Oil spec for E46 325ti

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 15:30

Only recently purchased and am about to get to get it serviced at our local indy.

Am I right in thinking any fully synthetic LL04 oil is okay?

Been looking at Castrol Edge 5w30. Problem being it seems to come in 4L. I'm under the impression the car takes 4.25L of oil...

Any other recommendations?

neverender · 19 Nov 2013 at 15:37

My 325ti munches oil (it gets ragged about nearly every day and probably has a CCV), but Castrol Edge definitely seems to hold up the best from my (limited) experience.
5w30, Fully Synthetic.

rodenal · 19 Nov 2013 at 15:42

I'd expect you to need closer to 6/7 Litres so I'd check that figure but yes edge is fine

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 15:53

Is there any benefit using Edge Professional?

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 16:03

rodenal said:
I'd expect you to need closer to 6/7 Litres so I'd check that figure but yes edge is fine

I think you're right... dunno where I got the 4.25L from!

pepsilol · 19 Nov 2013 at 16:23

Dexos2 that badboy!

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2013 at 16:29

inogen said:
Is there any benefit using Edge Professional?

That's just the trade version IIRC.

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 16:51

pepsilol said:
Dexos2 that badboy!

Mobil Super 3000?

pepsilol · 19 Nov 2013 at 16:54

No this stuff

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5w-30-GEN...le_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&hash=item4178433a85

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 17:08

pepsilol said:
No this stuff

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5w-30-GEN...le_Oils_Lubricants_Fluids&hash=item4178433a85

Well that's cheap enough!

Is it better than the Edge?

acemastr · 19 Nov 2013 at 17:13

I use Total 5w 30, car barely uses any

[TW]Fox · 19 Nov 2013 at 17:31

inogen said:
Is it better than the Edge?

No, it's not even BMW approved, it simply claims to 'meet the specs'.

inogen · 19 Nov 2013 at 17:52

[TW]Fox;25337108 said:
No, it's not even BMW approved, it simply claims to 'meet the specs'.

I spoke to the local BMW dealer today about it, they told me they only recommend Shell LL04 5w30. Which I can't even find. I asked them about their own BMW 5w03 and they just kept on saying we recommend the Shell, but that any LL04 5w03 oil would be fine to use.

I did watch a youtobe comparison between Edge and the BMW 5w30 earlier on. Does look like Edge is the better oil out of those two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Tc-YkJRxk

Bit of a minefield. Think I'll stick with the Edge... There's some on ebay for £27 delivered.

pepsilol · 19 Nov 2013 at 18:49

[TW]Fox;25337108 said:
No, it's not even BMW approved, it simply claims to 'meet the specs'.

9/10 on oil scaremongering, would read again.

Just going to pop down to the "GM" oil factory, brb

Blackhawk47 · 19 Nov 2013 at 19:03

Make sure you put 5l oil into it...just to make sure.

MarkDavis · 20 Nov 2013 at 00:04

[TW]Fox;25337108 said:
No, it's not even BMW approved, it simply claims to 'meet the specs'.

That's all you need.

Manufacturer approval is nothing more than money and mutual commercial back scratch.

inogen · 20 Nov 2013 at 00:24

The GM Dexos2 stuff does say BMW on the image.

To be fair though, the Dexos thing in itself is a GM invention. Is it any better than the Castrol. And who produces it?