Quote:
Originally Posted by FCBuff
I like Castrol 0W-30 better known as German Castrol or GC. It meets BMW LL-01 and is generally thought to be a great oil. I use it anywhere a 30 weight is called for, and I have been using it in my X5. Mobil 1 0W-40 is also always a great choice. Both are readily available, although the Castrol is a little harder to find (Autozone/Pep boys). You can find either on sale quite often.
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I like Castrol Syntec 5W-30, or Mobil 1 (probably 0W-40 instead of their 5W-30). Most of the time I just use the dealer 5W-30 (which I don't think is GC) as it is a good oil, and is as cheap as others.
My question is why you look to the LL-01 spec? It was current 10 years ago in 2001, and an API SJ oil could meet it just fine. It is a low standard, and the only oils that advertise it today seem to be those which haven't been reformulated in 10 years, or those marketed by smaller producers who want to leverage cachet of the BMW private test. I wouldn't use an SJ oil today in any engine that I cared about; SL if necessary, but preferably SM which is a far tougher spec.
I just think that the LL spec has faded into obscurity, overtaken by better oils, and the existence of newer, tougher, standards which mean that BMW and others don't need to have their private tests any more. We even see people opting for LL-04 oils when they are a step backwards in some respects (gasoline engines outside of Europe, where they break down before the recommended change interval). I still see oils advertising BMW LL98 certification, and that is completely archaic.
Trying to keep this away from the "which oil is better" debate, but I am wondering, do others give any credence to BMW LL standards with respect to modern oils?