BMW LL-98 in 4.8is?

lemans4.8 · #1 01-21-2009, 03:09 PM

I want to try out this new oil (Lubro Moly). However, it is only BMW Longlife-98. I checked the manual to see if the car took LL-98 or LL-01 but it only said to "visit an authorized BMW service center." So I visited my dealer (only one in my province) and they had no clue if the car took LL-98 or LL-01. They told me that they are just told to put BMW 5w-30 in cars (10w-60 in M cars). So, is it safe to put approved BMW LL-98 in my 4.8is?

Thanks in advance!

Sponsored Links

JCL · #2 01-21-2009, 06:07 PM

This may start a rather animated discussion. Here is my opinion:

The oil quality is best determined by the API designation. This is an independent designation by the American Petroleum Institute (applicable since you are in North America). The required oil will be noted in your owner's manual. It will probably be SL, or SM. Older X5s called for SH. Each new letter meets the old spec, ie SM is better than SH and SL.

The LL (Long Life) designation is a BMW program. If an oil manufacturer wants to play that game, they can get their oil tested and then put the LL designation on the bottle (LL98, LL00, LL04). If an oil manufacturer does not believe that paying for the test will help sell oil, they don't bother. It doesn't mean it is a bad oil. Some take the lack of an LL designation seriously. I don't care about it at all (by way of reference, I am an ex mechanic, worked at a Chevron distributor, lifetime car hobbyist, professional mechanical engineer, with 22 years working in the engine business but not on BMWs).

I don't use any LL oils in my BMW vehicles, unless I get the oil from the dealer (which I often do). I do look for API SM designations. Not sure what Lubro-Moly meets in that respect. I do use SAE 5W-30, from a name brand (usually Castrol). I won't use Lubro-Moly. It is just opinion, but the fact that they are advertising/promoting that they meet a 10 year old private oil specification, that was 2 generations obsolete when your car was made, would scare me.

Another tidbit: I think BMW has given up on the whole LL program. My two most recent owner's manuals (X3 and 535) make no mention whatsoever of any LL specification.

lemans4.8 · #3 01-21-2009, 08:21 PM

Lubro Moly is a well known oil that is used over in Germany and is recommended by many. Also, I want something that is BMW "approved" just in case the engine blows.... had bad experience in the family with an e39 M5 engine that blew and BMW wouldn't cover it because a BMW "approved" oil was not used.

Also, Lubro Moly is API SM!

JCL · #4 01-21-2009, 09:10 PM

Since it is an API SM oil, and presumably is the 5W-30 that BMW recommends, you shouldn't have any trouble with liability. Seems like your manual is like my two recent manuals, no reference to the LL program.

Not sure why an SM oil (which is a new spec) only meets LL98, and not the newer LL specs. I wouldn't worry about it, but it illustrates the gaps in the BMW LL oil spec program, since SM oils weren't invented when LL98 was current.

lemans4.8 · #5 01-21-2009, 09:46 PM

I guess they just haven't updated their BMWLL testing.... ohwell, I'm going ahead with this! Thanks for the help JCL!

JCL · #6 01-21-2009, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemans4.8

I guess they just haven't updated their BMWLL testing....

Which is strange, since they apparently had the oil tested to the latest API spec. So, do you believe the label on the bottle? There is the possibility that it isn't an API SM oil at all. I wonder how an oil can be designed/formulated to meet the latest API spec, and still meet a spec that is no longer used, is over ten years old, and which has been superceded several times. This is why I use name brands like Castrol and Mobil.

Your choice to use it. Good luck, I hope it works out.

JCL · #7 01-22-2009, 01:00 AM

Out of interest, I went to the Liqui-Moly/Lubro-Moly website. I found both on the same website, and it seems that they are the same company. On the Liqui-Moly website they do list oils that meet more modern specifications. The 5W-30 they recommend for your vehicle apparently meets BMW LL-04. They note on their application chart that their lesser oils are not to be used on BMW vehicles manufactured after June 2003. So, if the oil you are looking at says only LL-98 on it then it appears to be the wrong choice. The correct part number is 1136 (litre), and 1137 (5 litre jug). This oil does appear to cost more than the BMW Castrol oil I buy at my dealership. Not sure what makes it worth more.

http://www.liqui-moly.de/liquimoly/m...%20GB_0806.pdf

Sponsored Links