Oil specification

RayM

Member
 Cheltenham
Hi Guys

I've had a bit of a look through previous posts but I'm as confused as hell now.

Can someone advice me as to the correct oil for the M54 3.0 engine please, as I understand that only specific specifications can be used with the right additive's? There seem to be so many available I don't know where to start. I have bought from OPIE in the past..

Regards.
 
Search on Opie for LL04 and pick one that you like, probably avoid the cheapest but don't bother with the most expensive. That way your computer service intervals will be alright, although some people still like to change it more often than 15,000 miles. I used to use Silkolene Pro-S 5W40 on my M54 3.0 in a 330 which should be changed more often but it drank so much that it virtually changed itself. As for weight check the manual but I think BMW say 5W30 although 5W40 is fine too, particularly if you're getting on for 100k.
 
IMO if you're changing every 5-7.5k then brands are much of a much, it's too difficult to wade through all the marketing to make a proper decision. If it meets the spec you can't go far wrong.
 
I've opted for the 5w30 BMW LL01 rated Tripple QX as an interim oil just to flush out the old gunk and the car has responded well to it (vs 2 year old unknown brand/grade oil before)
 
This is a good price and rated LL04 as per the BMW spec for the 3.0i

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/engine-oil/shell-550042370_g3224_a962550042370.html
 
Opted for the 2 x Petronas LL-04 spec oil as it's a cracking price on Europarts compared to everywhere else. Get a further 10% off with EXTRA10 and free delivery.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_Z4%20Roadster_3.0_2005/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/engineoils/5w30-engine-oil/?521772461&0&1&cc5_247
 
Found this one as well............

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/engine-oil/bolk-bol-d031016_g3224_a999BOL-D031016.html


Never heard of the make. But it's cheap as chips. Plus it says BMW longlife!


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Z4 - Kev said:
Found this one as well............

http://www.mister-auto.co.uk/en/engine-oil/bolk-bol-d031016_g3224_a999BOL-D031016.html


Never heard of the make. But it's cheap as chips. Plus it says BMW longlife!



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's listed as an LL01 not LL04, although they do LL04 int he range.
Personally I'd never put really cheap oil in unless I planned it as a short term or intended to change it much more often.
While there's plenty of myths around oil I just instinctively believe it won't be as good, so why risk such a great engine for a saving of a tenner or so.
 
I use Mobil 1 esp 5w 30 in mine. Usually get 5 litres for about 35 quid from eurocarparts when they have their never ending sale on.

I suspect Petronas will be just as good. They're title sponsor of the Mercedes F1 team so can't be that bad!
 
nb67 said:
Opted for the 2 x Petronas LL-04 spec oil as it's a cracking price on Europarts compared to everywhere else. Get a further 10% off with EXTRA10 and free delivery.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_Z4%20Roadster_3.0_2005/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/engineoils/5w30-engine-oil/?521772461&0&1&cc5_247


Ordered myself some of that. I've always used castrol edge but that's too cheap to miss out on. Petronas can't be a bad make when the names all over Mercedes F1
 
Costco is the place for oil cheap as chips for premier brands. Just have to buy when in as they constantly change grades on shelf.
For online Opie takes some beating.

Annoys me that so many have moved to 4l cans so I have to buy 2 for the larger engines whereas befor used to be 1 and perhaps an extra litre...
 
Beetlegav said:
nb67 said:
Opted for the 2 x Petronas LL-04 spec oil as it's a cracking price on Europarts compared to everywhere else. Get a further 10% off with EXTRA10 and free delivery.

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/BMW_Z4%20Roadster_3.0_2005/p/car-accessories/engine-oils-and-car-fluids/engineoils/5w30-engine-oil/?521772461&0&1&cc5_247


Ordered myself some of that. I've always used castrol edge but that's too cheap to miss out on. Petronas can't be a bad make when the names all over Mercedes F1

Looks like pretty quick delivery too, just had an email saying it's being delivered tomorrow!!
 
I was talking to Will at TWG Automotive about oil for my Z4. He said I need LongLife 04 for my Z4 as it has the N52 engine which has Valvetronic.

I asked if I could use that in my E46 with an M54 engine as well, only BMW specify LongLife 01 for that. He said I could but if I did I would probably be topping it up rather more frequently than I would like!

So I bit the bullet and bought Castrol Edge in Tesco's - they do both LL01 and LL04 versions! Still it was on special offer at the time - £10.50 a litre instead of £14.50! I know BMW always recommended Castrol and TWG use it, so for the sake of a few quid I'll treat them both. :D
 
I bought Shell this time around. Having used more expensive stuff in the past I've decided this is more than up to the job of a standard production engine that isn't overly stressed.
 
The Petronas Synthac I used seems really good. I read up that Eurocarparts have a special deal to market this oil, hence you will not see it elsewhere. If you search the technical reviews its an extremley good oil and most likely as good as the better known makes. At least you can say you have a bit of F1 in your car. However remember that is not a longlife oil so change every year or 6000 miles
 
Back
Top Bottom