Engine oil

[m1256]

N20 owner's, whats your go to for engine oil ? I currently have BMW 0w30 but may want to try something a little thicker living in socal.

[0w40X1]

I have same car, and use Mobil 1 0w40 which tests after running 10k miles at least 12cst @ 100 C.

I tested factory 5w30 with my own oil change at 5k miles, and it looked like good oil with low metals, but it was 10 cst @ 100 C.

Might be some better oils than 0w40, but not by much.

Once Mobil 1 0w40 was on long life specs, but politics or whatever changed.

Maybe it's because 0w40 isn't the extended version.

I don't care. Mobil 1 0w40 is really good oil, cheap, easy to find, and about the perfect thickness.

I used to sell lots of industrial oils.

[sayemthree]

Same car but xdrive. I too use Mobil one 0w40. I’ll change every 6 to 8k. It’s pretty cheap at Walmart

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by m1256

N20 owner's, whats your go to for engine oil ? I currently have BMW 0w30 but may want to try something a little thicker living in socal.

Castrol 0w40 ( believe also avail at walmart) seems excellent for a slightly thicker oil.

[m1256]

Thanks all for the responses, just curious about why the use of Mobil 1 0w40 after it lost the ll-01 certification ? I'm leaning towards using Pennzoil Platinum euro 5w40 since its meets BMW spec for my next oil change. Dealer used BMW 0w30 and a can of BG MOA Extended life additive, not sure why on the additive though. I will only be putting 5 to 6 thousand miles on the car in a year so I will be doing 12 month oil changes. I also want a BMW spec oil since my car is listed on the Timing chain/oil pump, 7 year 70 thousand mile, extended warranty list. If I do have issues down the road, I don't want the oil I use to be a factor with the warranty.

[sayemthree]

I don’t need long life oil since I change at 6 to 8000 miles and I don’t go 13 or 14 .

[RXeckless]

Originally Posted by m1256

Thanks all for the responses, just curious about why the use of Mobil 1 0w40 after it lost the ll-01 certification ? I'm leaning towards using Pennzoil Platinum euro 5w40 since its meets BMW spec for my next oil change. Dealer used BMW 0w30 and a can of BG MOA Extended life additive, not sure why on the additive though. I will only be putting 5 to 6 thousand miles on the car in a year so I will be doing 12 month oil changes. I also want a BMW spec oil since my car is listed on the Timing chain/oil pump, 7 year 70 thousand mile, extended warranty list. If I do have issues down the road, I don't want the oil I use to be a factor with the warranty.

I believe Pennzoil Platinum euro 5w40 is what BMW now recommend for our vehicles. Personally that's what I used on my last oil change.

[m1256]

Thanks Rxeckless, what oil were you using before the Pennzoil switch? After see the specs on the BMW 0w30, i'm not really impressed with it. The specs looked more geared toward fuel mileage than engine longevity, especially it being a direct injected turbo engine prone to fuel dilution and oil shear.

[LevinBR]

I use Amsoil Classic European Formula 0w40. It is BMW LL-01 approved.

[m1256]

AMSOIL states, "Engineered to use in" does not mean it's BMW LL-01 approved. Those are AMSOIL"s words. Would it work ? Sure, but I wouldn't want a warranty issue denied by not using a BMW LL-01 approved oil.

[Chicone]

Originally Posted by m1256

AMSOIL states, "Engineered to use in" does not mean it's BMW LL-01 approved. Those are AMSOIL"s words. Would it work ? Sure, but I wouldn't want a warranty issue denied by not using a BMW LL-01 approved oil.

Did you read the spec? AMSOIL is among the best and it has that.

[m1256]

Specs are fine, but still not a BMW ll-01 certified approved oil. I have used AMSOIL in the past in other vehicles but if it's not approved by the manufacturer, they are not going to warranty engine problems down the road while using a non approved oil. Would it work? Sure, but if or when I ever have a timing chain/oil pump issue, not using a BMW certified engine oil wont be a deciding factor if I need a new motor or not.

[RXeckless]

Originally Posted by m1256

Thanks Rxeckless, what oil were you using before the Pennzoil switch? After see the specs on the BMW 0w30, i'm not really impressed with it. The specs looked more geared toward fuel mileage than engine longevity, especially it being a direct injected turbo engine prone to fuel dilution and oil shear.

What ever BMW was using while under full warranty (FREE)

BMW Canada recommends now:
ALL LUBRICANTS
28iX (E84) (X1) (G) (2014)
APPLICATION RECOMMENDATION CAPACITY (LTR) Engine (G) (N20
Premium Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 Full Synthetic (a) 5.5 TDS SDS
Standard Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-30 Full Synthetic (a) 5.5 TDS

https://www.bmwblog.com/2017/09/14/choose-pennzoil-bmw/
https://www.pennzoil.com/en_ca/oil-s...9FRnQ4UGxNdXU=
https://www.pennzoil.com/en_us/perfo...NhbGU9ZW5fdXM=

Hopefully this helps in your decision
Cheers

[Chicone]

It says BMW LL-01. There is a difference between a recommendation and a requirement. One company receives marketing dollars. Meeting the requirement is all that is needed for warranty.

[Lucky13]

Liqui Moly is what my independent repair shop uses and they pretty much just do BMW, Mercedes and Porsche.

[LevinBR]

Originally Posted by m1256

Specs are fine, but still not a BMW ll-01 certified approved oil. I have used AMSOIL in the past in other vehicles but if it's not approved by the manufacturer, they are not going to warranty engine problems down the road while using a non approved oil. Would it work? Sure, but if or when I ever have a timing chain/oil pump issue, not using a BMW certified engine oil wont be a deciding factor if I need a new motor or not.

How would BMW know that you didn't use an "approved" oil without you telling them? They don't do oil analysis, and last time I checked, they don't use polygraph lie detectors either.

[0w40X1]

Originally Posted by m1256

Thanks all for the responses, just curious about why the use of Mobil 1 0w40 after it lost the ll-01 certification ?

I still have a jug of BMW approved Mobil 1 0w40.

Ran it for 7k miles between free dealer changes, and will put in next time in a few thousand miles.

I can't believe Mobil 1 0w40 will suddenly be bad for car after it was good, and it's like a 35 weight instead of BMW which is solid 30 weight.

Now Mobil 1 0w30 isn't as robust, and I wouldn't run it in a BMW.