Cheapest place to buy BMW approved oil?

[amk2912]

Have any Perth members been stung yet by the dealer for an oil top up during a Pit Stop? They introduced this charge recently and I'm curious how much they are charging. Thanks.

[MarkFC]

Just went to Autobarn to get some Castrol Edge 0W-40 and it said on the back that it was not suitable for BMW petrol engines in Australia and New Zealand, even though it said it was BMW LL04? The Mobil 1 0-W40 just said it complied with BMW LL01. Very confusing.

Pricing was Castrol $79.99, Mobil $93.99

At Supercheap it was Castrol $63.99, Mobil $94.99

I had a quote from a mechanic who services European makes, oil and filter $280, I'll check Coastline again tomorrow to see what they are for the same service.

[AussieRacer]

As I've posted before, LL-04 is not for use in Aust as our fuels contain too much sulphur that can breakdown the oil. LL-04 is mainly a cleaner oil for environment.

[chappy]

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

As I've posted before, LL-04 is not for use in Aust as our fuels contain too much sulphur that can breakdown the oil. LL-04 is mainly a cleaner oil for environment.

Im trying to figure out this oil as well because my service is due very confusing indeed now on shells web site the 135/335 is shell ultra extra 5w30 which is ll04 you say not to be used in australia but the shell australian web site has it as our oil.
MOBIL 1 is LL01
CASTROL EDGE SPORT is 0w40 LL04
Castrol web site lists SLX professional but its been discontinued so thier web is shit.
WTF
SHELL HELIX ULTRA 5W40 is for turbo engines but nothing on threir web site about using it in our cars only helix extra 5w30 ll04

Is mobil 1 the best choice. LL01

[oldman]

Asked my dealer ages ago what oil they use and at that time, it was "Castrol SLX Professional BMW LL01" which is a recommended BMW oil. They charge $30.00 for a 1 litre bottle.

Ended up ordering it from Supercheap instead for $245.00 (20 litre drum), so at approx. $12 dollars a litre, pretty good value.

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Okay so my dealership tells me they use Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil. They also said BMW recommend Castrol Edge and Mobile 1.

Which Castrol Edge is everyone using? - Castrol Edge Sport 5W-30 or Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40? Also, what about Castrol SLX Professional Longtec BMW LL01 5W-30?

Anyone know if there is any difference between Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil and Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W-40 fully synthetic oil? At this stage I'm thinking I will go with Shell as that's what my dealer uses.

I use CE 5W-30, which I usually buy from Supercheap.

[TimMc]

Originally Posted by amk2912

Tim, where did you get the 10W-60 from? I'm lead to believe only BMW can supply it - at about $25 a litre!!

Yeah, still at Super Cheap AMK as '86 (gee I feel old...) mentioned.

Originally Posted by MarkFC

Just went to Autobarn to get some Castrol Edge 0W-40 and it said on the back that it was not suitable for BMW petrol engines in Australia and New Zealand, even though it said it was BMW LL04? The Mobil 1 0-W40 just said it complied with BMW LL01. Very confusing.

Doesn't say that on the back of mine Mark, though I take note of AussieRacers comment on the LL04. As I change mine pretty often I'm not too worried.

[BMW86]

Any update on what oil people are using?

I thought we could also post an update the next time there's a decent special advertised so we could all save a few bucks.

[BMW86]

Anyone using 5W-40? This is what my dealership has been using in my car. It seems like 5W-30 is the most popular choice here and in the USA though. Anyone know the differences between the 2?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by AussieRacer

As I've posted before, LL-04 is not for use in Aust as our fuels contain too much sulphur that can breakdown the oil. LL-04 is mainly a cleaner oil for environment.

It's very simple:

LL-1 is for the US market - bc in the USA they have high levels of sulphur in the gasoline.

LL-4 is for the EU/German market - bc the fuels here have very little sulphur in the gasoline.

What kind of fuel do you guys have down under?

I think your best bet would be to only use the Castrol oil sold at your dealership. I use German Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4, bc I am living in Germany and using their low sulphur fuel (superplus 98 octane) gas.

Dackel

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

It's very simple:

LL-1 is for the US market - bc in the USA they have high levels of sulphur in the gasoline.

LL-4 is for the EU/German market - bc the fuels here have very little sulphur in the gasoline.

What kind of fuel do you guys have down under?

I think your best bet would be to only use the Castrol oil sold at your dealership. I use German Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4, bc I am living in Germany and using their low sulphur fuel (superplus 98 octane) gas.

Dackel

Dackel, we have noticed each dealership uses different types of engine oil here in Australia. My dealership specifies 5w-40 Shell Helix Ultra however they said Castrol and Mobil are also fine. Other dealerships I have spoken to use Castrol Edge 5w-30 and some use Mobil 5w-30.

Do you know what the differences are between 5w-30 and 5w-40?

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Dackel, we have noticed each dealership uses different types of engine oil here in Australia. My dealership specifies 5w-40 Shell Helix Ultra however they said Castrol and Mobil are also fine. Other dealerships I have spoken to use Castrol Edge 5w-30 and some use Mobil 5w-30.

Do you know what the differences are between 5w-30 and 5w-40?

I think you have to read the label of the particluar oil to see IF it meets "BMW LL-1" specs. I would think "LL-4" can be backwards compatible - though. But don't quote me on that one.

Here is a link to look up the Castrol oils:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/iframe.do?categoryId=9024084&contentId=7044829

But some of the info Castrol has on their website is wrong - as you can see by the oil quanity section. But those two Castrol oils:

Edge 5W-30 Edge Sport 0W-40

are correct to use for our cars.


http://www.castrol.com/castrol/produ...tentId=7027054
Edge Sport 0W-40










Castrol’s proprietary formulation for high performance and modified modern vehicles







Product Features

• For high performance and modified engines
• Oustanding wear protection
• Protects against high temperatures and extreme conditions

Product Benefits

• Maximises protection in high performance engines
• Easy to start in all weather
• Protects the engine against wear at high speed, providing peace of mind

Technical Specifications

ACEA B3, C2, C3
API SM/CF
BMW Longlife-04
Porsche (except Cayenne V6) A40
MB-Approved 229.51
VW 502 00 / 503 00 / 505 00

...........
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/produ...tentId=7027058
EDGE 5W-30










Latest technology and specific formulation for modern Audi and VW engines







Product Features

• For latest VW & Audi engines including Longlife servicing
• Latest emission system protection
• Reduces engine wear – peace of mind against breakdown

Product Benefits

• Reduces environmental impact through low emissions
• Reduces engine wear – peace of mind against breakdown
• Delivers reduced cost of ownership through extended service intervals
• Consistently high fuel economy under most driving conditions
• Right oil for my Audi / VW car on variable servicing

Technical Specifications

ACEA B3, C3
BMW Longlife-04
MB-Approved 229.51
VW 504 00 / 507 00

.........

5w-40 Shell Helix Ultra - is only a BMW LL-1 oil...

http://www.motor-talk.de/forum/aktio...hmentId=689200


PS: I can find/buy the Castrol Edge 0w40 LL4 oil for about ten eruos per liter. Normally this oil sells for 17 euros per liter. AND the BMW spec OE oil sells for 23 euros per liter at the Zentrums over here. But that oil comes in a different bottle than you see people in the states using.

Hope this helps!
Dackel

[Dackelone]

Here is the oil the BMW dealers sell over here for the 135i and all non M-cars.

23 euros per liter!

[BMW86]

Hi Dackel, thanks for your help so far. I have looked on the Shell website and it says-

Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W-30 exceeds the requirements of most major car manufacturers and the following industry standards: BMW LongLife-04.

Specifications, Approvals and Recommendations for the 5W-40 is LL-01.

Why do you think my dealership is using the 5W-40 in my car if it is LL-01 approved? Do you think it is safe to use?

[BMW86]

After doing a bit more reading I'm thinking 5W-30 is best to use during the colder months and use 5W-40 during the hotter months. I don't think there's much between the 2 anyway. I'm not too keen to use 0W-40.

[Dackelone]

BMW86 - So what kind of fuels do you guys have down(pun intended!) there? Low or high sulphur?

The Shell Helix Ultra Extra (5W-30) oils have a very good reputation over here in Germany. Mostly bc of Porsche's use as an OE fill. The only way you can even buy Shell Hellix oils is in very large (20L)buckets in bulk. And the oil is quite expensive too. But I would not have any reservations on using it.

I would not get too caught up on the oil viscosity grades. For all intensive purposes... it is a moot point. I would pay more attention to the oil specs. Just make sure it says BMW LL-1 or LL4.

I think the main reason why any dealer uses a particluar oil - has to do with how much money they can make selling that oil. I think it has little to do with which oil is best. It is all the bottom line, if you ask me.

Dackel

[ozzie135i]

I can't wait till there is an answer to this... I'll be going and getting the oil + filter straight away!

[Taymaishu]

My input - I reckon if you're changing your oil once every 10,000km (as I have been), the sulphur in fuel/LL rating is not necessarily crucial.

I would say the viscosity compared to the engine temps/ambient temps are more crucial.

I've been using 0W-40 Mobile 1 SuperSyn Gold since my change at 30,000. It's a great oil, and just want the added protection on cold starts, and the

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW86 - So what kind of fuels do you guys have down(pun intended!) there? Low or high sulphur?

The Shell Helix Ultra Extra (5W-30) oils have a very good reputation over here in Germany. Mostly bc of Porsche's use as an OE fill. The only way you can even buy Shell Hellix oils is in very large (20L)buckets in bulk. And the oil is quite expensive too. But I would not have any reservations on using it.

I would not get too caught up on the oil viscosity grades. For all intensive purposes... it is a moot point. I would pay more attention to the oil specs. Just make sure it says BMW LL-1 or LL4.

I think the main reason why any dealer uses a particluar oil - has to do with how much money they can make selling that oil. I think it has little to do with which oil is best. It is all the bottom line, if you ask me.

Dackel

I agree with you regarding the reason why dealers stock particular oils. I called up another dealership and they advised me that they use Castrol Edge 0W-40. My dealership uses Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40.

I'm leaning towards Castrol Edge 5W-30 and Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40. There is a considerable price difference between both but Castrol Edge is a lot more economical.

As far as costs go, you can buy by the 20L drum but you will need to order it in. If you wait for catalogue specials you can pick up 5L jugs relatively cheap. I have seen 5L jugs of Castrol Edge 5W-30 go for $42 which equates to $8.40 per litre.

As you said, both are LL-01 or LL-04 so both should be safe to use. I think it's best to try a couple different oils and see how the car runs and what the temps are like. I'm sure mods would have some impact on oil choice too.

For now I like the idea of going with Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40 during the summer as it's a bit thicker and Castrol Edge 5W-30 during winter.

[MikeVictor]

If I remember correctly, the oil fill cap on my car actually has a Castrol branding on it.

I've been using Castrol Edge 5W-30 because I average about 12,000 km p.a. in my car and change oil every 8,000km, so no Summer/Winter changeouts. Supercheap Auto sells this for around $55 for a 5L bottle normally, or about $42 on sale. The filter and o-rings from BMW were less than $20 I think?

edit: just checked, Castrol branding is there alright.

[Dackelone]

I just wanted to throw this tibit out there...

I first started to use the Mobil-1 0w40 European Blend LL-1 oil in my 135i. Never gave it much thought other than it meeting LL1 specs. Then I started to read all these oil type threads and polls here... I started to realize that I was using thw wrong LL specs... since I am living in Germany with low sulphur fuels - I should use a LL4 not a LL1.

Even though I change the oil every 5K miles. So... I switched over to the German Castrol: Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4. The first thing I noticed was how much quieter the engine sounds on cold start. There is a lot less metalic clicking noise on cold starts. The other thing I noticed was the oil temp runs about two needle widths less then before. I do not think that is a fluke. Castrol has something written on their oil bottles... Castrol oil... liquid engineering. I am very happy with the Castrol oil. I think there is a reason why BMW says to use their oil & why it is written on the oil filler cap!

Dackel

[ozzie135i]

This is sort of relevant.. Where are you guys getting your oil filters from?

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/onl...121500#reviews

The review says something that Dackelone said about the Castrol RS Edge 0w40 LL-4.

Not that it makes much of a difference butt... the TV ad for castrol had the m3?