X5 35D Approved Oil
 

Hello,

Can Total Quartz INEO MC3 be used in our X5 Diesels? Looks as if it has similar specs to the Castrol SLX Professional?

I found it here

BMW Motor Oil Castrol SLX Professional Total Quartz INEO MC3 5W-30 Synthetic Low SAPS Formula (1 Quart) 07510037195 - RM European Auto Parts

Thanks,

ANYTHING "can" be used...ONLY one oil is recommended in the USA by BMW. After the warranty is done, knock yourself out with other oils- just remember to run UOAs to see how well it is protecting to optimize your OCIs. (Oil Change Intervals)

UOAs?

Used Oil Analysis

Many oils are approved for BMW LL04 spec. If the oil has LL04 you are fine. Recommended oils are about marketing not specifications.

LL04 is **NOT** a complete spec for qualified (ie "recommended") oils in the USA.

You may well be "fine" with an LL04 oil, just as there are many great oils without LL04 specs that would be "fine".

But on the narrow question of "What Oil is Recommended" the answer, unfortunately, is ONE: Castrol SLX OE Professional

BTW- this is not about 'marketing'..it is about 'free maintenance'...if BMW approved multiple oils, you'd have all sorts of issues with people demanding one of the 'other' approved oils for the paid maintenance.... this way there is ONE oil, ONE oil change service- in the USA.