Oil Difference for X5M?

[clevemont]

Can anyone tell me the difference between these two oils? One is almost double the cost of the other and while I'd lean toward the more expensive one, the assumption being that more expensive means better, I'd prefer that not to be my only reason, lol. The only difference I can see is the A3/B4 designation of the more expensive oil, but not sure what that means for our X5Ms.

Castrol 03037 EDGE 5W-30 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 quart
https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG

Castrol 03084 EDGE 5W-30 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil, 5 Quart
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ICSWGJ0..._t3_B0161A4CKG

Sorry moderator, I accidentally posted this as a reply in the X6 forum when my intent was to have it posted in the X5 section.

[X5 MAN]

I prefer to use Castrol Edge 0W-40

It is BMW approved European Formula

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[nlastovi]

Originally Posted by clevemont

Can anyone tell me the difference between these two oils?

The A3/B4 labeled oil is API SL/CF and ACEA A3/B4 Meets BMW Longlife-01, VW 502 00/ 505 00 and MB-Approval 229.3/ 229.5.

The non-A3/B4 oil is API SN/CF, ILSAC GF-5 and ACEA A5/B5.

Reading this, the primary difference is that one meets API SL and ACES A3/B4 and the other meets API SN and ACES A5/B5.

So what's the difference then between a SL and a SN oil? The designation relates to when the oil specification was released. Specifically SL was a 2001 standard. SN was, I think, 2011. So cars that were built in that time range would have listed SL since that is the current that there was.

For recent (e.g. since SJ) oils in the S (meaning spark ignition) category the higher specification will supersede the lower letter grade. For example, if we have an oil with specification SN, it can also be used for vehicles which request API SM, SL and SJ; it is backward compatible.

The differences between, for example, SM and SL as published by the API are:

- SM is limited to .06 min/.08 max percent phosphorous; SL is limited to .10% max phosphorous

- TEOST is limited to 35mg max for SM; TEOST is not rated of SL.

- Sulfur is .5% max (0w/5w) for SM; Sulfur is .7% max (10w) for SM; Sulfur is not limited for SL.

- Engine test for SM is sequence IIIG; Engine test for SL is sequence IIIF

- SM limits viscosity increase to 150% max at 100 hours.; SL limits viscosity increase to 275% max at 80 hours.

- Cam wear using sequence 4A limited to 90 micron max for SM; Cam wear using sequence 4A limited to 120 micron max for SL.

- Bearing weight loss using sequence 8 is 26 mg max for SM; Bearing weight loss using sequence 8 is 26.4 mg max for SL.

But for a BMW, if you want to wake up feeling pure and fresh look for BMW LL01 oils. They might or might not be any better or different, but you'll know that the BMW engineers and the oil company engineers agree that it is the best. Is it really truly the best? That's likely impossible to prove one way or the other.

[X5 MAN]

https://www.api.org/products-and-ser...s#tab-gasoline

https://www.oilspecifications.org/articles/api-sn.php

As you can see the more expensive oil in the GOLDEN bottle is OBSOLETE

[nlastovi]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

https://www.api.org/products-and-ser...s#tab-gasoline

https://www.oilspecifications.org/articles/api-sn.php

As you can see the more expensive oil in the GOLDEN bottle is OBSOLETE

This is an untrue statement (at least from the standpoint of American Petroleum Institute). Neither oil is considered obsolete. SJ and later are considered current at this time while SH and prior are considered obsolete. Castrol 03037 is API SL. Castrol 03084 is API SN (and, I would argue, superior).

SN Current Introduced in October 2010, designed to provide improved high temperature deposit protection for pistons, more stringent sludge control, and seal compatibility. API SN with Resource Conserving matches ILSAC GF-5 by combining API SN performance with improved fuel economy, turbocharger protection, emission control system compatibility, and protection of engines operating on ethanol-containing fuels up to E85.
SM Current For 2010 and older automotive engines.
SL Current For 2004 and older automotive engines.
SJ Current For 2001 and older automotive engines.

For a relatively current BMW, I would look in the owner’s manual for the car and see exactly what BMW expected for the vehicle itself (which will depend on the year as much as anything else) and then pick that or better/newer specification.

[nlastovi]

The OP didn't note that actual year/model of the vehicle in question. However,aAssuming E70/E71 (X5M/X6M) with S63B44O0 engine. The BMW Operating Fluids January 2013 Technical Service paper:

— For BMW gasoline engines with two valves per cylinder, all reputable multiple grade engine oils* which meet or exceed the API classification of SH. (Combination with diesel oil specifications CD or CE quality classifications are also permitted, e.g. SH/CE etc.) For BMW gasoline engines with four valves per cylinder, only reputable multiple grade engine oils* which meet or exceed the API classification of SH. (Combination with diesel oil specifications CD or CE quality classifications are also permitted, e.g. SH/CE etc.)
…
The BMW branded oil : SAE 5W-30 Part No. 07 51 0 017 866 BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil

Based on this, I believe that a correct oil would be a LL01 5w30 SH or later.

[9vapors]

This is what the dealer puts in mine... 2012 X5M

[BoostedNYC]

I would use 5w-40 or 5w-50 IMHO. The dealer suggests you use 5w-30 but that oil is too "thin" if you will as these engines produce a lot of heat. When running 40 or 50 weight oil it will reduce the stress on your pistons and rods.

[e92BMW///M3]

I was told by a BMW dealer I stopped at while on a ~5 hour trip that the X5M switched to 0W-30 starting in 2017. I had never heard that before and thought it was the 5W-30, but I bought a quart of each in case I needed to add (since my car was 1 notch above needing oil). Has anyone heard of 0W-30?

[nlastovi]

Originally Posted by e92BMW///M3

Has anyone heard of 0W-30?

In general terms, the two digits of the oil viscosity (e.g. 0 and 30) relate to how thick the oil is when it is cold and when it is hot.

0 (vs 5 or 10) can be an advantage in that it flows easier when cooler (e.g. when the engine is starting).

At the hot end, ideally we would like an oil that is as thin as practical while still providing the film needed between moving parts. From a performance and economy stand point, thin is better because it provides less "friction" and is easier to pump and move around the engine.

Synthetics appear to make it easier to craft and tailor oils to target viscosity and thus allow oils like 0w30 (or 5w40 or whatever).

[e92BMW///M3]

Originally Posted by nlastovi

In general terms, the two digits of the oil viscosity (e.g. 0 and 30) relate to how thick the oil is when it is cold and when it is hot.

0 (vs 5 or 10) can be an advantage in that it flows easier when cooler (e.g. when the engine is starting).

At the hot end, ideally we would like an oil that is as thin as practical while still providing the film needed between moving parts. From a performance and economy stand point, thin is better because it provides less "friction" and is easier to pump and move around the engine.

Synthetics appear to make it easier to craft and tailor oils to target viscosity and thus allow oils like 0w30 (or 5w40 or whatever).

Thanks for quick reply, I should have specified if anyone had heard of BMW switching the suggested oil for the e70 X5M to 0w-30, or has annoying actually run it?

[pdX5M]

I'm running Liqui Moly Molygen 5w-40 since I picked my M up. Previous dealership was using either 0w-30 or 5w-30 but I wanted a little more protection on the hot end of things. Car came from a colder climate as well near Chicago and I'm in Portland and it doesn't get that cold here.

[Bilbofraggins]

One is High Temp/High Shear (HTHS) rated...the other isn't...guess which one you need...

A3/B4....LL01/04...

I wouldn't put 0W in....

I also use LL04...

Not obsolete...and avail around here in 5/30 and 40

And down under (US) https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG

[yco]

in short, A3/B4 means highest quality of oil you can buy from market.. it comes the refinement process of petrol.. during these refinement processes A3/B4 is the least amount oil they can get with better ingredients perfect for performance engines.. like Castrol Edge Supercar, and old Castrol TWS..

and above all.. says european formula.. thats the moment you can understand its better..

+ i dont agree with others for using 0w in California.. there is no winter there almost.. 0w is like a cold beer in a hot day for X5-6M engines.. a thicker layer of oil on start up, unless weather is not freezing is better..

[cncmastr]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

I prefer to use Castrol Edge 0W-40

It is BMW approved European Formula

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1

That's what I use. I like LL01 and A3/B4

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

One is High Temp/High Shear (HTHS) rated...the other isn't...guess which one you need...

A3/B4....LL01/04...

I wouldn't put 0W in....

I also use LL04...

Not obsolete...and avail around here in 5/30 and 40

And down under (US) https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG

Are your sure about LL04? I thought it was for diesels.

[cncmastr]

Originally Posted by X5 MAN

I prefer to use Castrol Edge 0W-40

It is BMW approved European Formula

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...UTF8&psc=1

That's what I use. I like LL01 and A3/B4

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

One is High Temp/High Shear (HTHS) rated...the other isn't...guess which one you need...

A3/B4....LL01/04...

I wouldn't put 0W in....

I also use LL04...

Not obsolete...and avail around here in 5/30 and 40

And down under (US) https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037.../dp/B0161A4CKG

Are your sure about LL04? I thought it was for diesels.

[Dawgz]

Liquimoly 5w40 high tech or nada

[pearlpower]

I only run the LL-01 oil in my BMWs. It is a little more, but the difference is negligible over thousands of miles. I came across this thread sometime ago, good read.

https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forum...Number=2636200