Does it matter to you if the oil BMW recommends is not your preferred brand?

F32Fleet · 10-25-2020, 07:28 PM

I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans.

dmikhael619 · 10-25-2020, 07:42 PM

For what it's worth i work at a mercedes dealer and use the Mobile one that gets put in all of our cars in my M and everything runs great and my Blackstone oil analysis looks great so IMHO it doesn't matter just get a quality oil. Also im running 5w40

GuidoK · 10-25-2020, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmikhael619

Also im running 5w40

Also in your s54?
Ever done a rodbearing swap on that engine?

dmikhael619 · 10-26-2020, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuidoK

Also in your s54?
Ever done a rodbearing swap on that engine?

No im not running it my s54 just because it needs 10w 60. Have not done rod bearings yet but It is a 2005 with 30k and had the vamps redone so its probably not going to get rod bearings for a while. My 335i did get the mobile 1. Also running it in a Bentley flying spur no issues

Tambohamilton · 10-26-2020, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans.

No, it doesn't matter in the slightest what logo is on the oil jug/bottle. What matters is what the oil is/what's in it.

GuidoK · 10-26-2020, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmikhael619

No im not running it my s54 just because it needs 10w 60.

Yes ok that was not clear to me.
The clearing on the rodbearings in the s54 is also bigger than on most bmw engines, so going with a thinner oil (especially in warmer areas) can be a serious risk

Chapperss · 10-26-2020, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

No, it doesn't matter in the slightest what logo is on the oil jug/bottle. What matters is what the oil is/what's in it.

I`d go with this - buy quality and everything will be fine.

Personally have no issue buying the recommended oil/brand but, my knowledge of the business world tells me that, the brand recommendation will be part of a mutually beneficial deal between those two companies and not that that oil is leagues ahead of the competition.

CTSean · 10-26-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

No, it doesn't matter in the slightest what logo is on the oil jug/bottle. What matters is what the oil is/what's in it.

This right here.

When was the time anyone saw someone come of a message forums and complain "I used the right spec oil, changed it at correct intervals, and the oil ruined my engine"

I'll wager this has never actually happened. Buy good oil with the right specs, change it regularly, and the rest of the car will fall apart around a well lubricated engine.

F32Fleet · 10-26-2020, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans.

No, it doesn't matter in the slightest what logo is on the oil jug/bottle. What matters is what the oil is/what's in it.

Ya I'm on board with that 100% but IMO Shell (and M1) offer a better product but perhaps that's because I remember the days when dealer Castrol used to turn the internals a reddish hue.

Tambohamilton · 10-26-2020, 10:15 AM

Oil performance really is a long, deep rabbit hole. Unless you really want to get technical on it, or your engine is operating significantly outside its design parameters (heavily tuned/modified), just find an oil which is certified for your engine (eg LL-01 or LL-04 ,etc) and carry on. That's not to say that non-certified oils couldn't be better; it's just an easy way to be sure that the oil you choose will be good enough to keep your engine running properly for a long time. Don't cheap out, but also don't over-think it.

pz619 · 10-26-2020, 12:50 PM

As long as the oil it quality, it doesn't matter to me. It's not like BMW recommends the best based on lab results. They are recommending Castrol over Shell because Castrol paid more

CTSean · 10-26-2020, 02:03 PM

Does BMW actually recommend Castrol anymore? The used to but switched to Shell a couple years ago

F32Fleet · 10-26-2020, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTSean

Does BMW actually recommend Castrol anymore? The used to but switched to Shell a couple years ago

Yes you're correct but times are changing.

BzsBimmer · 10-26-2020, 03:20 PM

Now BMW has Motul branding on some of their race vehicles... so there’s another option.
A lot about oil in general can be found on BITOG forum.

Mason Hatcher · 10-26-2020, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans.

Why it it matter?

DanG · 10-26-2020, 04:26 PM

Castrol isn’t an approved oil for my M2. It isn’t LL-01 approved.

F32Fleet · 10-26-2020, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mason Hatcher

Quote:

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans.

Why it it matter?

Back in the day it was alleged that Castrol was in close development with BMW and enthusiasts were adamant about using it. I'm not talking about TWS 10w60.

Just curious if things have changed.

CTSean · 10-27-2020, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanG

Castrol isn’t an approved oil for my M2. It isn’t LL-01 approved.

As far as I can tell, Castrol Edge Euro 5W40 is the only current LL-01 oil they offer.

https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/BC02228946E6670C802585B300470DFA/$File/WEPP-BRY7K6.pdf

ga9213 · 10-27-2020, 09:29 AM

Nope, I'll still use my preferred brand. Spend enough time over on BITOG and you'll know what you want/don't want and the mystery behind BMW oil approvals is better understood.

MPOWER5266 · 10-27-2020, 09:34 AM

Nope, I will have Liqui Moly in all my cars the next time my 02 gets an oil change. They are all far far far out of warranty so I use what I want.

TheMidnightNarwhal · 10-27-2020, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga9213

Nope, I'll still use my preferred brand. Spend enough time over on BITOG and you'll know what you want/don't want and the mystery behind BMW oil approvals is better understood.

I understood less by going on BITOG lul

10-25-2020, 07:28 PM	#1
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3993 Rep 10,667 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Does it matter to you if the oil BMW recommends is not your preferred brand? I know talking oil is akin to talking politics but I'm just curious if it matters for our more enthusiastic BMW fans. __________________ "Drive more, worry less. " 435i, MPPK, MPE, M-Sport Line
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10-25-2020, 07:42 PM	#2
dmikhael619 Private 21 Rep 72 Posts Drives: e92 ST 335, e46 m3, e39 m5 Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: san diego iTrader: (0)	For what it's worth i work at a mercedes dealer and use the Mobile one that gets put in all of our cars in my M and everything runs great and my Blackstone oil analysis looks great so IMHO it doesn't matter just get a quality oil. Also im running 5w40
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10-26-2020, 10:15 AM	#10
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3330 Rep 4,252 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	Oil performance really is a long, deep rabbit hole. Unless you really want to get technical on it, or your engine is operating significantly outside its design parameters (heavily tuned/modified), just find an oil which is certified for your engine (eg LL-01 or LL-04 ,etc) and carry on. That's not to say that non-certified oils couldn't be better; it's just an easy way to be sure that the oil you choose will be good enough to keep your engine running properly for a long time. Don't cheap out, but also don't over-think it.
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10-26-2020, 12:50 PM	#11
pz619 Brigadier General 3327 Rep 3,294 Posts Drives: F87 M2C 6MT, Tesla Highland 3P Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	As long as the oil it quality, it doesn't matter to me. It's not like BMW recommends the best based on lab results. They are recommending Castrol over Shell because Castrol paid more
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10-26-2020, 02:03 PM	#12
CTSean Lieutenant 352 Rep 409 Posts Drives: LCI BSM MT M2 Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: CT iTrader: (1)	Does BMW actually recommend Castrol anymore? The used to but switched to Shell a couple years ago
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10-26-2020, 03:20 PM	#14
BzsBimmer Major General 3462 Rep 6,824 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3 & '23 G05 X5 M50 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Now BMW has Motul branding on some of their race vehicles... so there’s another option. A lot about oil in general can be found on BITOG forum.
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10-26-2020, 04:26 PM	#16
DanG Major General 11716 Rep 7,239 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [8.01]	Castrol isn’t an approved oil for my M2. It isn’t LL-01 approved.
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10-27-2020, 09:29 AM	#19
ga9213 Lieutenant 366 Rep 533 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Olathe, KS iTrader: (0)	Nope, I'll still use my preferred brand. Spend enough time over on BITOG and you'll know what you want/don't want and the mystery behind BMW oil approvals is better understood.
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10-27-2020, 09:34 AM	#20
MPOWER5266 Major 4762 Rep 1,189 Posts Drives: 1997 Dinan m3 Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Ga iTrader: (0)	Nope, I will have Liqui Moly in all my cars the next time my 02 gets an oil change. They are all far far far out of warranty so I use what I want.
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