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      05-13-2021, 02:18 AM   #1
TheHunterHofman
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What oil should I use for my N55 M2?

Hi all,

My M2 LCI (N55) now has around 8000 miles on it and I'm planning to change the oil soon. The car started life out with BMW Twin Power Turbo 0w30 and continued to do so, after its first break-in service.

Fast forward to today: should I stick to this oil, or should I get a different one? The car never gets tracked, I plan to do oil changes each 5000 miles, the car is as good as stock (cold-air intake, boost- and chargepipe and turbo inlet pipe) and I live in a normal European climate.

Furthermore, I do not care about fuel saving oil, I just want the best protection and BMW approved oil, with all the right additives. Price is not an issue as well.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts, thank you.
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      05-13-2021, 08:17 AM   #2
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Go regular LL01 or LL04 oil. You are in Europe and you have access to better oils actually. You can go LL04 too as fuel in EU is probably of the best quality in the world.
I would go this:
https://www.shell-livedocs.com/data/...123454fbda.pdf

https://d23zpyj32c5wn3.cloudfront.ne...pdf?1492017850
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      05-14-2021, 10:04 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edycol View Post
Go regular LL01 or LL04 oil. You are in Europe and you have access to better oils actually. You can go LL04 too as fuel in EU is probably of the best quality in the world.
I would go this:
https://www.shell-livedocs.com/data/...123454fbda.pdf

https://d23zpyj32c5wn3.cloudfront.ne...pdf?1492017850
Many thanks for the reply! This is the one I bought, a LL04 5w30 oil:

https://www.winparts.nl/productpage/...41069.html?v=i This is the one I bought
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      05-14-2021, 11:06 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterHofman View Post
Many thanks for the reply! This is the one I bought, a LL04 5w30 oil:

https://www.winparts.nl/productpage/...41069.html?v=i This is the one I bought
It is good oil. But I prefer those two as Motul has some Esters, and Shell is the latest trick as it has BMW LL19 approval.
This Castrol is a bit above average oil, but IMO, not in line with those two. Now, take into consideration this is splitting hairs and your engine won't self-destruct
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      05-16-2021, 03:54 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by edycol View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterHofman View Post
Many thanks for the reply! This is the one I bought, a LL04 5w30 oil:

https://www.winparts.nl/productpage/...41069.html?v=i This is the one I bought
It is good oil. But I prefer those two as Motul has some Esters, and Shell is the latest trick as it has BMW LL19 approval.
This Castrol is a bit above average oil, but IMO, not in line with those two. Now, take into consideration this is splitting hairs and your engine won't self-destruct
Quote:
Originally Posted by edycol View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterHofman View Post
Many thanks for the reply! This is the one I bought, a LL04 5w30 oil:

https://www.winparts.nl/productpage/...41069.html?v=i This is the one I bought
It is good oil. But I prefer those two as Motul has some Esters, and Shell is the latest trick as it has BMW LL19 approval.
This Castrol is a bit above average oil, but IMO, not in line with those two. Now, take into consideration this is splitting hairs and your engine won't self-destruct
Thank you for this. I read that the LL19 is basically an improved LL04. Should I then go for that one? How come Castrol doesn't have an LL19 oil for sale currently? I thought BMW's official oil supplier is Castrol at the moment.
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      05-16-2021, 10:18 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HunterHofman View Post
Thank you for this. I read that the LL19 is basically an improved LL04. Should I then go for that one? How come Castrol doesn't have an LL19 oil for sale currently? I thought BMW's official oil supplier is Castrol at the moment.
LL19 is the latest thing. It just came out. It takes a year usually for manufacturers to reblend, package, change packaging etc.
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      09-09-2021, 04:13 PM   #7
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I just noticed that FCP Euro besides Liqui Moly only carries 5W30 Pento High Performance Engine Oil

Approvals

ACEA A3/B3
ACEA A3/B4
API SL/CF
VW 502.00
VW 505.00
BMW LL-01
MB 229.5
GM-LL-B-025

Any thoughts on how this would compare to Pennzoil euro platinum?
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      09-09-2021, 09:12 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tenkies View Post
I just noticed that FCP Euro besides Liqui Moly only carries 5W30 Pento High Performance Engine Oil

Approvals

ACEA A3/B3
ACEA A3/B4
API SL/CF
VW 502.00
VW 505.00
BMW LL-01
MB 229.5
GM-LL-B-025

Any thoughts on how this would compare to Pennzoil euro platinum?
Pennzoil Platinum Euro is latest technological step. It utilizes GTL (Gas to Liquid) base stocks.
Pentosin is IMO really good oil. It is better than Liqui Moly. It is more traditional oil utilizing high quality Group III and IV base stocks. It is owned by Fuchs now, largest German industrial lubricant manufacturer.
If you going FCP bcs. free oil changes, go Pentosin over Liqui Moly.
If you want beat performing oil for N55 and out of warranty go Castrol 0W40 or Mobil1 0W40FS or if still under warranty: Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2 or Pennzoil Platinum Euro.
Another great oil is Valvoline 5W40 European Vehicle.
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      01-08-2022, 06:12 AM   #9
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Hi Hunter,

Enjoy your youtube vids.

I just ordered 20liters of Ravenol VST 5w40 which is LL01 Approved. Reasonably priced at 9€ / Liter.

Shell HELIX 5w40 is even better priced, also LL01. (I live in sweden, so i opted for the ravenol which has a lower pour point of -51C)

Difficult to ask on forums since many here reside in the US. So seems to be different specs, labels and even manufactures recommendations for different markets.
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      01-08-2022, 08:53 AM   #10
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A little late to the party, but this is what was recommended to me.

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40.
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      01-11-2022, 03:00 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
A little late to the party, but this is what was recommended to me.

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40.
He's in Europe so helix is way better priced and essentially the same oil.
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      01-11-2022, 03:54 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87source View Post
He's in Europe so helix is way better priced and essentially the same oil.
I never look closely enough at where someone is from. I thought you were from Cali for the longest time
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      01-11-2022, 04:01 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
I never look closely enough at where someone is from. I thought you were from Cali for the longest time




But in the US quaker state euro 5w40 (same thing as PPE) is alot cheaper and easier to find so you might want to switch to that.
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      01-11-2022, 07:58 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87source View Post




But in the US quaker state euro 5w40 (same thing as PPE) is alot cheaper and easier to find so you might want to switch to that.
Ah, same as the Pennzoil Platinum Euro? Thanks for the tip!
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      01-11-2022, 08:05 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ///MPhatic View Post
Ah, same as the Pennzoil Platinum Euro? Thanks for the tip!
Yup, shell owns both Pennzoil and Quaker state (under SOPUS) so those oils (Pennzoil platinum euro 5w40 and Quaker state euro 5w40 is a relabeled helix ultra from shell).
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      01-23-2022, 09:31 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F87source View Post
Yup, shell owns both Pennzoil and Quaker state (under SOPUS) so those oils (Pennzoil platinum euro 5w40 and Quaker state euro 5w40 is a relabeled helix ultra from shell).
So would this Shell (here in Australia) be the same as the Pennzoil euro?

https://www.shell.com.au/motorists/o...tra-5w-40.html

I've been using Redline ester-based High Performance 5w-30 & 40, changing every 6-8K km. I do around 12 tracks days a year plus a few trips to country/mountain roads where we can be going full-on for 70km stints. The Redline is harder to source & cost isn't a concern if it's better as I'm keeping the car forever
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      01-23-2022, 10:31 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David.m View Post
So would this Shell (here in Australia) be the same as the Pennzoil euro?

https://www.shell.com.au/motorists/o...tra-5w-40.html

I've been using Redline ester-based High Performance 5w-30 & 40, changing every 6-8K km. I do around 12 tracks days a year plus a few trips to country/mountain roads where we can be going full-on for 70km stints. The Redline is harder to source & cost isn't a concern if it's better as I'm keeping the car forever
Yup that's the oil, I believe PPE 5w40 is a derivative of shell helix ultra so if anything the shell product might even be slightly better.

If you track that much make sure your OCI is a but lower, take a used oil analysis to make sure there isn't too much degredation on the oil after track days so you don't run old oil on the street for too long. Also if you're pushing pretty hard on track maybe use some motul sport oil or 300v just for the track, again a UOA will tell you more. But that will depend, I personally think you should be ok with street oil if you're not extremely heavily modified - again a used oil analysis will tell you more.
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