5k Oil Change

[E90Fleet]

So basically for all LL-01 countries, which is everywhere except Europe, LL-01 0W-40 is recommended if available, but otherwise use LL-01 5W30


The 0W-30 is a LL-01FE oil. The FE standing for Fuel Economy. It is not available in all markets and its only difference from the regular LL-01 is fuel economy saving

[SD ///M4]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

0W-40 oil has taken some time to be available in many markets and still is not available everywhere.
So manuals forts called for the 5W-30 one that is easily available.

In markets that use LL-01 oil they are now calling for 0W-40 where it is available. Else 5W-30 (see below from BMW's service system)

In certain European countries where LL-04 is approved (only approved in Europe and only in countries with very clean fuel) you can use the LL-04 0W-30.

2016 US M4 manual calls for 0W-40 since its available in the USA and the USA uses LL-01 oils (See below)

My 2016 US paper M4 manual states:

When selecting an engine oil, make sure that the engine has the viscosity grade SAE 0W-30. Alternatively, also engine oils with the SAE viscosity grades SAE 5W-30, SAE 0W-40, OR SAE 5W-40 can be used.

It also states that suitable engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 FE and alternative engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 and API SL or superior oil rating.

The 2016 PDF M4 manual, downloaded from bmwusa.com, states:

When selecting an engine oil, ensure that the engine oil belongs to the viscosity grade SAE 0W-40, or malfunctions or engine damage may occur. As an alternative, you can also use motor oils with a viscosity grade of SAE 0W-30

It also states that suitable engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 FE and BMW Longlife-01.

In another post I found discussing oil types from 2015, someone from Germany stated that after being told 5W-30 by their dealer, they contacted BMW M in Garching and were told by an M engineer that the engine design was done with 0W-30 oil.

I went through my receipts, and the 1200 mile/2000 km M "run-in service", which was performed by an M-certified dealer near Stuttgart during my Euro Delivery in May 2016, was done with 0W-40 LL-04 oil.

So BMW is kind of all over the map with their oil recommendations. Supposedly US BMW dealers were using 5W-30 because 0W-30 wasn't available. But I was going through my records and receipts today and remembered that I went to a dealer shortly after my redelivery in July 2016 and bought a spare quart of oil and it was 0W-30.

I chose 0W-40 for my own interim oil change because it was the BMW M Twin Power Turbo oil. For my first oil change under the free maintenance I'm going to ask the BMW dealer to use 0W-30 or 0W-40.

EDITED to add: I forgot to mention that on the underside of my hood there's a black label that has the oil can symbol and the text "SAE 0W-30". No manufacturer specification or LL-01 specification. There's also a square symbol that looks like a QR code, but it's pretty small and my phone won't scan it.

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

My 2016 US paper M4 manual states:

When selecting an engine oil, make sure that the engine has the viscosity grade SAE 0W-30. Alternatively, also engine oils with the SAE viscosity grades SAE 5W-30, SAE 0W-40, OR SAE 5W-40 can be used.

It also states that suitable engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 FE and alternative engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 and API SL or superior oil rating.

The 2016 PDF M4 manual, downloaded from bmwusa.com, states:

When selecting an engine oil, ensure that the engine oil belongs to the viscosity grade SAE 0W-40, or malfunctions or engine damage may occur. As an alternative, you can also use motor oils with a viscosity grade of SAE 0W-30

It also states that suitable engine oil types are BMW Longlife-01 FE and BMW Longlife-01.

In another post I found discussing oil types from 2015, someone from Germany stated that after being told 5W-30 by their dealer, they contacted BMW M in Garching and were told by an M engineer that the engine design was done with 0W-30 oil.

I went through my receipts, and the 1200 mile/2000 km M "run-in service", which was performed by an M-certified dealer near Stuttgart during my Euro Delivery in May 2016, was done with 0W-40 LL-04 oil.

So BMW is kind of all over the map with their oil recommendations. Supposedly US BMW dealers were using 5W-30 because 0W-30 wasn't available. But I was going through my records and receipts today and remembered that I went to a dealer shortly after my redelivery in July 2016 and bought a spare quart of oil and it was 0W-30.

I chose 0W-40 for my own interim oil change because it was the BMW M Twin Power Turbo oil. For my first oil change under the free maintenance I'm going to ask the BMW dealer to use 0W-30 or 0W-40.

My dealership and a couple of others I know about only stock their inventories with 0w-30 now, so I just run that during the winter and 6 months later I run 0w40 (on my dime). I prefer the 40w though, so just ordered it through ecs tuning.

[gatorfast]

My electronic owners manual on the idrive says 0w30 recommended and 5w30 as alternative. Car is a 2015.

Very odd that BMW has different recommendations in different printings for the same vehicle. Regardless, any LL01 oil will do and they are all similar enough to not worry about it.

[bradleym]

took car last month to dealer for 10k oil change -- here is the blackstone analysis of the oil that was removed. seems to be in pretty good shape, flashpoint a little lower than would like....

planning to change again at 15k.

any comments or advice?