Z4-forum.com

Hi there,
I'm about to tackle an oil change myself and could do with some advice on oil choice.
I've seen Castrol Magnatec 5/30 at Costco but it's "A5". Will this be suitable or do I need to use an LL04 oil.
It's going in an E86 with 97k on the clock.
Many thanks

Andy

I've always used LL-04 because that what it says in the manual. Others, of a more technical nature, may have differing views and be able to explain why.

You need LL04 if you're going to leave it the full length of the service light but if you change it sooner don't worry.

To be frank these engines don't require anything particularly special and I used to use Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 (which is LL04) after I stopped shelling out for Silkolene/Fuchs that was more necessary on my Integra Type-R.

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated

Andy

Costco tend to carry Castrol Edge too, most of the time anyway. This does meet BMW LL04 specs if you want to make sure.

Regarding Shell Helix, its actually LL01 spec, but seeing as some Zeds come with the M54 engine which was first used around 2000, its a perfectly suitable oil too.

Actually as the OP has an E86 he's got the later N52 engine, for which LL04 is recommended.

You have to check the container - Castrol Edge can be LL01 or LL04 and I expect the same is true of Shell.

My BMW Indy told me a year or so ago that BMW had swapped from Castrol to Shell, and he has done the same.

I really wouldn't get hung up on LL04.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56144

I use VW/Audi oil, which is quantum longlife 3 5w30. Quantum oil is made in the UK, used to be made by Bp or in other words "Castrol" and was just rebadged edge oil at a lower cost. However last year Vag changed to Fuchs as their supplier and the new Quantum is rebadged TITAN GT1 PRO C-3 SAE 5W-30 XTL, xtl is a new fuchs oil technology and is called QFX by Quantum. This oil meets the VW 504/507 standard and BMW LL04 + Mercedes and is also ACEA C3, so perfect for a Z4. The only test I could find was a friction test where it outperformed Bp/Castrol edge and Mobil 1.

The best bit! This can be purchased at TPS, for those not owning a vag car, this is the trade arm of vw who will sell to the public at trade price. I have just purchased 20 litres (4x5litre containers) for £60 +vat = £72. I also bought an audi and vw oil filters at £4 each! Now I have to change the oil on 3 cars...doh!

You can be a badge snob and buy mobil 1 or castrol edge at stupidly inflated prices but I wouldn't waste my money on a name.

If your interested further reading here:-

https://www.fuchs.com/uk/en/company/new ... oil-range/

https://www.fuchs.com/uk/en/products/pr ... echnology/

https://tps.trade/lubricants/longlife-03-5w30-5l

Friction test results:-
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... edit#gid=0

Nice find. Can you buy oinline at TPS?

I don't think so, they have a number of centres all over the country supplying the dealer network. I got the offer on oil when I went in, normal price was £25 for 5 litres but buying 20 litres reduced the price significantly!

To be honest I tend to go with whatever decent fully synthetic I find a deal on.

Last year I used Gulf Oil, as Opie were clearing out the "old label" stuff so it was dirt cheap, LL04 approved too.

This year I have some Shell Helix Ultra ready to go, again a very good price and LL01 approved (I'm running the M54 engine, which precedes LL04, therefore I see no requirement to go with it over LL01)

Mr Tidy wrote: ↑Thu Feb 15, 2018 9:58 pm My BMW Indy told me a year or so ago that BMW had swapped from Castrol to Shell, and he has done the same.

Likely true, my Lads Gen 3 F56 Mini says clearly BMW recommend Shell oils, it used to be BMW recommends Castrol Oils. Bear in mind though the switch is far more likely to be for commercial reasons than technical.

It is very difficult for any layman to say one oil is better than another far too much time and testing required to quantify it, so I would go for what ever oil your are comfortable with that meets BMW specs. Personally I would rather use a cheaper oil that meets the spec and change it at 10k or 1 years, than use more expensive oil and stretch it out.

Magicarcher wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2018 7:14 pmLikely true, my Lads Gen 3 F56 Mini says clearly BMW recommend Shell oils, it used to be BMW recommends Castrol Oils. Bear in mind though the switch is far more likely to be for commercial reasons than technical.

It is very difficult for any layman to say one oil is better than another far too much time and testing required to quantify it, so I would go for what ever oil your are comfortable with that meets BMW specs. Personally I would rather use a cheaper oil that meets the spec and change it at 10k or 1 years, than use more expensive oil and stretch it out.

Yes, I believe it was a commercial decision. My Indy said he thought it was because Shell would supply it in BMW branded containers without their logo on them, but Castrol wouldn't!

Go onto https://www.opieoils.co.uk/, put in your reg and get some Millers.

Millers at the correct spec will cost £38 for just 5 litres, a complete waste of money when superior Quantum or Fuchs is only £18 for 5 litres when 20 litres is purchased or £25 when 5 litres is purchased.