[Dackelone]

BMW approved engine oil list! THE LIST!



I got this official BMW list of approved motor oils - from my local dealer.

IF your fuel is low (to none) sulfur (sulphur) you need to use LL-4. IF your fuel has high sulfur you need to use LL-1.



Basically if you live in the EU (plus Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein) – you should use a LL-4 type oil.

IF you live in the USA/Canada… you should use a LL-1 type oil.



Additionally any LL-1 or LL-4 oil shall have an API SM rating or higher.



Bellow is THE LIST of oils that BMW has approved for use in their engines. IF you don’t see your motor oil listed here… BMW says not to use it. Period.




Dackel.




BMW engine code and oil LL type codes…






NOTE:


The BMW oil 0w40 part #83210398504 is a full synthetic oil.
The BMW oil 5w30 part #83210398507 is NOT a synthetic oil!


BMW part numbers for LL-4 & LL-1 oils and THE LIST…

[dc5_champ88]

good sh!t. LOL @ Zylinder

[MatchesMalone]

Is it me or does this not have a "list" of LL-01 oils? All I see is a big list of LL-04's.

[kirklolson]

I own an E90 3 Series, an E60 5 Series, and two BMW Motorcycles (2012 K1600GT, and 2005 R1150RT).

Specifically, for my E90 and E60, I have used AMSOIL's European Synthetic Motor Oils for years. Personally, the best stuff I've used for the price and high quality. It's guaranteed and warrantied by AMSOIL, Does Not Void Factory Warranty (Warranty Link), and meets the LL-01 or LL-04 Specs. The best thing is that the LL-01 rated stuff is only $5.70 / Quart at the wholesale price by being a member of their Preferred Customer Program, and it ships right to my doorstep. I also get the Mann Oil filters (BMW's filter OEM manufacturer), for my BMW's from AMSOIL at wholesale prices. I just paid $19.00 for the oil filter for my 550i. AMSOIL is available to USA and Canadian Customers, Factory-Direct.

LL-01
AMSOIL EFM 5W-40 - Link

LL-04
AMSOIL AEL 5W-30 - Link
AMSOIL AFL 5W-40 - Link

Their Preferred Customer Program is here - Link
* Add this to your online cart first. Then all products will be at the reduced prices.

They also have a great Look-Up Guide - Here

[Vetteguy88]

Awesome thanks for the list!

[mweisdorfer]

Ams oils European 5w-40 full sap. I make sure I run the the ams cleaner through the engine for a good 15 min before I change the oil.

Also, I have a magnetic drain plug.

[123Britt]

Long list of some really good oils.
.
.
Although Redline is not on the list.
.
.
For a DI Turbocharged engine where low NOACK and Ester is needed -- I
find it compelling that the BMW Car Club of America is sponsored by and
recommends REDLINE OIL.
.
.
Long time M1 0W-40 user here - without issue. Redline 5w-30 really changed the sound of the hyd valve tapping -- quieted things down a bit + temp drop. Objective differences ~ GRP V OIL over GRP III / IV
.
Why did I switch --- NOACKof 6% . Tackle the valve cleaning (aka walnut blasting) and you will want an oil that supports DI engines & turbo heat. I believe that RL 5W-30 is one of only a few oils that meet the challenges of N54/N55.
.
OCI = 6K

[nachob]

Dackel, Is there a newer list? Also, I can't tell if they are approved or recommended. Do you know? I'm looking for best recommended replacement for N54 with 5w-40 weight.

Thanks!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by nachob

Dackel, Is there a newer list? Also, I can't tell if they are approved or recommended. Do you know? I'm looking for best recommended replacement for N54 with 5w-40 weight.

Thanks!

I am sure there is a newer list, but I don't have access to it. I've moved away from my great friendly BMW Zentrum.

ALL the oils on this list are approved oils from BMW AG for use in Europe(LL4 rating).

FYI... a LL4 rated(Europe, low sulfur fuels) oil meets LL1 specs(USA, ie high sulfur fuels), but not the other way around!

IF you are gonna go with BMW's long OCI(oil change intervals) then stick to a LL1 rated oil. But IF you are going to be changing your oil often, say every 5K miles, then you could use a good oil like Amsoil or Redline that doesn't have a LL1 rating. It is also better than one change their oil often, bc there is less change for the oil to thin out and cause carbon deposits on the intake tract/valves.

Dack

[dspence44]

Hey guys!

Doing an oil change on my '07 328i tomorrow and Canadian Tire happened to have a great sale on their Castrol Edge oil. I noticed on the approved oil sheet 5W-30 was approved, but 0W-40 was not on the list. Will this make any difference? Or is it safe to use the 0W-40 oil in my Bimmer?

Also, has anyone experienced any issues with the Fram oil filters? Fram Ultra Synthetic filters are on sale as well and I was wondering if they are safe to use in our cars.

Any input on either topic would be greatly appreciated!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by dspence44

Hey guys!

Doing an oil change on my '07 328i tomorrow and Canadian Tire happened to have a great sale on their Castrol Edge oil. I noticed on the approved oil sheet 5W-30 was approved, but 0W-40 was not on the list. Will this make any difference? Or is it safe to use the 0W-40 oil in my Bimmer?

Also, has anyone experienced any issues with the Fram oil filters? Fram Ultra Synthetic filters are on sale as well and I was wondering if they are safe to use in our cars.

Any input on either topic would be greatly appreciated!

As long as the oil you are using has a LL1(Long Life 1) rating, you should be fine. I would only use a BMW filter. Maybe a Mahle or Mann or Knecht would also be ok. Fram doesn't really make great stuff when it comes to filters. You get what you pay for.

Dackel

[Stage5Lurker]

Originally Posted by dspence44

Hey guys!

Doing an oil change on my '07 328i tomorrow and Canadian Tire happened to have a great sale on their Castrol Edge oil. I noticed on the approved oil sheet 5W-30 was approved, but 0W-40 was not on the list. Will this make any difference? Or is it safe to use the 0W-40 oil in my Bimmer?

Also, has anyone experienced any issues with the Fram oil filters? Fram Ultra Synthetic filters are on sale as well and I was wondering if they are safe to use in our cars.

Any input on either topic would be greatly appreciated!

I used Fram on my last oil change and a few days later my filter housing cap was leaking. Went to the local auto parts store and got another. Same thing happened again. Moral of the story is I think their o rings suck. Went with Wix and wont be looking back.

[Kirkies328]

I use royal purple and i dont see this on here and its some of the best oil u can buy.

[Meeni]

I am not sure I understand how to read that list. It lists in the same table diesel oil and other stuff, it is not clear what is LL1 and LL4 in the list and if I can substitute anything for anything (say can I use turbo-diesel LL4 oil in an N52?) .

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Meeni

I am not sure I understand how to read that list. It lists in the same table diesel oil and other stuff, it is not clear what is LL1 and LL4 in the list and if I can substitute anything for anything (say can I use turbo-diesel LL4 oil in an N52?) .

It is a German List. LL1 is for the US Market(high sulfur fuels), LL4 is for EU markets(low/no sulfur fuels). LL4 can also be used when LL1 is spec'd, but not the other way around.

This List is fairly old now. I am sure there is a new-er list from BMW now.

[ericold]

is there a new list of approvals ? because there are some new oils - grades that are entering the market again with bmw approval. like castrol 0-30 , mobil 1 esp 5-30 etc/