[TommyK154]

I'm just approaching 1200mi on my 2024 M40i and I'm doing research on what oil to get. I'm conflicted in several places. I realize bob is the oil guy might be a better place to ask but my account is pending approval and wanted to get this community's input.

I'll also point out that I live in Texas where the whole summer was 100F, so I think I'm looking for a 0/5-30W instead of the recommended 0-20W.

For one, I have a few mechanic friends, one of which works at Mercedes but drives BMWs personally, told me I should consider doing 2 break in oil changes. One now, using break-in oil, and then change again to normal oil in another ~1000. Considering I already drove nearly 1200mi, I feel like it might be too late for break-in oil? And on top of that I haven't been able to find LL01/LL04 break-in oil, but maybe that is just something that doesn't/can't exist. (I also don't want to do yet another oil change in 1000 mi :P ).

My next consideration for oil, is something I found on this forum, which is Castrol MAGNATEC Stop-Start 5W-30. I'm particularly interested in that this oil called out Stop-Start tech. Unfortunately, the Castrol website I linked doesn't make it clear about the LL01/04 ratings, but if you look up these oils on ebay and check a picture of the back, you can see it includes include an LL04 rating (not sure how long the image link on this ebay listing will be valid for):



My next consideration is some of these kits off ECS tuning: BMW Brand Oil or LiquiMoly 5-30W kit for convenience of having everything I need in a kit. (I realize there are also some kits of FCP Euro - I haven't checked them all, but I presume they're mostly the same)

So finally to the main point/question:
Should I get break-in specific oil at this point,

OR should I get the Castrol/stop-start specific oil that is LL01/04 (is the stop-start marketing just snake oil?)

OR get one of these kits off ECS/FCP, as I presume these have been tested by the community long enough to be sold in the kit (big assumption)?

[AZHusky]

Kinda odd to me that your friend is recommending a break in oil since you’re already past break in period. Not sure how that’s gonna help now.

[peelerec]

I run 5W-40 Motul for daily and track use. Recommended to me per my Indy shop who has been a CCA Chief Instructor and Racing for 40 years. I’ll send over my Blackstone lab report once I find it in my photos.

[xnick101]

I use liqui moly 5w-30 and it's been great. I've sent my oil to Blackstone labs for testing and they said everything is looking VERY good. But the break in is the first 300-500 miles. 1200 is beyond break in period so no reason to do that now.

[totalone]

Originally Posted by peelerec

I run 5W-40 Motul for daily and track use. Recommended to me per my Indy shop who has been a CCA Chief Instructor and Racing for 40 years. I’ll send over my Blackstone lab report once I find it in my photos.

would you use 0-20 on track? for example if I go to track like one a month.

[xnick101]

Originally Posted by totalone

would you use 0-20 on track? for example if I go to track like one a month.

No. Way too thin for track use. 5w-30 minimum.

[JimmyJazz]

I don’t think Castrol has an approved oil for current BMW’s. That could all be marketing agreements though.

[totalone]

Originally Posted by xnick101

No. Way too thin for track use. 5w-30 minimum.

Do you change oil before and after track session?

[xnick101]

Originally Posted by totalone

Do you change oil before and after track session?

Yes to both.

[F32Fleet]

LL04
Shell Euro L 5w30
Mobil 1 ESP 5w30

LL01
Mobil 1 0w40 FS
Castrol 0w30
Shell Euro 5w40

These can be easily found at retail stores.

There's plenty of options online.
Motul, Pentosin, LiquiMoly, Ravenol, Redline, Amsoil, etc

BMW dealers may also sell LL01/LL04