Best oil for modified N55 135i?

[Matticus91]

Being that FCP now carries Motul, what oil weights would you guys recommend?

I'm FBO and Pure Stage 1, and drive pretty hard. Live in DC so we see as cold as 10F in the winter and hot as 100F in the summer.

I've been running Blackstone reports on my most recent changes and everything is very healthy and I want to keep it that way!

chadillac2000 I know you use the good stuff, are you happy with your decision so far? Do you change weights for different climates?

[dtla1]

What Mileage do you have on our car and how often do you change your oil? I've been using mostly Castrol European 0W-40, with a couple of Motul Xcess 5W-40 as well. I don't have to deal with your 10*F temps since I"m in California, but I'll say for warm weather either of these are great. I do prefer the Castrol though. Could just be a placebo but the car feels just a bit smoother on the Castrol. Also, can get the Castrol for a decent price from Walmart in the 5 liter jugs. Only reason I picked up some Motul is because of the Amazon Motul flucke (4 pack of 5 liter jugs for $40).

How much do you really drive your car in sub 40*F temps?

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by dtla1

What Mileage do you have on our car and how often do you change your oil? I've been using mostly Castrol European 0W-40, with a couple of Motul Xcess 5W-40 as well. I don't have to deal with your 10*F temps since I"m in California, but I'll say for warm weather either of these are great. I do prefer the Castrol though. Could just be a placebo but the car feels just a bit smoother on the Castrol. Also, can get the Castrol for a decent price from Walmart in the 5 liter jugs. Only reason I picked up some Motul is because of the Amazon Motul flucke (4 pack of 5 liter jugs for $40).

How much do you really drive your car in sub 40*F temps?

Almost 100k miles now!

I change my oil every 7-8k miles, Blackstone has confirmed this is even a little early based on wear markers in the oil.

Thanks for the input, consider looking at the oils FCP carries, you can buy it once and then exchange the old oil for new every time afterwards! Just have to pay for return shipping of the old cans/bottles.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Almost 100k miles now!

I change my oil every 7-8k miles, Blackstone has confirmed this is even a little early based on wear markers in the oil.

Thanks for the input, consider looking at the oils FCP carries, you can buy it once and then exchange the old oil for new every time afterwards! Just have to pay for return shipping of the old cans/bottles.

Huh? Returning oil??

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Huh? Returning oil??

Yessir. Lifetime replacement of fluids and wear parts. You just pay the cost of return shipping when you want an exchange. It's an amazing program that justifies their slightly-higher-than-average prices.

Matticus91 Are you asking what oil you should use?

You can alternate weights; run a heavier 10w-50 (make sure you let the car warm up) during the summer because it will help with cooling and such, and run a lighter 0w-40 during the winter. That said, I usually run Castrol 0w-40 Euro blend, and I have ZERO issues with it. It's the only oil I've run, so far, that hasn't leaked/burned quick enough for me to top it off between oil changes.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Huh? Returning oil??

Yup just as Chris said!

Originally Posted by chris_flies

Matticus91 Are you asking what oil you should use?

You can alternate weights; run a heavier 10w-50 (make sure you let the car warm up) during the summer because it will help with cooling and such, and run a lighter 0w-40 during the winter. That said, I usually run Castrol 0w-40 Euro blend, and I have ZERO issues with it. It's the only oil I've run, so far, that hasn't leaked/burned quick enough for me to top it off between oil changes.

Yes but more about brand than weight, I know the BMW branded oil is good, but I also know there are better brands out there. At this point I want to use whatever is best.

As far as viscosity goes, I think I may start switching weights from summer to winter, but I think the turbo needs a different weight than NA cars?

[dtla1]

Yeah I'm at 94k+ miles now with oil changes at the same intervals as you, but switching to about every 5k miles now for my OCI.

Had my oil pan gasket replaced a few months ago and the shop said they took a look at the oil and saw no signs of bearing wear as well. I need to do a blackstone analysis again soon though too.

BMW Oil vs the Castrol Europea formula, I've always noticed the BMW oil burn about half a quart every 5k miles for me, The Castrol burns pretty much none.

[YearOneOne]

Ive mostly run liqui moly which I loved ran a bit cooler than others and looked good in testing. Most recent change has been with schaeffers and I like it but feel the car ran smoother on moly.

[MightyMouseTech]

I plan on using Motul 0W40 now as the Castrol 0W40 is no longer LL-01 certified.

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

I plan on using Motul 0W40 now as the Castrol 0W40 is no longer LL-01 certified.

Wait. You're kidding. I JUST ordered Castrol last night from Amazon because it said LL-01 on the ad.

[Moveitsmikey]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Being that FCP now carries Motul, what oil weights would you guys recommend?

I'm FBO and Pure Stage 1, and drive pretty hard. Live in DC so we see as cold as 10F in the winter and hot as 100F in the summer.

I've been running Blackstone reports on my most recent changes and everything is very healthy and I want to keep it that way!

chadillac2000 I know you use the good stuff, are you happy with your decision so far? Do you change weights for different climates?

I use Amsoil in every car I've owned for the last few years. Specifically their euro line of oils Amsoil Euro Classic 5W40

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Soterios

Wait. You're kidding. I JUST ordered Castrol last night from Amazon because it said LL-01 on the ad.

Let us know if this is true, please let it not be true!! I always though the one branded as "European Formula" was LL-01 approved. Even if it's not anymore, I wondered what they changed. It could be they didn't change anything, just didn't want to go through whatever process needed to get LL-01 certification or approval.

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by dtla1

Let us know if this is true, please let it not be true!! I always though the one branded as "European Formula" was LL-01 approved. Even if it's not anymore, I wondered what they changed. It could be they didn't change anything, just didn't want to go through whatever process needed to get LL-01 certification or approval.

They just arrived at my house, so I'll check when I get home.

I would imagine they have to pay to get that certification, so maybe they just don't want to pay for that anymore. I'd be shocked if they 'downgraded' the oil.

I'd say either they just don't want to pay, or BMW/whomever changed the LL-01 standards and they're higher now, so this oil doesn't meet it.

[gjm120]

I saw a Castrol 5W-40 in WalMart that was LL01. This surprised me b/c I thought only the 0W-40 was LL01.

It seems like this certification thing is a commercial rather than a technical issue.

[Matt@EuroJerks]

I use the Castrol Euro Formula too. I burn nothing in my 2013 N55 64Kmiles. Curious about the LL01 issue too.

[elitesales305]

saw somewhere you should never change weight since the car was designed with the weight in mind..
what I read never spoke about stock vs upgraded.. just spoke on no diff between 0 miles and 200k since the car was designed to use etc etc..
interested in changing myself .. but im weary
(weights)

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Soterios

Wait. You're kidding. I JUST ordered Castrol last night from Amazon because it said LL-01 on the ad.

It's true.

Heard about it on BITOG, so I emailed Castrol to confirm.

Thank you for contacting Castrol North America.

Castrol EDGE 0W40 A3/B4, sold in Canada, lost the BMW Longlife LL01 specification as of March 2019.

Sad day.

My suspicion is that it had a formulation change, just like the Mobil1 when it lost the certification. Getting the certification is not that expensive. When Mobil1 lost it, it turned into a pretty substandard oil.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by elitesales305

saw somewhere you should never change weight since the car was designed with the weight in mind..
what I read never spoke about stock vs upgraded.. just spoke on no diff between 0 miles and 200k since the car was designed to use etc etc..
interested in changing myself .. but im weary
(weights)

Our cars are approved for many different weights. The LL-01 spec is much more important than the viscosity used.

Although, I see no reason to use anything other than a 0W40.

[Soterios]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

It's true.

Heard about it on BITOG, so I emailed Castrol to confirm.



Sad day.

My suspicion is that it had a formulation change, just like the Mobil1 when it lost the certification. Getting the certification is not that expensive. When Mobil1 lost it, it turned into a pretty substandard oil.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up. I suppose if it's 'old stuff' I'll keep it.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Our cars are approved for many different weights. The LL-01 spec is much more important than the viscosity used.

Although, I see no reason to use anything other than a 0W40.

5w40 here but I'm in FL so don't need it to be super thin in winter. There isn't really "cold" startup here. Lol!!

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

5w40 here but I'm in FL so don't need it to be super thin in winter. There isn't really "cold" startup here. Lol!!

In order to make it a 0W oil, they have to use a higher percentage of synthetic. The 0W is a much better quality of oil than the 5W. It is impossible for an oil to be too thin at startup. The thinner the better.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

In order to make it a 0W oil, they have to use a higher percentage of synthetic. The 0W is a much better quality of oil than the 5W. It is impossible for an oil to be too thin at startup. The thinner the better.

Ahh... gotcha thanks.