Another confusing oil thread: Mobil Super Syn Euro vs M1 EP HM?

[Mike1261]

I'm ready to do another oil change in the 06 X5 3.0i and was trying to dig up which oil weight I used last time.

In doing so I checked the Mobil website product selector and it's telling me to use Mobil Super Synthetic 5w-40 Euro.

I've been using Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage (still can't find receipt, don't remember weight. I'm guessing 5-30).

My understanding was that Mobil Super was a lower line than Mobil 1. I've used M1 in every car I've had since 2001.

Is there a reason I should be tracking down where on earth to source this 5w-40 Super Synthetic Euro? Or just stick with what I'm doing?

[Happy]

Here is an option:

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5-40w

[Attacking Mid]

I don't like to spend $80 on oil when I can get comparable oil for $35. LL-01 was the spec that applied to these vehicles until very recently when BMW superseded it with the new LL-01FE spec. Without getting into the inevitable viscosity arguments, I'm confident that anything reasonably close to the oils that formerly met the LL-01 spec will protect our engines just fine unless you're encountering extreme conditions.

Mobil1 0W-40 Euro forumula was quite popular for BMW's until a few years ago when a re-formulation resulted in losing the LL-01 spec. Many (like me) switched to Castrol Edge 0W-40 as it maintained the LL-01 spec until just very recently. Both of these oils were readily available at Walmart and Amazon for $20-$25 per 5 qt. jug making them a very appealing economic choice. With Castrol having just recently lost LL-01 spec, there are few choices left and none that are as economical. The Pennzoil referenced above would be a great choice, though I'm not willing to spend that much extra just to have it say "LL-01" on the back.

FWIW, I'll probably continue using Castrol Edge 0W-40 as long as it remains readily available for such a low cost. I also wouldn't hesitate to use M1 0W-40 at the same cost. Realistically, any full synthetic 0/5 W - 30/40 oil is going to be perfectly adequate at protecting our "normally" driven BMW's.

AM.

[wpoll]

Castrol Edge 5W-30 A3/B4 and Castrol Edge 5W-40 still meet LL-01

At 200,000kms I switched from the 5W-30 A3/B4 to the 5W-40 to extend turbo bearing life.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by wpoll

Castrol Edge 5W-30 A3/B4 and Castrol Edge 5W-40 still meet LL-01

At 200,000kms I switched from the 5W-30 A3/B4 to the 5W-40 to extend turbo bearing life.

After the rod bearing fiasco, I believe the M54 should use 5-40w.

[bcredliner]

I won't start the which oil is best endless discussion but I will say any oil that meets or exceeds the specs of quality and weight range that BMW recommends for ones particular engine is best practice. IMO that applies from birth to death. More important is frequency of oil and filter change. I change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles.

[Attacking Mid]

Originally Posted by Happy

After the rod bearing fiasco, I believe the M54 should use 5-40w.

? I'm not aware of any such issue in "normally" driven cars.

AM.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by Attacking Mid

? I'm not aware of any such issue in "normally" driven cars.



AM.

The highways here in Texas have limits at 80 mph. When E53 manual owners are at those speeds rpms are at 4000 and above.

When you say “normally” driven, I am assuming you are describing conditions that I would find myself in driving from one town to another.

With the conditions described above, and the fact that my engine has 96,000 miles, I believe the prescribed oil should be 5-40w.

[Happy]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

I won't start the which oil is best endless discussion but I will say any oil that meets or exceeds the specs of quality and weight range that BMW recommends for ones particular engine is best practice. IMO that applies from birth to death. More important is frequency of oil and filter change. I change the oil and filter every 7,500 miles.

bc, in your opinion if mileage was only 2000-3500 per year, how often would you suggest changing out the oil and filter per year?

[Mike1261]

Thanks y'all!

I ended up going with Castrol Edge 5w40.

I used Castrol Edge in our Volvo V60 when we had that car and had no complaints.

I have a slight - what sounds to me like - lifter tapping noise on engine start that goes away after a few seconds.

I only have experience with the internals on GM engines. I honestly don't even know if the BMW has hydraulic camshaft lifters that can make a ticking sound while pumping up with oil??? But that's what it sounds like to me.

I'm curious if the noise will change, reduce, or go away with a different oil.

$22/4-qt at Walmart. Cheaper than the M1 I was buying so yay.