What Oil should I put in my 2008 BMW 320 M-Sport?

Spooter · 20 Mar 2017 at 17:44

Hi all,

I'm going to change the oil in my motor. I've ordered the replacement filter and just need the oil. I've read about using decent oil in BMW's (My first one). It's done 109,000 and I'm keen to keep it running well.

I've change the Pollen Filter and Air Filter in the last few weeks.

I've read about BMW's sometimes having a stiff gear change in 1st when the oil is bad/cheap when cold. I wonder if I'm getting this a little.

Thanks for the advice.

chaparral · 20 Mar 2017 at 19:11

Spooter said:
I've read about BMW's sometimes having a stiff gear change in 1st when the oil is bad/cheap when cold. I wonder if I'm getting this a little.

Are you asking which gearbox oil to use or which engine oil to use ? :confused:

As the engine oil will not affect the gear changes as the gearbox has it own completely separate oil..

Gaygle · 20 Mar 2017 at 21:02

Either a 0w30, 5w30 or 5w40 LL01 or LL04 approved engine oil.

I wouldn't bother changing the gearbox oil unless you're having problems.

DannyW · 21 Mar 2017 at 06:27

I know what you mean about it been hard to get into 1st on cold mornings I've had this on a few older cars and changing the gearbox oil did help for me

Spooter · 21 Mar 2017 at 16:22

Yes sorry I meant engine oil.

I was kind of typing out loud while thinking about the gearbox issue.

Thanks for the replies.

Spooter · 25 Apr 2017 at 08:10

Any reason why this oil wouldn't be ok for my car?

Castrol Magnatec 5W30 C3 Oil 4 Litre

Its ACEA A3 which the handbook recommends.

hornetstinger · 25 Apr 2017 at 08:11

Use the filter to determine what oil you need

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-fluids/engine-oil

[TW]Fox · 25 Apr 2017 at 08:31

Spooter said:
Any reason why this oil wouldn't be ok for my car?

Castrol Magnatec 5W30 C3 Oil 4 Litre

Its ACEA A3 which the handbook recommends.

It's not LL01 or LL04, read the handbook again

Spooter · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:10

[TW]Fox said:
It's not LL01 or LL04, read the handbook again

It says

BMW LL-98 LL-01

Is that not ok?

Gaygle · 25 Apr 2017 at 18:45

[TW]Fox said:
It's not LL01 or LL04, read the handbook again

The 5w30 fully synthetic is LL01 approved.

Spooter said:
It says

BMW LL-98 LL-01

Is that not ok?

Yes, it's fine. Whatever you do though, don't buy oil from Halfords.

You can get 5 litres of Shell Ultra Helix 5w40 which is a good LL01 approved oil from carparts4less for about £20.50 or 4l Magnatec for £23 delivered. I'd get the Shell oil personally, as you need 4.25 litres for your engine, and you'll have a bit left over for top ups.

Spooter · 26 Apr 2017 at 08:08

Thanks Gaygle. Very helpful. Ill go with that.

D3K · 26 Apr 2017 at 08:11

Go into a garage, pick up a branded bottle (I forget which one) and there will be an SMS number on the side where you can send your registration and they'll reply with the oil you need.

Diagro · 26 Apr 2017 at 09:50

I just buy what ever Amazon says is ok lol.
Cheaper and prime delivery woo

Simon · 26 Apr 2017 at 10:23

The important spec is ensuring the oil has BMW LL04 or LL01. Either spec is fine for that engine. Assume it is ok for oil consumption?

5W-40 will be cheapest if price is your focus.

Simon · 26 Apr 2017 at 10:24

[TW]Fox said:
It's not LL01 or LL04, read the handbook again

It is LL04. Don't trust the text box on halfords

Scythe · 26 Apr 2017 at 17:05

If your after a specific spec, look up on Opie Oils. They're not always the cheapest but it'll tell you the variants that will conform with the BMW specification for your car.

For LL01 / LL04 see this link: http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-682-bmw-specific-engine-oil.aspx

Spooter · 27 Apr 2017 at 20:47

Thanks for the replies all. I managed to change the oil and filter today. Took longer than the youtube vids I watched though! Couple hours I guess (With a trip to the shop).

Problem 1 - Low car with run flats so no jack included. Managed to find a safe way using blocks to get just enough hight to get under and drain the old oil.

Problem 2 - I didn't have a tool with enough grip, leverage to undo the oil filter top. I quick trip to the local car components shop and I was able to remove it.

The old filter looked in bad condition and oil was very black, the filter was also hard to remove from the cap. I've had the car 2 years and done 12,000 ish miles.

After the posts here and reading bimmer forum etc I just went with Halfords own 5w-30 LL04.

Feeling happy though as I've done the spark plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter in the last few months and the car is doing well.

Car also washed and waxed!