How often do you service your X5?

[kvc]

As an alternative to the Mobil1 0W 40 oil I generally use, I will now consider using Penrite Enviro+ 5W 40 as it meets BMW (and other manufacturer's specs), has a 'high' zinc content, and seems to be more suited to our warmer climate here in Australia. I have several vehicles, including a couple of diesels (one with a particulate cleaner) and I've been looking for one engine oil that I can use on all motors (including the N62). This one seems to fit the bill, although has had the zinc content reduced slightly to accommodate the diesel particulate filter:
Base Oil:

• Full Synthetic
• Full Synthetic Low - Mid SAPS

Used in the following Fuel Types:

• Diesel with DPF
• Diesel
• Petrol / E10

Viscosity:

• 5W-40

ENVIRO+ 5W-40 is a premium full synthetic, SAE 5W-40 Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Fully Licensed and Warranty Approved engine oil. It is fully licensed and approved for warranty service for particular GM / Holden (dexos 2TM ), VW, Audi, Skoda, Seat, BMW, Mercedes Benz & Porsche vehicles. It uses the latest advances in mid SAPS (Sulphated Ash, Phosphorus and Sulphur)* additive technology.
Can be used where the following SAE viscosities are recommended:

• 0W-40
• 5W-30
• 10W-30

Additional Product Information:

• Click Here to view Enviro+ flyer
• Click Here to view Key Label markings
• Click Here to view E85 compatible oil
• Click Here to view Guide to Oils
• Click Here for Technical Bulletin on DPF Cleaner

* Low SAPS oils may sometimes be referred to as "Low Ash" oils
Application:

ENVIRO+ 5W-40 is designed for use in modern 4, 6 & 8+ cylinder multi-cam, multi-valve (including VVT), naturally aspirated, supercharged & turbocharged engines. It is suitable for use in direct injection petrol and light duty diesel engines including those fitted with/without DPFs (Diesel Particulate Filters).
ENVIRO+ 5W-40 exceeds API SN and ACEA C3 and may be used where SAE 0W-40, 5W-30 & 10W-30 oils are specified in the owners handbook. May also be used where the fuel economy specifications ACEA A1/B1, A5/B5 and ILSAC GF-5 are specified and in vehicles requiring ACEA A3/B4 made before the 2010 model year, and where ACEA C2 or C3 is specified
ENVIRO+ 5W-40 is suitable for use in passenger cars, 4WDs & light commercial vehicles.
ENVIRO+ 5W-40 is not recommended for use in motorcycles.
ENVIRO+ 5W-40 can be used with Petrol, LPG, E10, diesel (With & Without DPFs) & other conventional fuels.
ENVIRO+ 5W-40 features the Penrite EXTRA TEN in the oil's SAE rating. The EXTRA TEN helps protect your engine by using an oil that has a higher viscosity at operating temperature than what is normally specified, thus providing better protection and reducing engine wear in all driving conditions.
Important Maintenance Information

For vehicles fitted with a Diesel Particulate filter we recommend the use of Penrite ENVIRO+DPF CLEANER to clean & prevent DPF blockages, maximise catalyst life and improve engine efficiency, power & fuel economy.
Product Benefits:

• MANUFACTURER APPROVED product to maintain vehicle warranty
• LATEST oil technology for less wear, sludge & piston deposits
• EXTRA 10 provides an EXTRA LAYER of engine protection
• MAXIMISES DPF life and engine performance
• Suitable for a wide range petrol and diesel engines
• Emissions system friendly
• Extend exhaust catalyst life
• Protects against engine sludge and engine deposits
• Long drain intervals

Approvals:

• GM dexos 2TM
• VW Standard 502 00, 505 00, 505 01
• Porsche A40
• MB-Approval 229.51
• BMW Longlife-04

To view OEM Approval document click on link below.

• GM dexos 2TM
  VW Standard 502 00, VW Standard 505 00, VW Standard 505 01
  Porsche A40
  MB-Approval 229.51
  BMW Longlife-04

Key Specifications:

• API SN/CF, ACEA C3
• MB 229.31

Typical Data

Density at 15°C, kg/L 0.850 Viscosity, Kinematic, cSt
at 40°C
at 100°C
81
13.4 Viscosity Index 168 Cold Cranking Viscosity, cP at -30°C 5620 Zinc, Mass % 0.089 Phosphorus, Mass % 0.080 Sulphated Ash, Mass % 0.80

[JCL]

Originally Posted by kvc

As an alternative to the Mobil1 0W 40 oil I generally use, I will now consider using Penrite Enviro+ 5W 40 as it meets BMW (and other manufacturer's specs), has a 'high' zinc content, and seems to be more suited to our warmer climate here in Australia. I have several vehicles, including a couple of diesels (one with a particulate cleaner) and I've been looking for one engine oil that I can use on all motors (including the N62). This one seems to fit the bill, although has had the zinc content reduced slightly to accommodate the diesel particulate filter:

But it doesn't meet BMW specs for your model.

You could use it, and it would certainly be fine for your diesel models, but BMW issued a TSB saying not to use it on gasoline fueled BMWs except in certain limited markets. Australia is not on the list. It is approved in the EU plus certain European countries.

The reason is that the LL04 oil spec was found to not stand up due to gasoline fuel compatibility issues. It breaks down early. Some still choose to use it because it says BMW on the bottle and they think it must be fine, but they should be doing shorter oil change intervals if that is their choice. And I don't understand why people would knowingly choose an oil that has been shown to break down early. There are so many oils that stand up much better.

I have the version included in the workshop manuals, from 2004. IIRC, it wasn't much of a problem then. The issues in North American with oil breakdown started around 2008-2009, and that is when BMWNA issued a TSB as a reminder not to use an LL04 oil, except in a diesel.

The bulletin reads as follows:


11 03 04 (156)

weltweit
all countries

Datum/Date:
12/2004
Update: 09/2005

BMW Quality Longlife-04

All

Situation:

The launch of the E90 and E87 with diesel particulate filter, makes a new engine oil BMW
Longlife-04 absolutely essential. The function of the diesel particulate filter and low fuel
consumption can only be guaranteed for the vehicle's entire service life if BMW Longlife-04
engine oil is used.

Effect:

A new type of additive in the engine oil means that less ash is formed during combustion
and thus prevents the diesel particulate filter from becoming blocked with ash deposits.

Affected vehicles:

This engine oil is unambiguously specified for diesel engines with diesel particulate filter.
However, it also satisfies the requirements of spark-ignition engines. Longlife-04 engine oil
specifications include the requirements of Longlife-01 and Longlife-98.

Longlife-04 oils are only approved for spark-ignition engines in Europe (EU plus
Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein). They must not be used outside this area.

Procedure:

For further information, please refer to BMW Operating Fluids Service Information bulletin
"Specified engine oils for BMW Group engines" (Enclosure 3)


Jeff

[kvc]

Thanks for the info JCL. I think I'll have to continue to purchase different oils, dependent on the application. I'll stick with Mobil1 either 5W40 or 0W40 for the N62 (and my hemi 6.1) and purchase the Penrite Enviro+ 5W40 for my diesels (that get a similar 10,000 service interval).
Strange that BMW apply different specifications for some countries/ regions (Europe only for the Long Life 04). I would have thought that environmental conditions would have been the only factor, on the assumption fuel quality is not an issue (operating temps, elevation, humidity perhaps)?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by kvc

Strange that BMW apply different specifications for some countries/ regions (Europe only for the Long Life 04). I would have thought that environmental conditions would have been the only factor, on the assumption fuel quality is not an issue (operating temps, elevation, humidity perhaps)?

NA fuel formulations, plus ethanol, plus that oil formulation, equalled early oil breakdown. There may be specific fuels that are fine, but when they had the problem they issued the bulletin.

Jeff