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      05-01-2012, 10:14 PM   #1
1911A145
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BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil

Had a question for the forums in regards to oil. I tried searching and tried Google but did not have much luck. I keep reading about everyone using "German" Castrol oil in their 135's. I went to my dealer and picked up and oil change kit and it matches what BMW recommends for our cars:

BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil* (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)

This oil says right on the back label that is is MADE IN USA with foreign and domestic products. I can't seem to find any information on who makes this (if is still Castrol), and if it is group 3 or 4 synthetic oil. Also, it would be nice to know why BMW is using this instead of the "German" Castrol.

Anyone know any of these answers or could point me in the right direction? I am doing an oil change tomorrow and sending a sample out to BlackStone Labs for an oil analysis. I am curious as to how well this oil is holding up and what type of wear my motor has from the previous owner.

Thanks for any help with this.
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      05-02-2012, 03:28 AM   #2
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I read somewhere a while ago that the US and German formulas are different due to differing amounts of sulfer in the fuel.
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      05-02-2012, 12:38 PM   #3
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Arrow Castrol engine oils...

BMW oils...

LL-1 = USA/North American market = high sulfur fuels.
LL-4 = Germany/EU market = low sulfur fuels.

You want to use the correct oil (LL-rating) because the Nikasil coatings in the cylinderwalls (and piston rings) can wear when you use the wrong rated oils. This is why I (pay more) and use an LL-4 rated oil in my US Spec 135i that I feed it German low sulfur fuel.

This is what the BMW oil looks like sold at German BMW Zentrums (dealers). This oil sells for 22 to 33 euros PER liter at the dealership. You can find it online in Germany for as little as 6 euros though.
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Here are the three oils that most dealers stock. Normal NA engine oil, LL-4 full synthtic oil (like what you need for a N54/N55 engine) and the Castrol TWS (S65 M3) oil...
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This is what the German made Castrol oil (Castrol RS Edge, LL-4 0w40, 5L jug)looks like sold at many parts stores and grocery stores over here. The price varies from 70 to 110 euros for a five liter jug. You can find teh same oil online for as little as 40 euros for 5L's.
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The older 5L bottle...
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And now castrol has replaced the Castrol RS Edge oil with thier new Cstrol Edge FST oil.

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The Castrol LL-4 rated oils (only two grades are: 0w40 and 5w40(I think) meet BMW specs. They also have these specs: ACEA B4 , BMW LL 04 , ACEA C3 , ACEA A3, and an API of SM.

Dackel
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      05-02-2012, 07:52 PM   #4
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I just go to the dealer and let them change it. Car still runs in spite of it!
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      05-02-2012, 09:04 PM   #5
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Dackel, This is what BMW gave me:



Is this not the right oil for the 135i? They gave me 7QT of oil and filter. It does take 7QTs, correct? Thanks.
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      05-03-2012, 01:40 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Dackel, This is what BMW gave me:



Is this not the right oil for the 135i? They gave me 7QT of oil and filter. It does take 7QTs, correct? Thanks.
car takes 6.5 qts actually
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      05-03-2012, 04:29 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Dackel, This is what BMW gave me:



Is this not the right oil for the 135i? They gave me 7QT of oil and filter. It does take 7QTs, correct? Thanks.


They gave you the correct oil. The BMW/Castrol oil is actually very good.
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      05-03-2012, 12:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Dackel, This is what BMW gave me:



Is this not the right oil for the 135i? They gave me 7QT of oil and filter. It does take 7QTs, correct? Thanks.

That IS the correct oil. That is the oil that is made by Castrol (in the USA) and sold thru the BMW dealers. It is a LL-1 rated oil.

In the OP you were talking about German (made)Castrol so that is why the pictures are different.


Btw... oil refill is 6.5 liters or 6.9 quarts, with the filter.

Dack
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      05-03-2012, 12:16 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Basheezy View Post
car takes 6.5 qts actually
Right, but it takes 7 quarts at fill up to account for the lines and oil cooler, correct? BMW service and the parts dept both told me to put 7 qts in the car.
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      05-03-2012, 12:25 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Right, but it takes 7 quarts at fill up to account for the lines and oil cooler, correct? BMW service and the parts dept both told me to put 7 qts in the car.

Put un seven quarts - you will be fine. :-)
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      05-03-2012, 01:55 PM   #11
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Thanks. So am I wasting my money by buying the oil directly through BMW, or is it a different formula than the castrol I can buy at a big box store with the same LL-1 rating? Thanks again.
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      05-04-2012, 03:09 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Right, but it takes 7 quarts at fill up to account for the lines and oil cooler, correct? BMW service and the parts dept both told me to put 7 qts in the car.
hmmm, I put 6.5 last time about a month and 1000 miles ago. my oil sensor still shows full at the mark.
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      05-04-2012, 07:24 PM   #13
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[QUOTE=Basheezy]
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
hmmm, I put 6.5 last time about a month and 1000 miles ago. my oil sensor still shows full at the mark.
I stopped at 6 qts, let the car run for a few minutes and checked the level. It showed completely full according to the sensor page in iDrive. The filter was changed as well, so it concerns me that the sensor may be reading incorrectly.
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      05-04-2012, 07:28 PM   #14
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[QUOTE=BuddhaPilot;11898561]
Quote:
Originally Posted by Basheezy

I stopped at 6 qts, let the car run for a few minutes and checked the level. It showed completely full according to the sensor page in iDrive. The filter was changed as well, so it concerns me that the sensor may be reading incorrectly.
The sensor may not show a "low" oil reading until it gets below 2 qts. The correct oil change with filter should be 7 qts.
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      05-07-2012, 02:57 PM   #15
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I have done my oil change about 4 times with that exact oil. I always used 7 qts...
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      05-07-2012, 02:59 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eazy-e View Post
I have done my oil change about 4 times with that exact oil. I always used 7 qts...
Good to know. Thanks for confirming.
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      05-07-2012, 03:07 PM   #17
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Guys the electronic dip stick is kind of a dumbed down version of the real thing. I think its only a rough guide to the actual oil level. Basically to warn you when the oil is really low. When it is over filled... the gauge will not show that. Once I put in 7 liters and it still read full. So I don't really trust it for micro metering. I only use it as a guide. This is yet another reason to change one's oil frequently. I don't like not knowing how much oil is ACTUALLY in the sump! Wish BMW would give us our dip sticks back!

Dackel


When changing your own oil - I would just dump in 6.5 liters or 7 quarts and let things be.
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      05-07-2012, 03:20 PM   #18
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Arrow BMW oils sold at the German dealers...

This weekend I was in Munchen for the Welt 3.0 Meeting/car show... while I was there I stopped by the factory run BMW dealer down the street from the Welt. I took some pics of the factory motor oils that BMW sells here in Germany.


They had two oil grade viscosities for the N54/N55 engines:

5w30 fully synthtic LL-4 rated oil: #83210368607 price 29.38 euros per liter
0w40 fully synthtic LL-4 rated oil: #83210368504 price 28.89 euros per liter


The Castrol TWS 10w60 oil is only for the M3(e46/e9x) and M5/M6 (e60) models.


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      05-07-2012, 03:23 PM   #19
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Pretty neat...

So how much does 29.38 euros per liter equate to in US dollars? lol
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      05-07-2012, 03:48 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1911A145 View Post
Pretty neat...

So how much does 29.38 euros per liter equate to in US dollars? lol

About $39 USd per liter! An oil change at the dealer will run you close to 300 euros!


Normally here is what an oil change costs at a German dealer...

7L oil 29.38 times 7 = 206 euros
oil filter 12 euros
labor rate is atleast 120 euros per hour. Lets say 60 euros for a quick oil change or one hours labor IF you want a service, where they check the fluids and air pressures. lol

Oil change at the dealer cost 278 euros or $367! For a big city like Munchen I would not besurprised IF they charge over 300 euros since I bet their labor rate per hour is more than my little city I live in!

And ofcourse MOST Germans pay the dealer to do ALL the services while the car is under warranty bc without that covered dealer service stamp... their garranty is null und void. SO... everyone pays up for the service and the stamp.


And ohh... you say you also need a service loaner? No problem... thats another 30 euros per day PLUS fuel! Fuel cost $9 per gallon over here.
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      05-07-2012, 04:31 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
About $39 USd per liter! An oil change at the dealer will run you close to 300 euros!


Normally here is what an oil change costs at a German dealer...

7L oil 29.38 times 7 = 206 euros
oil filter 12 euros
labor rate is atleast 120 euros per hour. Lets say 60 euros for a quick oil change or one hours labor IF you want a service, where they check the fluids and air pressures. lol

Oil change at the dealer cost 278 euros or $367! For a big city like Munchen I would not besurprised IF they charge over 300 euros since I bet their labor rate per hour is more than my little city I live in!

And ofcourse MOST Germans pay the dealer to do ALL the services while the car is under warranty bc without that covered dealer service stamp... their garranty is null und void. SO... everyone pays up for the service and the stamp.


And ohh... you say you also need a service loaner? No problem... thats another 30 euros per day PLUS fuel! Fuel cost $9 per gallon over here.
only one thing to say .......


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      05-07-2012, 04:53 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dackelone View Post
About $39 USd per liter! An oil change at the dealer will run you close to 300 euros!


Normally here is what an oil change costs at a German dealer...

7L oil 29.38 times 7 = 206 euros
oil filter 12 euros
labor rate is atleast 120 euros per hour. Lets say 60 euros for a quick oil change or one hours labor IF you want a service, where they check the fluids and air pressures. lol

Oil change at the dealer cost 278 euros or $367! For a big city like Munchen I would not besurprised IF they charge over 300 euros since I bet their labor rate per hour is more than my little city I live in!

And ofcourse MOST Germans pay the dealer to do ALL the services while the car is under warranty bc without that covered dealer service stamp... their garranty is null und void. SO... everyone pays up for the service and the stamp.


And ohh... you say you also need a service loaner? No problem... thats another 30 euros per day PLUS fuel! Fuel cost $9 per gallon over here.
You know...

I once considered Germany to be a place I would love to live one day. You, sir, have completly changed my mind... and I thank you. lmao. Those prices wouldnt fly in the US. For a regualr commercial vehicle us Americans (not me, just the general population) will kick their feet and demand a manager is they wait more than 20 minutes to have their oil changed and/or if it cost more than 15 US dollars. The difference amazes me...
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