Which oil to use?

Soldato
Joined
8 Mar 2005
Posts
9,173
I've booked my car into BMW for a oil service and want to buy my own oil, as it'll cost £230 if they supply the oil or £117 if I bring my own.

I've called up 3 BMW dealers and they have all recommended different oils for my car. I'm now extremely confused as to which oil I should buy :confused:

Dealer 1 recommends - Castrol Edge 0W-30
Dealer 2 recommends - Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 or Castrol LL04 SLX 0W-30 - said Castrol Edge is not recommended
Dealer 3 recommends - Any 5W-30 or 0W-30 normal Castrol will be fine - no need for Castrol Edge

The manual says BMW recommends Castrol, Longlife-04.
Castrol website recommends Castrol Edge 5W-30.

I have a 2007 118d M Sport. Please just tell me which oil to buy!!!!
 
Castrol Edge is the consumer product, Castrol SLX is the trade product. Thats the difference - a dealer will fill your car with SLX, Halfords will sell you the same stuff in a bottle with 'Edge' on it instead.

If you are buying a bottle for yourself, go for the Edge, 5w30 sounds fine and is LL04 approved. Dealer 2 and 3 are wrong.
 
Check out opieoils.co.uk.

I buy my oil from them at very good prices. Many of the car forums use them too.

The have a useful tool which allows you to search for the oil based on your car model.

They recommend: Castrol EDGE 5W-30 fully synthetic engine oil
 
Don't BMW dealers have a proper reference system or do they just talk rubbish and what the recommend depends on which way the wind is blowing and what colour tie the manager is wearing?
 
Don't BMW dealers have a proper reference system or do they just talk rubbish and what the recommend depends on which way the wind is blowing and what colour tie the manager is wearing?

The issue is that some people will check the system, assume 'SLX Longtec II' is 'just normal Castrol' and advise against Edge as a result.
 
I think whats more worrying, is the potential for customers to accept the first answer the dealer gives them without checking. At least the OP asked 3 different dealers, I bet most people wouldn't even think of it.

My local main dealers aren't too bad, but gone are the days when I would believe everyword they said.
 
Halfords have a special offer on 5-30w edge at the moment, got a 4ltr tub for £36.99
20% off Castrol offer ended yesterday I think. I remember looking at oils over the weekend and they still had 20%, but checked today and the 20% offer is only on Mobil now :(

I will have a look in ASDA tonight, thanks Felix!

So which oil am I looking for again? Castrol Edge 0W30, or 5W30?? :o
 
I think whats more worrying, is the potential for customers to accept the first answer the dealer gives them without checking. At least the OP asked 3 different dealers, I bet most people wouldn't even think of it.

My local main dealers aren't too bad, but gone are the days when I would believe everyword they said.

The thing is though any of the oils in the OP would be fine, it's not like they've recommended a mineral oil or something. ;)
 
Purchased my oil on Sunday, looks like i got it just in time, they now have a 5w30 + Swarfega offer on for £40.
I can't find this, can only find the £45.99 oil + free Swarfega worth £6.99?

If ASDA are still doing £10 a litre (assuming 4L is not avail?), would it look funny if I turn up to BMW with 6 bottles :D
 
oilcp.jpg
 
Is this the done thing now? Do they charge corkage?:D

Seriously though, mine is due a service - oil change and inspection, £253 inc labour and materials.

Should I be bringing my own oil?
 
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