Engine Oil Recommendation for E86 3.0Si

A

AAJS

Member
 Cheshire
Hi all,
I've tried to search the existing threads for oil recommendations but the search wouldn't work for me as I think it is looking for a precise title. Basically, I'm servicing my 2007 E86 3.0Si and its been a hard task to find out exactly what grade of oil I should use. The dealership closest to me will only sell 20L at more than £220, which doesn't make sense and all I was told is that it needs to be 5W-30. Reading around for a car that old with that particular engine it seems to me that I should also be looking for BMW Longlife-01 and ACEA A3 (I think!). Looked in Amazon and other online stores and the most common type seems to be BMW Longlife-04.

To all the good folks out there, can you please share/let me know what they think I shoudl use.

Many Thanks
 
I have the same car as you and put Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL in it as I had some in the garage. Car has zero lifter tick and runs really well considering 162k miles. Might go for 5W-40 next time.
 
Owner's manual for the N52 calls for 5w30 or 5w40.


Ll-01 is from 2001. Ll-04 is the 2004 replacement. Ll-04 is backwards compatible (I think, double check that, but I'm 99% sure), but as the N52 came out in 2004, ll-04 will be fine.

I used Millers in all our BMW cars, and my Volvo.
 

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I was recommended by @bigwinn to put 5w40 in my M54 (which is virtually the same as an N52) due to it's age. He knows old n/a BMW engines.
With 5w40 it has excellent oil pressure (I have a gauge) all the time. Even when at full temperature (90c oil) it has 30psi at tickover. It hasn't drank a drop of oil yet, either, in 1,000 miles.
 
I believe BMW use Shell Helix Ultra, but there are plenty of oils that meet LL04 specification - even Tesco have an own brand one that does!

I have the same N52 in my 330i, but now it's done 130K miles I use 5W-40 for top ups, and with a summer like this one oil with a wider temperature range seems like a good idea.
 
I personally use Motul 5w40 8100 X-clean LL-04 in mine. It’s been great so far. Zero oil consumption between oil changes.
 
Any BMW spec 5w40 will be your best bet. Just change it every 5000 miles/2 track days. I track my car and use the cheapest major-brand 5W-40 oil I can find. Usually Total or Petronas. It's about £25-£30 a change and does me just fine.
 
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