[shark715]

As crazy as this sounds, apparently it's true, and it includes 2 series cars, at least here in the U.S.

Mobil 1 0w40 European Car Formula used to state on the back of the bottle that it met BMW's Longlife-01 spec.

I went to order a couple of 5 gallon pails from Amazon to change the oil in my X5, and I noticed the following review:

"I bought this for my BMW 330i as it is supposedly an LL-01 approved oil. However, it it NO LONGER an LL-01 approved oil and the pictures listed are incorrect. The new front label no longer has BMW listed and the rear label listing the chart of which manufacturer is approved no longer has BMW as well.

I bought this oil as I recently read online that M1 0W-40 was losing the BMW LL-01 accreditation, however, Amazon has already switched over to the new stock but has not yet changed their picture."

Sure enough, I used the "find the right oil" feature on Mobil 1's website, and when I entered my X5 (a 2011 50i) I received the following response:

Based on what you've told us, your vehicle manufacturer recommends a 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40 viscosity and oil that meets BMW Longlife LL-01 or BMW Longlife-01FE. We currently do not offer any motor oils in the United States that meet these specifications.

I also own a 2016 M235, and the same message appeared when I entered that car.

Sounds like Mobil 1 European Car Formula is no longer being marketing in the United States.

I posted this on the main forum instead of the Maintenance section as I know several 2 series owners here mentioned adding a quart of Mobil 1 when their cars were down a quart between oil changes, and I wanted to make sure everyone is alerted right away.

[overcoil]

Interesting.

[XutvJet]

Run Castrol Euro.

[scrape1]

I wonder if their decision to stop marketing LL01 0W40 has anything to do with BMW shifting to LL14 0w-20 oil for their newest engines.

I hope this isn't a trend that is going to make it harder to find reasonably priced oil for those of us who still need the old spec oil if we are to adhere to the owner's manual recommendation.

[shark715]

I was just researching it, and Amazon sells 5 qt pails of Castrol that meets the spec for our cars for $25.17. Looks like Walmart has the same product for the same price.

[shark715]

But what's interesting is that according to Castrol's website their 5w30 product does not, only the 0w30 and 0w40 products.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by shark715

But what's interesting is that according to Castrol's website their 5w30 product does not, only the 0w30 and 0w40 products.

This is correct. Depending on where you live, the 0wXX Castrol Euro spec oils can be hard to find and chances are, never at Walmart. I'm an ex-WRX owner and Castrol Euro 0w-30 is by far one of the most robust synthetic oils out there for turbo motors. I'll be running that in my M235 between free oil changes and as a top off.

[shark715]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

This is correct. Depending on where you live, the 0wXX Castrol Euro spec oils can be hard to find and chances are, never at Walmart. I'm an ex-WRX owner and Castrol Euro 0w-30 is by far one of the most robust synthetic oils out there for turbo motors. I'll be running that in my M235 between free oil changes and as a top off.

Walmart (and Amazon, too) have the Castrol Euro 0w40 5 gallon pails readily available on their website for $25.17 and shipping is free if you buy two (free shipping with a $50 purchase at walmart.com). I'm going to use the 0w40 as it will meet the manufacturer spec for my Porsche and Mercedes, too, keeping it simple.

[uberspeed]

Guess I'll be looking up comparisons on bobistheoilguy.com, thanks for the heads up.

[DSTR]

BMW partner with Shell - For US use this - http://www.shell.com/motorist/find-t...NfRUZ0OFBrbksx

[2msport]

Amsoil is a good way to go

[Xiaoxi]

I do in-between dealer oil changes using Liqui Moly and will probably use it exclusively once the maintenance period runs out.

http://blog.bavauto.com/12165/bmw-an...-30-synthetic/

[BMW335iOn18s]

Not to be rude, but....why would anyone use ANYTHING other than the oem BMW oil? I don't get it. Do you really think liqui moly or amsoils engineers are smarter than BMW's engineers? It doesn't make any sense to me.

[scrape1]

I have a lot of doubt that the low volume boutique motor oil makers produce a more effective product than the major oil companies like such as BP (Castrol), Shell, and Mobil. They certainly don't have anywhere near the R&D budget, so where exactly are they getting their expertise? Mostly what I see is some marketing hype to try to justify a higher price, with very little concrete evidence that they make a superior lubricant to one of the major BMW approved oils.

[overcoil]

I agree with scrape1 above.

The big names make some great oils.

A knowledgeable person involved with a top tier race team told me the BMW branded oil was very good - they told me that when it was Castrol supplied.
They also said the Shell Helix ( if I recall correctly ) was an exceptional oil, the one for Ferrari road cars.
He wasn't saying there better then Mobil1 or other oils but that there are some great oils out there.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Interesting read, thank you OP
I use Castrol European Formula and i highly recommended it

[Luftwaffe1O1]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Not to be rude, but....why would anyone use ANYTHING other than the oem BMW oil? I don't get it. Do you really think liqui moly or amsoils engineers are smarter than BMW's engineers? It doesn't make any sense to me.

Well, for one, BMW uses a branded oil, I think used to be Castrol, I think its Shell now?

I would agree with like the boutique oils might not be as great, but I wouldn't call Liqui Moly a boutique one, since they sponsor a lot of race events/cars.

They are a pretty big brand in Europe, and their focus is primarily on oil. Keep in mind Castrol/ Mobil do have big budgets, but I would imagine they also spend time researching for higher numbers, rather than specifics, where as some of the brands forcus on performance.

[BMW335iOn18s]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffe1O1

Well, for one, BMW uses a branded oil, I think used to be Castrol, I think its Shell now?

I would agree with like the boutique oils might not be as great, but I wouldn't call Liqui Moly a boutique one, since they sponsor a lot of race events/cars.

They are a pretty big brand in Europe, and their focus is primarily on oil. Keep in mind Castrol/ Mobil do have big budgets, but I would imagine they also spend time researching for higher numbers, rather than specifics, where as some of the brands forcus on performance.

Maybe, but LL01 approved castrol oil was never to be found in any physical store at American shores. Maybe in same rare cases, but I've never seen any LL01 approved oils for sale other than Mobil 1 0W-40 and apparently that's no longer around either.

[kevin ob]

I've been reading the thread & thought I would provide background and facts about BMW Branded Motor Oil.

Castrol used to be the official motor oil of BMW and Mobil 1 had a LL01 approval from BMW. In 2015, Shell became the supplier of all of BMW's motor oils globally. So the BMW oil you see at the dealer is made by Shell & sold under the BMW or Mini name. This includes all grades from 0w20 to 10w60.

Shell also has BMW LL01 approvals now under the Shell Helix Brand globally (and under the Pennzoil Brand in North America). I think the Pennzoil can be found at AutoZone, Advance Auto, and O'Reilly - but don't hold me to that.

I honestly do not know if Mobil 1 still has LL01 approvals as the formulations were updated in 2015.

Hope this information helps,

Kevin

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by BMW335iOn18s

Maybe, but LL01 approved castrol oil was never to be found in any physical store at American shores. Maybe in same rare cases, but I've never seen any LL01 approved oils for sale other than Mobil 1 0W-40 and apparently that's no longer around either.

Castrol European synthetic at the local autostore. I got it because it was VW 505 compliant for the Passat, but it carried a BMW LL-01 certification as well.

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

I do in-between dealer oil changes using Liqui Moly and will probably use it exclusively once the maintenance period runs out.

Just keep an eye on it. The Liqui Moly site recommends a number of oils for the M235, but they vary between LL-01 and LL-04 compliant.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by DSTR

BMW partner with Shell - For US use this - http://www.shell.com/motorist/find-t...NfRUZ0OFBrbksx

Correct. I use this Penzoil Euro Platinum 5-40 (Amazon) between dealer changes. This is better oil than the BMW 0-30 which comes from Shell/Penzoil now.