Just to add to the list, after looking, I think the Amsoil 5w40 might be the only LL-04 spec oil we get in north america.

so many to choose from...
 

so if i'm at 5,000 miles and going to change my filter at 7500 miles, what oil should i use now since my oil is kinda running on the low side of the dipstick?

For reference, how low is your oil? It should be anywhere between the top and bottom marks.

Wait, so the dealers are putting in engine oil that's not good for my engine? Um, that's a bit far-fetched........

I know of a place that sells Castrol RS, but that's only in the 10W-60 formula for the M cars and that thick viscosity will screw up the VANOS unit on my Bimmer. Plus it's not gonna start this winter.

Honestly I don't know about you guys, but the places where I can get good synthetic oil are limited in my area. It's the dealer, the indy shop (which also sells the BMW oil or the Castrol RS), the Advance Auto Parts shop, or Pep Boys. I know Autozone carries the Castrol 0W-30 (whether that's US or Euro-spec I dunno), but I'm not driving deep into DC and getting lost just trying to find a store.

a lil above the bottom mark

Yes how can the dealer be using non spec oil?

mobil 1 full synthetic 0w40

No, the oil is fine, but look at the bottle, it's only 98 spec, not the 01 spec needed to go 15k.

He's under Maintenance, so he does get every other oil change taken care of by the dealer. He could just keep using Castrol if he wanted to since his oci is by defualt, 7,500 miles.

Where on the container do you find the 98 or 01? I have BMW, Castrol and Mobil 1 synthetic and I can't find it on any of the containers???

thanks, drs