[angelforce]

Hi Family F34. I have got recently my 320i GT F34 LCI with a b48b20.

So far I have extensively read posts here about oil, plus in other forums like in the Bobistheoilguy.

I still do not have a conclusion on the best oil so far. Motul? Liquimoly? Shell Helix? Etc
There are so many opinions, so many things to consider, so many different applications, or driving style, or regions, so instead of discussing ultra further (again) the same thing, let’s us survey what oil and maybe additive you use nowadays.

So to organize:

Would mind to tell?:

What is the engine in your GT:
Mileage:
Oil:
Additive:
Other things to consider? (Filter brand, mods, etc)
Brief why this oil?:

[KCee]

I have a 2016 328xi GT with N26 engine. Purchased used in 2019 with about 40K miles; it just turned 100K miles with (knock on wood) no real issues.

I do my own oil changes (around 5K miles) and I currently buy the oil change kit from FCP Euro with Molygen and Mann filter. I have used Ceratec as well. I opted for Molygen after member Billfitz pointed out how the fluorescent property could help spot a leak and I've heard BMWs tend to leak.

Prior to using Molygen I used other full synthetics for a few changes without issue. My gas mileage did improve after switching to Molygen and using Ceratec, but it could have been new tires or something else that contributed to the mpg gain.

[Billfitz]

I used Molygen for my first two changes doing my own, with Ceratec. Mileage went up by 2MPG. Since then I've used Castrol Edge or Mobil 1 ESP, whichever was on sale. I'll use Molygen again if the price is competitive. Mileage remained the same, so it would seem the Ceratec worked as advertised. Mann or Mahle OEM filters.

[angelforce]

What viscosity?
5w40?

[Billfitz]

5w-30. There are very few situations that call for 5w-40 with modern lubricants.

[angelforce]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

5w-30. There are very few situations that call for 5w-40 with modern lubricants.

Thank you for the info.

I talked to a specialist (as they say they are) from Liqui Moly customer service (which are very helpful and responsive by the way) and they said they recomend 5w40

Actually they sent me a protocol that they would recommend as someone who never used they products

1- engine flush plus. Add it before the next oil change. Put it and leave for 10-15 min with the engine running in neutral then change the oil
2. Then use molygen 5w40
3. DFI Cleaner each 5000 kms
4. Ceratec each 50000 kms

Quite pricey for the whole preventive protocol. But lot of promises of great results.

[Billfitz]

They're working from a script. They recommend 5w-40 because it has BMW Longlife-01 spec, 5w-30 does not, so they can't recommend it. If anything 5w-30 is better, as it has the latest API SP, ILSAC GF-6A specs. I'd be inclined to use 5w-40 in very hot climates, but not otherwise. Take into consideration this is all in my opinion. Ask ten people what their opinion is about oil and you'll get twelve answers.

[Mr.Smartepants]

Originally Posted by angelforce

Hi Family F34. I have got recently my 320i GT F34 LCI with a b48b20.

I have a 2017 F34, same exact specs as yours.

What is the engine in you GT: B48B20
Mileage:50k
Oil: Castrol Magnatec 5w30
Additive: None
Other things to consider? (Filter brand, mods, etc) Mahle oil filter.
Brief why this oil?:

For oil, I use this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01H3UKXDS/
It is 5w30 and has the ACEA A3/B4 rating which BMW recommends.
For oil filter, I use Mahle. The OEM BMW filters have a design flaw where one of the end caps can unseat from the internal cage housing and allow the paper filter to spin and collapse causing engine failure. It's a known fault in both BMW and Toyota (which uses the B48/B58 engines). There's a few videos on YT which document the problem.

[angelforce]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

They're working from a script. They recommend 5w-40 because it has BMW Longlife-01 spec, 5w-30 does not, so they can't recommend it. If anything 5w-30 is better, as it has the latest API SP, ILSAC GF-6A specs. I'd be inclined to use 5w-40 in very hot climates, but not otherwise. Take into consideration this is all in my opinion. Ask ten people what their opinion is about oil and you'll get twelve answers.

Hahaha that is true: “ask 10 people, get 12 opinions”

For the climates I live in São Paulo, Brazil. It’s tropical, so I can get 10ºC or less in a strong winter, and also around 35°C in the peak of summer or during some random hot weeks.

Would you consider this best fit for 5w40 then? Or still 5w30 goes better in your opinion?

[angelforce]

Originally Posted by Mr.Smartepants

I have a 2017 F34, same exact specs as yours.

What is the engine in you GT: B48B20
Mileage:50k
Oil: Castrol Magnatec 5w30
Additive: None
Other things to consider? (Filter brand, mods, etc) Mahle oil filter.
Brief why this oil?:

For oil, I use this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01H3UKXDS/
It is 5w30 and has the ACEA A3/B4 rating which BMW recommends.
For oil filter, I use Mahle. The OEM BMW filters have a design flaw where one of the end caps can unseat from the internal cage housing and allow the paper filter to spin and collapse causing engine failure. It's a known fault in both BMW and Toyota (which uses the B48/B58 engines). There's a few videos on YT which document the problem.

Mine is 2017 as well

Thank you for that

I did not know this issue with the OEM filter.

I’ll take this into consideration

For the oil, since you are using the Castrol magnatec, this is why you don’t add additive I assume, right? Or is there more to that to why do not pour some extra juice to the mix?

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by angelforce

For the climates I live in São Paulo, Brazil. It’s tropical, so I can get 10ºC or less in a strong winter, and also around 35°C in the peak of summer or during some random hot weeks.

I had to convert to F. If the coldest you get is 10C/50F you don't even need 5w, 10w would be fine. 35C/95F isn't really hot, so 30 would be OK, but 40 wouldn't be too heavy either. Flip a coin.

Ceratec isn't a traditional additive. It contains micro ceramic particles that fill micro fissures present in the metal parts of the engine, acting like tiny bearings that reduce metal to metal contact. According to the descriptions Castrol Magnatec is similar, but I don't know if it uses micro ceramic particles or something else.

[Mr.Smartepants]

Originally Posted by angelforce

For the oil, since you are using the Castrol magnatec, this is why you don’t add additive I assume, right? Or is there more to that to why do not pour some extra juice to the mix?

I just don't feel the additives actually provide any benefits. The oil alone is sufficient as long as you change it regularly and NOT at the extended mileage.

[WhiteCollarMetalHead]

What is the engine in you GT: 2015 N55
Mileage: 49,600
Oil: Liqui Molly 5W40 Leichtlauf High Tech Engine Oil
Additive: None
Other things to consider? OEM Filter always, purchased with 23k miles (off lease) it had first (2) oil changes done at BMW intervals. I started changing it at 6,500mi / 6mo intervals of which I always hit time before millage. BM3 Stg 1 Tune / Intake / Charge Pipe / New OEM Plugs @ ~40k Miles EDIT: I have used LM DIjectron but not with any regularity.
Brief why this oil? FCP Euro has it and I just like the brand.

[wilbur_the_goose]

Use the viscosity stated in the owner's manual.

[mikelo_74]

What is the engine in your GT: 325d N47
Mileage: 248.000km (+-154.000 mi)
Oil: Ravenol HLS 5W30
Additive: Ceratec
Other things to consider? (Filter brand, mods, etc): Air filter K&N, Stage1 270hp
Brief why this oil?: Good quality complying with BMW regulations