penzoil

[Takimo]

are they certified for bmw ?

[tmv]

I don't think so.

[BigBlack48is]

what does BMW certified even mean??

just change it every 5k miles with decent synthetic oil and you'll be fine.

[beamertruck]

the Pennzoil 5W-40 euro blend meets BMW specs. The only oil "certified" is Castrol because they pay BMW to recommend them and use the oil the formulate. I have used the Pennzoil with absolutely no issues, SOPUS products are probably the best over the counter so I would use it and not worry about it.

[Takimo]

ok so the brand doesnt really matter , they are all similar in a certain way ... ?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Takimo

ok so the brand doesnt really matter , they are all similar in a certain way ... ?

While the brand doesn't really matter, as mentioned above, the certifications and specifications of the oil do matter. Many oil companies make products that meet the required specs.

You want an API SM or SN oil, as those are the most recent specs. Your owner's manual will reference an earlier API oil like an SJ, but they are backwards compatible, so take advantage of the new oils. Some of us feel that it is important that it actually be certified to the API standard; others claim that it doesn't matter. Your call. The API certified oils have an API mark on the bottle.

You want a 5w-30, or a 5w-40. That is the weight of the oil, and it matters as well.

You specifically do not want an oil that claims to be BMW LL-04. This was a BMW long life spec from 2004 that BMW later pulled back on for North American gasoline fueled vehicles, as this spec oil turned out to not stand up to the fuels we typically have in North America, so it didn't last as long. Some oils that are formulated for European vehicles use this spec, but it is a negative and not a positive for a gasoline fueled vehicle in North America. If you want a BMW Long Life (LL) spec, you can use LL-01, but it is 13 years out of date so it is up to you whether you worry about it or not. Many of us don't, as there has been a lot of progress in oil formulations in the last decade.

[admranger]

FWIW, I just changed the oil in my X5 4.4i to Liquimoly 5w-40 "hi-tech". It meets the LL-01 spec, not that I let it sit in there too long (I change at 1/2 the recommended interval).

What was surprising to me was how much quieter the valve train was than before. Very noticeable difference. I don't know why.

Comes in handy 5L (and 1L) containers.

[admranger]

FWIW, I just changed the oil in my X5 4.4i to Liquimoly 5w-40 "hi-tech". It meets the LL-01 spec, not that I let it sit in there too long (I change at 1/2 the recommended interval).

What was surprising to me was how much quieter the valve train was than before. Very noticeable difference. I don't know why.

Comes in handy 5L (and 1L) containers.

[beamertruck]

Just as JCL said, I would say definitely look for the starburst API (the Amsoil signature series doesnt have it but thats a whole 'nother story and argument). The LL-04 oils have a higher SAPS content which as JCL stated dont get along with the low sulfur fuels here (now with ULSD even us diesel guys gotta watch the oil we use). If your using the correct viscosity and meets the current standards then your fine. The only thing is it is NOT all the same (similar? Absolutely!). SOPUS, Exxon mobil are your best bet for over the counter oils as they use better base stocks and additive packages (mostly group III with group IV mixed). I prefer the Pennzoil because they have a higher content of group IV base stocks so its more of a synthetic then most other oils. (to be full synthetic a motor oil only has to be a certain percentage of synthetic ,look up Mobil vs Castrol Lawsuit).

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by JCL

While the brand doesn't really matter, as mentioned above, the certifications and specifications of the oil do matter. Many oil companies make products that meet the required specs.

You want an API SM or SN oil, as those are the most recent specs. Your owner's manual will reference an earlier API oil like an SJ, but they are backwards compatible, so take advantage of the new oils. Some of us feel that it is important that it actually be certified to the API standard; others claim that it doesn't matter. Your call. The API certified oils have an API mark on the bottle.

You want a 5w-30, or a 5w-40. That is the weight of the oil, and it matters as well.

You specifically do not want an oil that claims to be BMW LL-04. This was a BMW long life spec from 2004 that BMW later pulled back on for North American gasoline fueled vehicles, as this spec oil turned out to not stand up to the fuels we typically have in North America, so it didn't last as long. Some oils that are formulated for European vehicles use this spec, but it is a negative and not a positive for a gasoline fueled vehicle in North America. If you want a BMW Long Life (LL) spec, you can use LL-01, but it is 13 years out of date so it is up to you whether you worry about it or not. Many of us don't, as there has been a lot of progress in oil formulations in the last decade.