Liqui Moly, Top Tec -or- Special Tec?

[BustedKnuckles]

Originally Posted by Nanniepoo

I for one am glad you made this thread OP. About time for me to do my first oil change on the X5, and was planning on using Liqui Moly since I have it stocked up since I use it in my E36. I'll plan on grabbing some Castrol instead.

I know Liqui Moly is known for making great oils. But compared to even Castrol 5W-30 it is significantly thinner. For me, It was noticeable even just pouring it in the engine. And of course, WAY thinner than Castrol 0W-40. My N62 didn't like the Liqui 5W-30, but it is running smooth and much quieter with the Castrol 0W-40.

[BustedKnuckles]

Originally Posted by SeanC

I remember reading a thread where it was argued that Mobil 1 lost its LL-01 designation due to other issues. PDS numbers still line up with LL-01 requirements.

Decided to do some more research on this and found a few things from other forums regarding the loss of LL-01 rating for Mobile 1. Apparently these individuals emailed Mobile directly and these are the responses they received...

(from another forum)
Basically they changed what the base stock oil is, so now it's a different formulation. If you want to get technical, the previous M1 0w40 was a PAO and Visom (Group III) based oil. The new M1 FS 0w40 is a PAO and GTL oil. GTL is gas to liquid, as in made from natural gas like what Shell/Pennzoil has been marketing as its PurePlus technology.

(from another forum)
Basically, the oil has not been tested to be as sheer-stable over the long 15K change interval. M1 0-W40 (and pretty much any other oil) is completely fine if changed early on all of our engines.

With the above statement I would at least argue that if it should be changed earlier on in the service interval then its not the best option anymore. So why use it?

[Aquamania]

Originally Posted by BustedKnuckles

Decided to do some more research on this and found a few things from other forums regarding the loss of LL-01 rating for Mobile 1. Apparently these individuals emailed Mobile directly and these are the responses they received...

(from another forum)
Basically they changed what the base stock oil is, so now it's a different formulation. If you want to get technical, the previous M1 0w40 was a PAO and Visom (Group III) based oil. The new M1 FS 0w40 is a PAO and GTL oil. GTL is gas to liquid, as in made from natural gas like what Shell/Pennzoil has been marketing as its PurePlus technology.

(from another forum)
Basically, the oil has not been tested to be as sheer-stable over the long 15K change interval. M1 0-W40 (and pretty much any other oil) is completely fine if changed early on all of our engines.

With the above statement I would at least argue that if it should be changed earlier on in the service interval then its not the best option anymore. So why use it?

Take a look at the site, bobistheoilguy.com. All about lubes for all vehicles. great information also.

[Entropy]

Yeah I have read all of the threads on Bob's about M1 0W-40... and at the end of the day, no one really knows what the hell is going on. I'm sure it would be just fine in an LL-01 application given that it still has the other German OEM certifications (Porsche, Mercedes, VW), but with the availability of Castrol and its positive results, the option is a no brainer.

[SeanC]

I will probably change to Castrol starting next time, but I've always had good results with Mobil 1. Crankcase looked cleaner after I started using it back in 2007 in various BMWs. BMW oil and the German Castrol (0w-30), despite being very good oils, can't match the cleaning abilities of Mobil 1 IMO. It will be hard to let it go.

[Entropy]

Originally Posted by SeanC

I will probably change to Castrol starting next time, but I've always had good results with Mobil 1. Crankcase looked cleaner after I started using it back in 2007 in various BMWs. BMW oil and the German Castrol (0w-30), despite being very good oils, can't match the cleaning abilities of Mobil 1 IMO. It will be hard to let it go.

I'm sure you would be just fine continuing with your use of Mobil 1, maybe don't go out past a 10k OCI, but I understand the reason to change. Losing LL-01 raises many questions about the new formula, as LL-01 is regarded as the most strict oil spec out there.