Oil / Filter for 2011 35i
 

Hello!


2011 x5 xDrive 35i



My Googling is showing conflicting information. Although everyone seems to agree on synthetic, what oil should I be putting in, 0w30, 5w30, 5w40 or different? We're entering winter in coastal VA US if that matters. This is the first turbo engine I've owned so I'm not sure how critical brand matters here. I've read that I should only buy the oil from a BMW dealership. Is this true?


Is the STP Extended Life S10075XL an acceptable quality filter?


Thanks for your time!

Oil / Filter for 2011 35i
 

For local brand I've been using Castrol. For < 100k mi. I've been using 5w30 and about to switch to 5w40 for my >200k mi. 3.0i

Until last year I used Mobil 1

With FCP Euro policy of forever oil I am switching to Liqui Moly for both our cars. OEM filter that comes with the kits.

Wife's car is 50i should spec similar to the 35i and I would get LM 5w30 unless that motor spec differently from the 50i.

This is what I would use: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Castrol-E...uarts/35931146

Ideally, you want something that meets BMW's LL01 specification, but there aren't a lot of oils that still carry that certification. The above oil recently dropped the certification, but many of us still use it. Don't get too hung up on which oil you're using. Most any decent synthetic oil in the recommended grade(s) should protect your engine fine assuming you're not driving super hard and you're changing the oil at reasonable intervals (e.g., 7,500).

For filters, I would stick with OE suppliers such as Mann, Mahle, Hengst. Some have reported problems when deviating from these suppliers.

AM.

Am doing what Andrew Wynn is doing (not generally returning items), but I like the price, ease and OEM spec of the LM.

Hey there guys and thanks for all the help!


I don't know what "forever oil" is but I'm all for the Liquid Moly from FCPE. It looks like it's between these two:


https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...7kt-lm#fitment


https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw...t-lm-2#fitment


Any suggestions on the better oil for a ten year old 150k mile turbo engine?

The first is what I just ordered for our N63.

The "forever" oil is that you send back your used oil and get full credit to pay for the replacement. The credit is based on current prices not the original.

So you get new oil for the cost of shipping.

Does it make any sense at all?

Nope.

I think they call it a "loss leader".

They lose money with every transaction. How do they make a profit?

Volume.

(Stolen line from SNL all change bank with Phil Hartman I believe).

That second oil does NOT appear to be LL01 approved. I would not use it. (notice the very sneaky, snake oil language of "this oil recommended for cars that require LL01"...if you arent paying attention it looks like they are saying it meets these standards....)





I also dont see why people by 'kits'. What do you do when you need top off oil?!? Buy a case of 5L jugs, or at the least some extra. If you want, add a single quart bottle to reuse as a 'traveler' in the car...


+1 on Mann oil filter

The kits from FCP include extra oil and any o-ring etc.

For 50i, however only has 5L jugs so I bought one extra L so I can keep a liter in the car so any time it gets low it's with.

Car has been burning oil at a rate of about a quart per 2600mi which might be as low as I've ever heard for N63 motor.