Castrol Edge question

[kis]

So hopefully a quick one, bought some Castrol Edge after seeing them doing an offer as per this thread.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/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).

 

[Bob123]

[ref]kis[/ref], 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]

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-castrol-edge-titanium-5w-30-ll-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/car-engine-oil-and-fluids/engine-oils/engine-oil-brands/castrol-edge-brand/castrol-edge.html#tab_5w-30-ll

 

[grannyknot]

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]

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…



Any difference in the LL vs M variant?

 

[Chris_D]

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]

5w-30 LL



5w-30 M

 

[kis]

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]

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]

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]

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. :roll:

 

[Gregory_tolson]

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]

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]

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

 

[Chris_D]

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

Can you extrapolate?

 

[N4LLY]

My handbook still reccomends Castrol

 

[Mike6]

Dont get hung up on engine oil. LL only becomes important if you are proposing long service intervals which most of us enthusiasts would never propose. All oils have to meet a standard so by all means buy an expensive one if it makes you feel happy but remember it is the frequency of change which is important. I dont do that much mileage but change my oil and filter about every 3000 miles using Millers.