Is Castrol Edge BMW approved?

TurnAround · #1 04-01-2012, 03:32 PM

We recently chatted again about how maybe the BMW claim of their BMW branded Castrol oil wasn't just marketing BS after all, and that maybe Castrol does formulate it to a different BMW spec. My recent evidence is that when I switched to Mobil 1 my oil consumption shot way up. Now up to 1 quart every 1,500 miles in the X5 3.0i, and, the two 3.0i M54 Z3 engines are both burning a little oil now... and never did before (switched to Mobil 1 there too).

So.. my indi mechanic says that the dealership or the BMW supply chain (he has access to both) will only sell 5W-30 now here in the NW. To anyone. Not just my mechanic. Its apparently a BMW decision thing for this area. Used to be able to get the 5W-40, but can't anymore.

But.. my X has 92k and is an oil burner (no leaks btw), so I'm feeling like I need 10W-40. Well.. I've seen several posts on other BMW and Mini forums stating that the new Castrol Edge Syntec is BMW approved. Any info you guys have confirming this?

I bought a case of it. Its got several auto manufacturers listed on the back, but BMW LL1 isn't one of them. My indi can buy this oil. Do we consider it BMW formula Castrol?

Thanks guys.

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killcrap · #2 04-01-2012, 08:26 PM

the only Castrol Edge oil that is approved is 0w30. i dont know what your "mechanic" is talking about, but BMW has always sold syn oil to everywhere since its introduction in 1999 Model Year. The oil that was introduced was 5w40 at that time and was supplied by valvoline. You will see at some point between 2000 and 2001 Model year the oil filler cap now says BMW Recommends Castrol. Which is a marketing deal. It does not say you must use Castrol. I believe when it changed to castrol it was changed to 5w30.

The part number was 07 51 0 002 545. and then superceded to 07 51 1 469 399. You will find these stickers on most 99-2000 engine bays some on even new cars. The new number is 07 51 0 017 866.

the x5 3.0i consumes oil like crazy, it is normal to put in up to 2-3 quarts inbetween the bmw recommended oil changes. sometimes the dipstick will be low 3 quarts already when its due for the oil service.

the retail cost for BMW oil is $7.45 per quart plus tax if applicable.
wholesale cost for your mechanic is $6.51 per quart.

if your looking to purchase 5w40 from bmw, You will recieve oil that is made for Motorcycles. 07 51 0 038 649 BMW Super Synthetic Engine Oil 5W40 available in 1 gallon, or 07 51 0 037 633 4T 5W40 Full Syn Peformance Oil 1 quart.

TurnAround · #3 04-01-2012, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killcrap

the x5 3.0i consumes oil like crazy, it is normal to put in up to 2-3 quarts inbetween the bmw recommended oil changes. sometimes the dipstick will be low 3 quarts already when its due for the oil service.

Thanks dude.

This seems to be where I'm going with the X5. Your comment makes me feel better. Its odd though... the other two M54 engines I own, one with mileage approaching the X, do not burn a drop of oil (until I switched to Mobil 1).

My indi mechanic is also equally unconcerned about the oil burning rate.

Thank you.

JCL · #4 04-01-2012, 09:35 PM

I think your oil consumption has more to do with your driving habits than your choice of oil.

BMW LL specs mean nothing. They were designed to address a problem that existed in 1998 with then-current oil performance. The absence of that private spec means nothing today. Oils have gone past that spec and there is no motivation for an oil company to get a private BMW test done today, especially one that is 11 years old. LL04 is newer than LL01 but BMW caution North American owners not to use it in gasoline engines.

BMW branded oil is different than any commercially available Castrol oil due to the additives. That wouldn't affect consumption.

If a parts department or supply chain SQE isn't distributing a 10-40 oil that is a parts department decision and not an engineering decision IMO.

If Edge or any other 5w30 oil is API SM or SN approved that is all the approval you need.

I used BMW oil because it was the same price or cheaper than Castrol Syntec, which I also used occasionally. I had several vehicles with BMW inline six engines and the X5 used twice as much as all the others, likely due to vehicle weight.

TurnAround · #5 04-01-2012, 10:00 PM

..

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

I think your oil consumption has more to do with your driving habits than your choice of oil.

If Edge or any other 5w30 oil is API SM or SN approved that is all the approval you need. [ The new Edge does say SN approved. Ok, sounds good ]

I had several vehicles with BMW inline six engines and the X5 used twice as much as all the others, likely due to vehicle weight. [COLOR="rgb(255, 140, 0)"][ Ahhh.. now that's really interesting. I do drive my X like I stole it.. just like I drive the Z3's (otherwise.. why own a BMW?)

] [/COLOR]

..

dkl · #6 04-01-2012, 10:22 PM

Agreed with JCL. I've been using Mobil1 since my free maintenance expired over 4 years ago. No increased in consumption at all (I'm at 81K+ miles now) since new - it has always been consuming about 1QT between the annual (approx 10K miles) oil change. I've tried different weight (0W30, 5W30, 10W40) as well and doesn't makes much difference.

motordavid · #7 04-02-2012, 07:09 AM

I'm with JCL & dkl...have used M1 0W-40 in our '01 3.0 for past 5+ years. Oil consumption is same/slightly reduced from when car was 'younger', though I don't attribute that slight reduction to any oil brand.

I like the "0W" part for cool to cold starts at our mtn altitude, and the 40 part doesn't bother me or our highway mpg. If the OP is looking for a magic bullet for his car, there isn't one that I know of.

Drive it, enjoy it, and as killcrap, et al, have noted, the 3.0s burn a bit, and are pulling nearly 3 tons. And, BMW 'knew it' from day one, as most of the reported 'oil consumption/burning' posts here usually fall within what BMW described as 'normal'. No conspiracy...it is what it is.
GL, mD