Looking for German Castrol in the United States (Chicago)

[OLEK135i]

Having poured over posts about German Castrol 0w-30 and where to buy it, there is nothing current for 2014. Having searched the internet, all I found was something on Amazon that is also contradictory (it clearly states that it is made in Belgium). There are sites that offer Castrol 0w-30, but you are unable to "view" the back of the bottle to see if it is indeed made in Germany. Seeing the many benefits, I would like to acquire for my next DIY oil change, that I should do in the next month. Anyone see anything recently (please do not troll, I have spent hours looking on the forum and other sites, and have found nothing recent). Also visitied local autozones and did not find bottles that said made in germany on the back. Thank you in advance.

[OLEK135i]

and on another note, can I use this:http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03101-...=castrol+0w-40
? Looking at the bottle, it says made in germany and it is LL-01 compliant. Dackelone are you out there?

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by OLEK135i

and on another note, can I use this:http://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03101-...=castrol+0w-40
? Looking at the bottle, it says made in germany and it is LL-01 compliant. Dackelone are you out there?

I believe Castrol has changed the production locations of their oils. It appears that several people are finding the 0W-40 is made in Germany now and the 0W-30 is made in Belgium. Both oils will work in your car and their tech specs are almost identical, except for viscosity (0w-30 is a "thick" 30W though).

My Advance Auto Parts carries both oils and has them on sale all the time. Walmart also carries the 0W-40 now for ~$25 for 5Q.

[OLEK135i]

Ah Ha! Thank you Iron Man. Any recommendations if I take my car to the track often between the thin 0w-40 and the thick 0w-30?

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by OLEK135i

Ah Ha! Thank you Iron Man. Any recommendations if I take my car to the track often between the thin 0w-40 and the thick 0w-30?

I think either one would work for you, but I would choose the 0W-40 if I were you.

[jafo1701]

The 0w 30 on Amazon is the European Formula. I just ordered another case. It clearly states European Formula on the bottle and is BMW LL01 approved. I started using it my last oil change and noticed that it works well as far as oil temps go. I've done 4 track days on the oil and two of the days the car was Co driven so essentially 6 track days. I'm sending in a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis after I change the oil tomorrow. I was using Mobil 1 0w 40 prior to the Castrol 0w30 for track purposes. The Blackstone labs tests on the Mobil 1 0w 40 were outstanding, but heard the German Castrol kept oil temps a little cooler so I gave it a try. Temps did seem to stay lower as last track weekend temps hit near 90 and oil temps never went above 270. Previously with the Mobil 1 temps would hit 280 with temps in the mid 80s. All non scientific of course. If the tests results come back positive I'll stick the the German Castrol over the Mobil 1 0w 40

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I believe Castrol has changed the production locations of their oils. It appears that several people are finding the 0W-40 is made in Germany now and the 0W-30 is made in Belgium. Both oils will work in your car and their tech specs are almost identical, except for viscosity (0w-30 is a "thick" 30W though).

My Advance Auto Parts carries both oils and has them on sale all the time. Walmart also carries the 0W-40 now for ~$25 for 5Q.

+1. Yes... the BMW oil sold at German dealers is also made in Belgium. The above statement is true from what I know.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jafo1701

The 0w 30 on Amazon is the European Formula. I just ordered another case. It clearly states European Formula on the bottle and is BMW LL01 approved. I started using it my last oil change and noticed that it works well as far as oil temps go. I've done 4 track days on the oil and two of the days the car was Co driven so essentially 6 track days. I'm sending in a sample to Blackstone Labs for analysis after I change the oil tomorrow. I was using Mobil 1 0w 40 prior to the Castrol 0w30 for track purposes. The Blackstone labs tests on the Mobil 1 0w 40 were outstanding, but heard the German Castrol kept oil temps a little cooler so I gave it a try. Temps did seem to stay lower as last track weekend temps hit near 90 and oil temps never went above 270. Previously with the Mobil 1 temps would hit 280 with temps in the mid 80s. All non scientific of course. If the tests results come back positive I'll stick the the German Castrol over the Mobil 1 0w 40

So... you did (essentially) 6 track days on the SAME OIL ??? I think that is asking way too much from your oil. IDK... if it were my car I would have changed the oil before AND after each track day. Along with the brake fluid.

Just curious now... have you changed your trans or diff oil yet?

[Pyrat 2]

OP, I use either Mobile 1 or Castrol Edge LL-01 european formula 0w-40 (same stuff as in your amazon link). $23 or $24 for 5 qts at Walmart. Change after every track event just to be safe. I haven't looked at where the Castrol is made. See you at Gingerman next month?

[jafo1701]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

So... you did (essentially) 6 track days on the SAME OIL ??? I think that is asking way too much from your oil. IDK... if it were my car I would have changed the oil before AND after each track day. Along with the brake fluid.

Just curious now... have you changed your trans or diff oil yet?

It will be 2500 miles on the oil. I'll reassess after the oil analysis. Last year I was on Mobil 1 0w-40 and after 2 track days and 26 autocross runs with the same number miles the oil had plenty of life in it left. TBN was at 5.1. I assume the Castrol is equal if not better then the Mobil 1. Yes I have already changed my diff oil. Car has only 26000 miles on it, changed the diff at 18000 miles. Brake Fluid is done before every track day. It's a DCT so I havent changed the DCT oil, costs $1000 for the dealership to change it. I'm going to have it done at 40,000 miles. Not something I can DIY. My track budget is shot for the next month or two. My track pads have one day left in em and my tires the same. If not for that I could afford to do a couple more track events before the end of the year. So I'm going to do just one more in September. Car is not my Daily driver so won't see hardly any use before the next track day.

[OLEK135i]

Wow, at these prices, 0w-40 looks like the way to go. I was leaning towards the 0w-30 for the thickness, but looks like @Dackelone has given his stamp of approval on the 0w-40. Thank you all.....

[OLEK135i]

Originally Posted by HeelToe

OP, I use either Mobile 1 or Castrol Edge LL-01 european formula 0w-40 (same stuff as in your amazon link). $23 or $24 for 5 qts at Walmart. Change after every track event just to be safe. I haven't looked at where the Castrol is made. See you at Gingerman next month?

Maybe......

[Olgeezer1]

0/30 from Belgium and 0/40 from Germany? That's odd, here in Canada it's the opposite- 0/30 is German and recently arrived 0/40 is made in Belgium.

[jafo1701]

Got my Oil Analysis back from Blackstone Labs on the German Castrol Ow-30. Everything looks great. Here's the comments that he wrote

Thanks for the notes. Your engine seems to love all of the racing just as much you do -- wear looks great! Metals are generally reading at or below universal averages, as we would expect for a shorter-than-average oil run. As a reminder, universal averages are based on about 5,700 miles of oil use.
With wear looking this nice, you could probably go longer than 3,000 miles on the oil, but these short oilchange intervals certainly aren't going to hurt anything. A TBN of 7.9 is showing lots of active additive
remaining in oil. Keep up the good work!

So I'll Keep my change interval below at or 3000 miles, no matter how many track days I do.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by jafo1701

Got my Oil Analysis back from Blackstone Labs on the German Castrol Ow-30. Everything looks great. Here's the comments that he wrote

Thanks for the notes. Your engine seems to love all of the racing just as much you do -- wear looks great! Metals are generally reading at or below universal averages, as we would expect for a shorter-than-average oil run. As a reminder, universal averages are based on about 5,700 miles of oil use.
With wear looking this nice, you could probably go longer than 3,000 miles on the oil, but these short oilchange intervals certainly aren't going to hurt anything. A TBN of 7.9 is showing lots of active additive
remaining in oil. Keep up the good work!

So I'll Keep my change interval below at or 3000 miles, no matter how many track days I do.

Like I have been saying all along... The BEST oil is FRESH oil!

Originally Posted by OLEK135i

Wow, at these prices, 0w-40 looks like the way to go. I was leaning towards the 0w-30 for the thickness, but looks like @Dackelone has given his stamp of approval on the 0w-40. Thank you all.....

0w40 is what I use in my 135i.

Dack

[NorthernDancer]

Just bought in upstate New York Walmart 5qts Castrol Edge pure synthetic in 0W-40 for $21.66. Its made in Germany, BMW LL01. Sale runs August 24 to Sep. 27.

[OLEK135i]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Just bought in upstate New York Walmart 5qts Castrol Edge pure synthetic in 0W-40 for $21.66. Its made in Germany, BMW LL01. Sale runs August 24 to Sep. 27.

I picked up the 5 qts at WalMart for $25 a few weeks ago (and 2 1 quart bottles for $6.90). I did not see a difference temperature wise on the track, but sure was a lot cheaper DIYing and this price for oil then taking it to the dealer/private mechanic.

Poured 6.5 quarts and it shows max on my electronic dipstick. Sure wish there was a manual dipstick!

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by NorthernDancer

Just bought in upstate New York Walmart 5qts Castrol Edge pure synthetic in 0W-40 for $21.66. Its made in Germany, BMW LL01. Sale runs August 24 to Sep. 27.

There is also a coupon for $5 off of 5Q of Castrol Edge at Walmart, that is good until 8/31/14, so you can get 5Q for $16.66, which is a pretty awesome deal.

I bought two.

[OLEK135i]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

There is also a coupon for $5 off of 5Q of Castrol Edge at Walmart, that is good until 8/31/14, so you can get 5Q for $16.66, which is a pretty awesome deal.

I bought two.

Where is this coupon you speak of located? (I understand every store is different, but is it in the physical store?)

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by OLEK135i

Where is this coupon you speak of located? (I understand every store is different, but is it in the physical store?)

Go to the link below.

http://www.castrol.com/en_us/united-...promotion.html

[hawkm3]

I went to walmart, autozone and oreilys and all there castro and Mobil 1 says "made in the usa from domestic and foreign components" I can't find German made oil anywhere, you guys have a link that is for sure made in Germany so I can order some?

[hawkm3]

Anyone?