 40 weight oil will be fine.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by boostme92

I was wondering what was the best synthetic oil out there and what weight.

This is a loaded question on this forum, so you might want to do a search first, as people fall into certain groups of thought on this subject. I will give you my feeling on this subject, as it was derived from combining this forum's thoughts, with those of www.Bobistheoilguy.com. First of all, the type of engine you have in your 3-series matters. For the N54, its a good idea to first look for BMW LL01+ oil. IMHO, the only thing to be gained from this approval is the fact that these oils can survive in an engine that has a lot of fuel dilution. There are several brands other than Mobil that make BMW LL01 oils. Motul, and Total come to mind. I stayed away from Mobil 1 0W-40 because of reports of shearing from Used oil analysis. Personally, I use Total 0W 30, for the winter, and Total 10W 50 for the summer (with some racing).

I hear really good things about Motul 300V which is also BMW approved.

Originally Posted by boostme92

I am currently using Mobil1 5w-30. Is Royal Purple really better and how do I find out if there is an oil cooler in my car. My car was made 3/2007. Also, can the dealer detect if you are using an aftermarket plug and play?

Mobil 1 5W 30 is the wrong oil for your engine. Royal purple should be far superior to M1 5W 30. It is in fact PAO based, and very pricey. However it is not BMW LL01 approved. Meaning, Royal Purple hasn't paid BMW to run tests on their oil. So, we don't know how the oil will handle extreme fuel dilution. The extreme heat of the N54 though should be no problem. Many people on this fourm use the oil, and we aren't seeing any negative side effects attributed to Royal Purple. You can tell if you have an oil cooler by checking for vents by your right tire hub. Even if you don't have an oil cooler, don't panic. You won't have any heat issues, if you select a good oil.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

One thing that might be confusing is that the GC and the new oil sold thru the dealer over here... is that those two oils are rated by "BMW as LL-4". Long Life 4, that is mostly bc the fuels over here are formulated different than in the USA.

It is very important to note that only BMW feels that low SAP oils(LL04) shouldn't be used in US gasoline engines, due to "fuel quality" issues. Audi/VW, and mercedes on the other hand, approve these types of oils for both gasoline, and diesel engines, in the US.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Turkeybaster115

It is very important to note that only BMW feels that low SAP oils(LL04) shouldn't be used in US gasoline engines, due to "fuel quality" issues. Audi/VW, and mercedes on the other hand, approve these types of oils for both gasoline, and diesel engines, in the US.

Yes, this is an important point!!

For cars in Europe only LL4 oils should be used.
For cars in the USA, only LL1 oils should be used.

I think the other reason is all the fuel over here in Germany has no to little sulphur in the blend. Not so in the USA!

I also think that in order to prevent exsesive carbon build up... not to go with long oil changes as this "thins" the oil out and makes it more prone to vaporize - and form carbon deposits. I think for anyone who will be keeping thier car a long time... frequent oil changes are called for. 5K miles or so.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Yes, this is an important point!!

For cars in Europe only LL4 oils should be used.
For cars in the USA, only LL1 oils should be used.

I think the other reason is all the fuel over here in Germany has no to little sulphur in the blend. Not so in the USA!

I also think that in order to prevent exsesive carbon build up... not to go with long oil changes as this "thins" the oil out and makes it more prone to vaporize - and form carbon deposits. I think for anyone who will be keeping thier car a long time... frequent oil changes are called for. 5K miles or so.

I've read with the Audi's in Europe due to the high quality of gasoline they can run in 'lean burn' mode and greatly reduce the amount of intake carbon deposits. Unfortunately that's not the case in the US.

[Turkeybaster115]

Originally Posted by Socom

I've read with the Audi's in Europe due to the high quality of gasoline they can run in 'lean burn' mode and greatly reduce the amount of intake carbon deposits. Unfortunately that's not the case in the US.

FYI, Total Ineo MC3 5W 30, despite its recent base oil change, seems to be pretty damn good stuff. Its holding temps even in 90 deg temp, after 9,000 miles of use. Probably due to its additive package. My cars oil analyzer also isn't showing much degredation. However, I will still switch to Quartz 0W 30

[Bakeme521]

Why wouldn't you just use the BMW performance oil they call for?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by hamilton_wong

Hopefully that is an empty bmw motor oil bottle, it has an expiration date of 2009.

Noop! Brand new liter of oil. I took that pic at my BMW parts Dept.

What do you ecpect for 23 euros!!! lol <jk>

I do not think that is the exp date, but rather the "made on date" or for you beer fans... "Born on Date"! lol Not sure how long oil is good for? Two or three years is my best guess. ???