Worthless comparison, IMHO. It didn't specified which Motul 300V was used in that video, but the S54 (as shown in those videos) does required 10W60. However, as far as what I can find, Motul 300V doesn't have an equivalent 10W60. Therefore, we don't know what weight of oil it was being compared to the Castrol 10W60. A lower viscosity oil will let the engine idle and run smoother, but that doesn't mean it's better at protecting the engine.

Actually castrol 10w60 is a bad choice if you read the m5 and m3 boards..even though it's recommended by BMW, the majority of guys who know oil, are using 5w30 and 5w40 in their m3's and m5's...and group V ester based oils will always be better than group III oils advertised as fully synthetics when in fact they're not.
Group III is pretty much all top priced oil at your local auto parts store except Redline which usually falls under IV or V

LL01, like LL98, was a long life spec, IMO, not a full quality spec. I prefer using API standards because they are not proprietary to a manufacturer. I always used API specs and didn't worry much about LL01. When LL04 came out it replaced LL01. Several years later, problems started showing up with standard oil change intervals, in North America. Engine failures. BMW attributed it to fuel quality, which I believe references both ethanol, and sulphur levels. Not sure to what extent each contributed to the problem. The best description of the problem that I recall was that LL04 oils had a low TBN to start, and the ethanol and/or sulphur, likely the combination, reduced the TBN too quickly in service. BMW pulled the LL04 spec for North American petrol engines in 2009. I tried to find the TSB or SIB as I recall posting it here, but am not finding it. Might be my search technique, or old attachments not being saved. You should be able to find it online. In the meantime, I have attached an extract from a more recent BMW document as a screen shot. From 2010, owners manuals no longer called for LL04 in North America. But the Euro hype continues in the aftermarket.

Now, many oils claiming LL04 compatibility are not certified to that spec, they are instead sold as being "suitable for engines requiring that spec." Marketing nonsense. But if they are LL04 oils, look at the starting TBN, and expect reduced service life from that oil in North America.

Lots of discussions on this on BITOG, dating back five years.

The spec I go by is API SM or SN, 5-30. I don't worry about ACEA but then I typically use BMW oil. BMW references API SM in my most recent owner's manual. That is quite a bit better than the SJ or whatever was current back when the X5 came out.

I don't agree that BMW OCIs are a recent change, they have been around since the nineties. And many countries and markets that have that same spec don't include prepaid maintenance.

I have had very good service using the standard BMW OCIs. I did early (half life intermediate) changes on the X5 back in 2003-2005. I moved to 15,000 km, then 20,000, and now use 24,000. That is pretty near 15,000 miles. Multiple vehicles. No oil consumption. I make sure the OE oil filters don't go past 24 months. I do not abuse vehicles. They get warmed properly, by driving, with no extended idling. They regularly get high rpm use. They are used down to -30c occasionally, and up to 35c ambients. Some occasional towing. When I have to do many short trips it gets offset by more extended trips interspersed.

I like a debate too:thumbup:

Jeff

Many owners with S85 (E60 M5) and S65 (E90-93 M3) are considering thinner oil due to bearing clearance issue. Too tight of tolerance is causing premature wear on the bearings and some recommend to use thinner oil. S54 had its share of bearing clearance issues in the earlier years. S54 engine does require 10w-60 since it tend to squeeze out the oil at higher RPMs. BMW recommended higher oil viscosity to increase oil pressure. I’m sure my S54 will be fine with 0w-40 if I were driving normal around town but I would not dare to push to 8500 RPM with 0w-40 on regular bases!

I have yet to see longevity or failure documented as oil being the cause of either.

Yup, me! Almost at 250k miles with my E34 using Mobil 1 0w-40. No issues here with Mobil 1.

You're right about LL04, I was able to find few references. I put that oil in about a month ago and I'll probably change it in spring. That way I didn't waste it and yet there is no way it's been degraded in 6 months or 2000 miles which is all I'll probably put on the X5 anyway.

I usually follow the ACEA for my BMW's and Liqui Moly has so many varieties that it makes it easy to find the right oil. Again, BMW oil is likely good oil but I don't like the BMW arrogance with their: it's designed for our engines and therefore you don't need to know technical specs beyond API rating or whatever.

I have 3 BMW's and don't put many miles on either and that's primarily reason why I'd never go 15000 miles as it would take few years to achieve that. Even BMW recommends (at least use to) to change oil at least one a year regardless of mileage as it does degrades with time too.

With that many miles I guarantee you that your cars do use some oil which is normal (all engines use oil) but the oil level is artificially raised by contaminants even if you do your best to avoid short trips, cold starts etc...

Again, they're your cars and your business and thank you for reminding me about LL04, I was wrong about that.

I've yet to see one too.

No intention to give the impression that any oil is better or worse. I have successfully used Mobil 1 and many other brands over the years.

My point is-- I know I used a brand and I had no issues for X miles. I don't know that the reason I had no issues is because I used X brand. Nor do I know I would have had or not have had an issue if I had used another brand.

The reason there are many successful brands is because there are many good product offerings. I always us oil that meets the specifications of the mfg. but beyond that it is my preference not because I have documentation it is better for my engine than another brand that meets those same specs.