What do the oil gods think?

C

cj10jeeper

Lifer
 Lichfield, England
I could not help but notice that Costco are offering Mobil 1 0w-40 fully sunthetic at just £19.99 per 4 litres and I'm dearly tempted by it

Checking a prior post of grades for the Zed (Provided by BMW) I see they suggest these:

Castrol Edge 5W-30
Castrol Edge Sport 0W-40
Castrol GTX Magnatec 5W-30
Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow BMW LL04l 0W-30 or 5W-30
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra AP 5W-30
Total Quartz INEO MC3 5W-30


According to Mobil's website it meets the requirements of BMW Longlife 01

So do we reckon this is close enough fit, given it's a fully synthetic and same as the Castrol on the list?

Interestingly my X5 with the exact same engine is suggested as a 0w-40, so I'll get some for that anyway.
 
Hmm I think it should be LL04 compatible. It sounds like it actually exceeds the LL04 specification but if that was the case I'm sure they would write it as LL04 approved.

Personally I wouldn't chance it in the Z4.
 
OK - so perhaps I'll just get some for the X5 at that price (which with 80k plus on the clock and it's the recommended grade anyway) and stick to almost identical, if dearer for the Zed
 
Have a quick look at www.opieoils.co.uk they have 35% off everything which ends bankholiday Monday. Might be of some help
 
I have my Z4 (N52 engine) over 6 months now, and have done over 5k miles. The computer still shows full oil level. My previous E60 (N52 engine) used to consume 1 litre of oil every 5k miles. Does your Z4 use any oil at all?

I used to buy a litre of Castrol Edge 0W-30 from Halfords for £14.99 (top-up).
 
jan_tekin said:
Have a quick look at http://www.opieoils.co.uk they have 35% off everything which ends bankholiday Monday. Might be of some help
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Ooh that's not bad. Tempting but I've still got 12k miles until my next service so I'll wait for a future bank holiday* special.




*typing this while at work here in Scotland...
 
Good link
Reassuring that it shows the exact grade actually suits the X5 so at £20 per 4l Vs Opie £45 I'll get some in stock

Z4 never uses a drop of oil, but I check it all the time in case.

a11y - shame. Think of us on January 2nd in England
 
Excuse my ignorance, but what's the reluctance re Mobil 1? It's fully synthetic, for less degradation and better adhesion, and as a 0 - 40, exceeds the effective temp range of a 5 - 30 on BMW's list. Are thereother issues?

Perhaps BMW suggest it in the X5 as they expect the car to be used in colder climates. Not sure.
 
Sticks said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what's the reluctance re Mobil 1? It's fully synthetic, for less degradation and better adhesion, and as a 0 - 40, exceeds the effective temp range of a 5 - 30 on BMW's list. Are thereother issues?

Perhaps BMW suggest it in the X5 as they expect the car to be used in colder climates. Not sure.
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Sticks - your post addresses the basic question I asked, but aside Mike's comment of not matching the LL04, rather the LL01 spec I can see no reason, nor has any been cited. That's why I asked the 'oil gods' hoping that someone would enlighten me that a '40' is a negative because... or a '0w' because....

I cannot imagine that the X5 is rated differently based upon temperature, purely based upon state of engine tune, torque profile and weight of vehicle pulled.
 
Agreed, unless you're worried about the LL04 etc I'd say a 0-40 would be better than a 0-30. Indeed, given the potential for higher temps, though nothing like a turbo, admittedly, I'm surprised a 40 isn't specced. I think I used to use a 10 - 60 in my TVR for this reason (a TVR running warm, surely not! lol)The list seems a bit arbitrary to me.

My thinking with the X5 was that a 0 viscocity oil will still maintain it's effectiveness to a lower temperature, but I don't know tbh. Whatever.

You're not alone though.... http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=66038
 
If you change the oil every 7.5k id go for it CJ :)

Mobil 1 0w40 will be excellent oil and indeed a perfect grade for our engine. The only standard that is missing is the LongLife part... As you use yours regularly (and indeed probably do intermediate oil changes) i think its worth it :)
 
Well I now have 8 litres of Mobil in the garage that I've decided to have anyway and will continue to consider if it's OK for the Zed, or keep it for the X5. I'm dearly tempted as the spec is so high, price less than 50% due to the Costco factor and as Ed mentions yep - I do intermittent oil and filter changes.

I might email BMW as the car has been out since 2002/3 and oils have moved on in 7 years, so we'll see.

As an aside you have to wonder what finds it's way into engines when serviced at various places, even BMW :thumbsdown:

Had to go collect my all stainless steel tool cabinet and top box :thumbsup: Time to have some order in the tool box
 
OK - so I did my own research in the end (which I should do anyway)

Looking at the TIS for something else, I note that the M54 engine requires Longlife -01. Under a subsection they specifically list oils that are OK for my model and Mobil 1 0w 40 fully synth. is an expressely approved oil. It cannot be used if coded 'FE' for fuel economy, as only engines designed to use this thinner oil can. In my copy of the TIS it states that after 2004 BMW will no longer approve specific oils by manufacturer :thumbsdown:

So a happy man and in it goes at the weekend, but it's my research so don't take my word and decide on what is correct for yours based upon engine type, size and year.
 
interesting, thanks for that. But I do think you should go sit on the naughty stair for saying 'thinner oil'. It's not thinner! ' :poke: Knew what you mean though :)
 
Sticks said:
interesting, thanks for that. But I do think you should go sit on the naughty stair for saying 'thinner oil'. It's not thinner! ' :poke: Knew what you mean though :)
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OK - I should have said lower viscosity
 
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