[oogabooga]

I know this issue has been discussed in other forums but I couldn't find any solid info on a comparison between these two oils as they pertain to their performance and level of protection in a N54 engine. Anyone tried both of these oils and actually have lab results for them? I am trying to decide between the two and am not sure which one our high temperature, turbo charged engine will like. I live in Los Angeles so I am leaning towards the PU 5w-40 but I also realize that the GC runs thicker than usual?

Thanks in advance and I realize that the people who run GC will swear by GC and vice versa for PU but I am more interested in lab comparisons between the two rather than starting a flame war here.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by oogabooga

I know this issue has been discussed in other forums but I couldn't find any solid info on a comparison between these two oils as they pertain to their performance and level of protection in a N54 engine. Anyone tried both of these oils and actually have lab results for them? I am trying to decide between the two and am not sure which one our high temperature, turbo charged engine will like. I live in Los Angeles so I am leaning towards the PU 5w-40 but I also realize that the GC runs thicker than usual?

Thanks in advance and I realize that the people who run GC will swear by GC and vice versa for PU but I am more interested in lab comparisons between the two rather than starting a flame war here.

Considering that BMW is dropping Castrol and switching to Shell, I'd go with the Pennzoil (made by Shell).

[oogabooga]

That's interesting. I didn't know that Castrol was being dropped. The PU 5w40 is indeed a group IV oil that runs well in direct injected turboed cars?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by oogabooga

That's interesting. I didn't know that Castrol was being dropped. The PU 5w40 is indeed a group IV oil that runs well in direct injected turboed cars?

If it says BMW LL-01 (the PU Euro does), you can't go wrong.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Considering that BMW is dropping Castrol and switching to Shell, I'd go with the Pennzoil (made by Shell).

This doesn't anything other than 2 large corporations ending a business arrangement. It most likely has everything to do with money. Besides the factory bmw "castrol" is very different from the gc 0w-30.

[oogabooga]

The PU 5w-40 euro is a group 4 oil and is therefore in the same class as GC right?

[Casca]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

This doesn't anything other than 2 large corporations ending a business arrangement. It most likely has everything to do with money. Besides the factory bmw "castrol" is very different from the gc 0w-30.

Some changes I see in BMW is getting rid of things that are very good quality but cost a bit more and switching to things that are cheaper and good enough for X time/miles. Just because BMW discontinued using something doesn't mean they replaced it with something better.

[oogabooga]

assuming that the oils are of equal quality... it seems that the difference in viscosity will also play a role here. It looks like going with the 5w40 PU as opposed to the 0w30 GC will compromise lubrication at start up. However, is it safe to assume that the 5w40 PU will offer better protection for the N54 at its normal operating temperatures around 230-260 degrees where the 0w30 might be a tad bit too thin?

Maybe all of this crap doesn't even matter and I should just flip a coin since I will be changing oil every 5,000 miles no matter which one i go with.

[123Britt]

I agree . My N54 is running very strong at over 100k. Changing the oil often is very important in an N54 due to fuel dilution inherent in a DI car. The high heat and poor PCV design also contributes. So find the cheapest LL-01 which is usually M1 0W-40 and OCI at 5k. Although, I have been running RL 5-30 for the past 2 changes. GC is really good just more $. I just like the 6% NOACK that RL provides.
.
In fact , my 07 runs so good -- I am having a hard time deciding on what my future replacement will be.

[gtaccord]

I would be willing to try both oils but I just changed the oil a few thousand miles ago so it will likely be over a year before I have results since I use a 10k oci.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by 123Britt

I agree . My N54 is running very strong at over 100k. Changing the oil often is very important in an N54 due to fuel dilution inherent in a DI car. The high heat and poor PCV design also contributes. So find the cheapest LL-01 which is usually M1 0W-40 and OCI at 5k. Although, I have been running RL 5-30 for the past 2 changes. GC is really good just more $. I just like the 6% NOACK that RL provides.
.
In fact , my 07 runs so good -- I am having a hard time deciding on what my future replacement will be.

5k oci is a waste. I had several oil analysis done on gc in the past which showed very little fuel contamination and the oil still had life beyond 12k miles which is the last oci i tried on my other 335. Of course i do almost all interstate driving but at least go 7500 or 10k miles.

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

This doesn't anything other than 2 large corporations ending a business arrangement. It most likely has everything to do with money. Besides the factory bmw "castrol" is very different from the gc 0w-30.

If there were a "tongue-in-cheek" smiley, I would have used it.

[vm]

Originally Posted by oogabooga

It looks like going with the 5w40 PU as opposed to the 0w30 GC

In case you didnt know, German Castrol is now available at 0W40 viscosity and is available at Walmart in 5 quart jugs. Made in Germany and LL01. See:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...pics/2846492/2

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by vm

In case you didnt know, German Castrol is now available at 0W40 viscosity and is available at Walmart in 5 quart jugs. Made in Germany and LL01. See:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...pics/2846492/2

+1

[oogabooga]

I didn't know that. I will have to try the pennzoil and 0w-40 GC. I guess the only thing attractive about the pennzoil is that I have read that it's cleaning addictive works well with direct injected engines

[nis270r]

Some oil wear test I found, i guess that's why BMW is switching to Pennzoil. Not that Castrol is bad for our engine, it's just something else better came along haha.

http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30483

[oogabooga]

Thanks for the article! I wonder why they didn't test the German Castrol also. I am trying to decide between 3 oils now haha. 5w40 Pennzoil Ultra Euro, 0w40 Pennzoil Ultra (for the SRT engine), or German Castrol 0w40

[oogabooga]

Actually, for my next change I am going to go with the 0W40 Pennzoil Ultra Euro Formula.... I'll let everyone know how that goes.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by oogabooga

Actually, for my next change I am going to go with the 0W40 Pennzoil Ultra Euro Formula.... I'll let everyone know how that goes.

Sooo... how did it go?

[PA66400]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

5k oci is a waste. I had several oil analysis done on gc in the past which showed very little fuel contamination and the oil still had life beyond 12k miles which is the last oci i tried on my other 335. Of course i do almost all interstate driving but at least go 7500 or 10k miles.

Totally agree. No reason an N54 should not do a 10k OCI on a good synthetic with Noack volatility of less than or equal to 11. You're going to have to walnut blast it regardless of short OCI - there is no evidence that a 5k OCI reduces need for walnut blasting.