Recommended oil for 650i

[SSpade19]

According to the manual, the 650i can take almost all the oils out there. Is there any recommeded oil for a driver in Southern California or what are the pros and cons with going with a specific oil.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by SSpade19

According to the manual, the 650i can take almost all the oils out there. Is there any recommeded oil for a driver in Southern California or what are the pros and cons with going with a specific oil.

In the owners manual...I see 4 recommendations for oil viscosity & 2 oil types (must meet BMW LL-01 or BMW LL-01FE:

1. 0W-30
2. 0W-40
3. 5W-30
4. 5W-40

[Opie55]

I use Castrol 5W-40 because it meets LL-01 (the label on the back will say if it does) and is easy to find here in auto parts stores.

[Opie55]

Originally Posted by SSpade19

According to the manual, the 650i can take almost all the oils out there. Is there any recommended oil for a driver in Southern California or what are the pros and cons with going with a specific oil.

On some forums the question of the pros and cons of different oils quickly becomes so detailed that it soon surpasses almost anyone's life-is-too-short threshold. And much of it is nonsense. Lots of people will say things like "I'm really happy with Liquid Moly" or "my car runs really well on" such and such oil. Please. Like if I snuck into their garage overnight and swapped their oil to Castrol or some other brand they would say "my car feels different today." Just get a good oil that meets LL-01 or the newer spec that you can easily find and move on with your life. And even the LL-01 spec is questionable, but I do it anyway. For example, Mobil 1 European blend meets the Mercedes spec, but not BMW. So if I put Mobil 1 in my car what exactly is going to happen? Nothing, of course. Just don't use pancake syrup or goat's milk and you'll be fine.

Edit: I see that some Mobil 1 is now on the approved list based on Q's post above. It did not used to be, which probably reinforces my point rather than refutes it.

[Alpine650]

Based on BMW dropping Castrol for Shell and then going back to Castrol it appears to be about the almighty $. As the approved list above shows, you can use just about any.

[Derekz4]

While not a answer to your question, but a comment on the would you really know the difference?
I truly noticed a difference when I started using this oil in my Mazda.

[SSpade19]

Looks like this should fit. Has bmw ll-01 spec as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-03037...8-3&th=1&psc=1

[Qsilver7]

Just an FYI...to show its not difficult to find oil...your local Walmart probably sells the same as the above. And if not this brand, they sell some of the brands listed on the TIS "approved oil brands":

[Opie55]

My Walmart used to sell that 5W-30 Castrol then stopped stocking it. Maybe others in town have it. So for now I use 5W-40 I can get at O'Reilly's.

[Qsilver7]

Depending on the cost...since Castrol Edge 5W-30 is available on WallyWorlds website...you could probably order it online and select pickup at your local store so that you don't have to pay additional shipping. But if O'Reillys is convenient and stocks it regularly...continue on since it works.

[SSpade19]

Asked auto shop guy and the recommended viscosity in Socal is 5w30 or 5w40. 40 provides best protection (thickest oil) but may cause a slight supposedly negligee loss in fuel economy compared to 30.

[Kolianovskyi]

I do oil service at dealership and they use 0w-30. Texas. But I do it every 4000 mi.