Absolute best oil for 2011 35d?

[AzNMpower32]

Some high-end indy shops will sell other brands of motor oil that meet the LL-04 spec. I remember the indy shop I used in Dulles, VA sold the Motul 8100 X-Clean 5W-40. At nearly $10 a litre, the dealer was cheaper.

[ard]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Some high-end indy shops will sell other brands of motor oil that meet the LL-04 spec. I remember the indy shop I used in Dulles, VA sold the Motul 8100 X-Clean 5W-40. At nearly $10 a litre, the dealer was cheaper.

This again?

"BMW LL-04" is NOT A COMPLETE OIL SPEC. It is simply that the oil meets BMWs 'Long Life' spec. IT DOES NOT MEAN THE OIL IS SUITABLE FOR ANY ENGINE THAT NEEDS AN LL OIL.

There is ONLY ONE oil that BMW specs in the USA for the diesel. Castrol Professional SLX 5W30. No other oil is approved for 'full fills' in the diesel.

Please note that this does not mean thi sis the 'best' oil...but it is the only oil that will retain your warranty coverage.

[AzNMpower32]

I just stick with whatever meets the LL spec specified in the owner's manual. For the diesels, LL-04 is preferred but some of the other older specs will do in a pinch. Castrol is great (I use their 0W-30 for our petrol BMWs) but it doesn't mean its the only one that can be used. But believe what you wish.

[ard]

Coulda sworn you lived in the USA, and we are discussing a USA owners manual.

If you actually read the english manual, they are OK with non-BMW oil ONLY for 'topping off' between fills. Otherwise, for a full fill, BMW requires the singular oil I mentioned.

it isn't a matter of 'belief'...but people are not really critical readers and therefore they miss the distinction. Translate your text above and it should say pretty much the same...

[JCL]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

I just stick with whatever meets the LL spec specified in the owner's manual. For the diesels, LL-04 is preferred but some of the other older specs will do in a pinch. Castrol is great (I use their 0W-30 for our petrol BMWs) but it doesn't mean its the only one that can be used. But believe what you wish.

If you are going to rely on a Euro owner's manual, then you also have to use Euro fuels. It was the composition of North American fuels that caused BMW to issue a technical bulletin containing a warning to NOT use LL-04 oils in North America on petroleum models, due to potential engine damage.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

If you are going to rely on a Euro owner's manual, then you also have to use Euro fuels. It was the composition of North American fuels that caused BMW to issue a technical bulletin containing a warning to NOT use LL-04 oils in North America on petroleum models, due to potential engine damage.

This I know. Plus, for petrol models it still says LL-01 spec is preferred.

[diesaroo]

Originally Posted by ard

Coulda sworn you lived in the USA, and we are discussing a USA owners manual.
If you actually read the english manual, they are OK with non-BMW oil ONLY for 'topping off' between fills. Otherwise, for a full fill, BMW requires the singular oil I mentioned.

it isn't a matter of 'belief'...but people are not really critical readers and therefore they miss the distinction. Translate your text above and it should say pretty much the same...

Ha! Maybe he's a captive import......but seriously...

Which they can require under Moss-Magnussen because they do provide it for free under the maintenance plan.

FWIW, the SLX is all I will use during the warranty period, but am a little concerned about using it long term due to the 30wt (thin). The Motul 5w-40 tailor made for the M57 engine looks interesting...

[ard]

Originally Posted by diesaroo

Ha! Maybe he's a captive import......but seriously...

Which they can require under Moss-Magnussen because they do provide it for free under the maintenance plan.

FWIW, the SLX is all I will use during the warranty period, but am a little concerned about using it long term due to the 30wt (thin). The Motul 5w-40 tailor made for the M57 engine looks interesting...

Glad you brought up MM... I felt it was getting way too geeky.

People often read that BMW manual and say "well, ard, you are right, it does say you must use the 'recommended' oil- but if you can't get it you can top off with other oils...but BMW must have just made a mistake, or wrote that section poorly, because such a convoluted recommendation makes no sense."

But when you understand that Moss Magnussen requires a manufacturer to provide ALL service items that are required to the consumer at no charge, you realize that BMW will provide oil changes for free- so they state you much use BMW oil for the fill- but they do not want people coming into the service bays and saying 'top me off', hence they carve out the top off oils.

This is their legal policy- many dealers will top off, but BMWNA will NOT pay the dealer for this work.

This is, simply, the reason for BMWs convoluted and nonsensical oil policy in the manual.

And again, this conversation is not "what oil is best"- there are likely better oils than the BMW oil.... just that there is only ONE oil that BMW allows for oil changes.

[Paulk1]

Is it true the only place I can buy the castrol slx is at the dealership? Went to few stores and they have never even heard of it.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Paulk1

Is it true the only place I can buy the castrol slx is at the dealership? Went to few stores and they have never even heard of it.

Yes, true. Sigh.

NBD. Don't let that drive you nuts....lots of threads on this all over the place.