Castrol Edge question

kis · Post by **kis** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 12:36 pm

So hopefully a quick one, bought some Castrol Edge after seeing them doing an offer as per this thread.
viewtopic.php?t=137387

However the bottle doesn’t have BMW mentioned on the back or LL-04? But the Amazon add does?

Should I return? I’ve double checked on the castrol website with the car reg, and comes up under recommended. So I guess it’s okay?

What do other “edge” users get? The LL or the M variant? (I notice the M variant has BMW stamped on it).

: 1E3C0E5E-CD5D-42D5-A396-3A46B07F98D1.jpeg (140.14 KiB) Viewed 584 times

Bob123 · Post by **Bob123** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 12:58 pm

kis, I did the same as you, including checking the oil on Castrol's site and the two bottles that turned up are exactly as in your picture. I was told by my local BMW dealer that BMW now recommend Shell engine oil, maybe that has something to do with it?

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:06 pm

It probably doesn't list BMW, as BMW moved their oil partnership to Shell.

However, the same oil is on the OpieOils website (and Castrol's own website) and lists BMW LL04 in the blurb and the photos! There is no other listing for 5w-30 Edge Titanium.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-713-castro ... e-oil.aspx

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-ki ... b_5w-30-ll

grannyknot · Post by **grannyknot** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 1:07 pm

As I heard it, Castrol is the same now as it was, it's just that BMW sold the recommendation rights to Shell as Castrol didn't want to pay the higher price BMW was asking.

kis · Post by **kis** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 2:33 pm

That’s interesting.

When I did my reg into the website it came up with 5w30 M as an alternative… as far as I can tell this still has BMW on it…

: 47D92553-3C38-4BA2-B69E-0144F5E2269F.jpeg (123.54 KiB) Viewed 555 times

Any difference in the LL vs M variant?

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 4:25 pm

I use Castrol Edge 5W40 'M' variant as it's now called.
Same as the old 'LL04' spec, just a different nomenclature due to BMW shifting allegiances to Shell as already suggested.

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Sat Sep 10, 2022 9:09 pm

5w-30 LL

: LL.jpg (148.98 KiB) Viewed 491 times

5w-30 M

: M.jpg (157.51 KiB) Viewed 491 times

kis · Post by **kis** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:30 pm

So is consensus if getting Edge to get whichever is cheaper out of LL or M? Seems to be very little differences as per screenshots above….

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:47 pm

Is it only me that doesn’t worry about this kind of stuff and just uses whatever is cheapest at Euro Car Parts?

mmm-five · Post by **mmm-five** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 2:18 pm

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Sat Sep 17, 2022 12:47 pm Is it only me that doesn’t worry about this kind of stuff and just uses whatever is cheapest at Euro Car Parts?

Not at all.

Of course, I can't offer an solution to which is the 'best' option - you pay/save your money and take your chances

Some want to spend as little as possible no matter the potential damage
Some want to spend as little as possible but play safe
Some only buy what's in the manual even if it's not the best anymore
Some just buy the most expensive assuming it's the best

If you change your car more often than underpants, then why would you care

I'd rather put 'poorer' oil in more frequently, than putting the 'perfect' oil in but stick to the overly-long BMW intervals.

buzyg · Post by **buzyg** » Sat Sep 17, 2022 4:44 pm

Some good stuff there guys.

I certainly have always used Castrol Edge and change it every year. I was aware of the move to shell. Had no idea there were now two variants though. Although they appear pretty darn similar.

Gregory_tolson · Post by **Gregory_tolson** » Mon Sep 19, 2022 1:21 pm

you can use any fully synthetic 5w30 or 5w40 by any brand. It just means the oil wasnt tested to BMW's long lasting oil tests. Which, if you plan to run the oil more than 5,000 miles i guess you should be cognizant of it but otherwise, just use it. i've never let my oil changes go past 5,000 miles.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Mon Sep 19, 2022 1:53 pm

Probably the most important maintenance aspect of any car is changing the oil on a regular basis and intermediate oil-changes are something I and many others here do religiously.
Oil specs are pretty important and I would suggest yes, you can get away with using any old 5W30/40 oil but you would be deviating from the specification determined by BMW. These specifications are determined for several very applicable reasons.

I believe part of the reason I got 285k miles out of an M52TUB25 engine was regular and intermediate oil changes.
The engine compression was still 'in-spec' by the time it was t-boned and would probably have gone on for another 285k miles given the chance. It was actually bought and converted into a drift car and is still going strong by all accounts.

Rockhopper · Post by **Rockhopper** » Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:36 pm

Be aware that many oils are specified by the manufacturer simply because there is a financial arrangement between the two parties.

Chris_D · Post by **Chris_D** » Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:51 pm

Rockhopper wrote: ↑Mon Sep 19, 2022 2:36 pm Be aware that many oils are specified by the manufacturer simply because there is a financial arrangement between the two parties.

Can you extrapolate?

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