Which engine oil to use?

[irwaniz8816]

Hi sifus as I am about to do my 1st oil change (God knows what was previously in this car as I bought it 2nd hand) was juz wondering for my e90 which is the preferable engine oil.....and any feedback on the original bmw engine oil vs synthium 3000...thanksView attachment 16002 vs View attachment 16003

 

[Schwepps]

If you're really fussy about keeping within spec, the Petronas Syntium has to be 3000 LL-01 which is not available retail. Only available at the authorised BMW dealers and if you buy topup bottles from them in BMW packaging, it's 3000 LL-01 inside. The BMW bottle you showed is LL-04, so it's probably from overseas: LL-04 is only required in Europe to comply with emission laws.

There have been many lengthy threads on engine oils. Do a search and you'll get all the answers.

 

[astroboy]

I very fussy, so I don't use Syntium despite the fact that Petronas' refinery is the most advance in the country..

err... does Fully Synthetic oil need to use petroleum refinery? Its suppose to be product of chemical synthesis and all u need is a lab to do it.. right?!

Hate this oil subject! No matter how careful u r, still may end up with the wrong oil! *&^%$#@!!

 

[Schwepps]

Sigh...are you doing this on purpose AB? Petronas Melaka SSP2 refines G-III hydrocracked mineral oil, which is mostly for the Europe market. A true synthetic oil is synthesized in a chemical plant and there are only 4 companies in the world making it, hence the high cost. You can be assured Syntium 3000 LL is not made here.

Please re-read the old threads.

 

[FIRZ67]

Hi sifus as I am about to do my 1st oil change (God knows what was previously in this car as I bought it 2nd hand) was juz wondering for my e90 which is the preferable engine oil.....and any feedback on the original bmw engine oil vs synthium 3000...thanks

View attachment 16002 vs View attachment 16003

I'm on syntium 3000 LL 01. So far so good and only change every 15,000 km.Some recommended Castrol Edge, but need a frequent top up. Not sure never tried Castrol.

 

[SapphireBlack]

Sigh...are you doing this on purpose AB? Petronas Melaka SSP2 refines G-III hydrocracked mineral oil, which is mostly for the Europe market. A true synthetic oil is synthesized in a chemical plant and there are only 4 companies in the world making it, hence the high cost. You can be assured Syntium 3000 LL is not made here.

Please re-read the old threads.

Your knowledge of type of oil and where they are synthesized very Geng! :top:

You work in Oil n Gas industry?

Anyway, what is the type of oil they use when you send your car into Authorized SC for oil top-up?

Is it the same Petronas Syntium 3000 LL (in BMW packaging) which u mentioned?

 

[Spaceman]

Go with 0W30. I've used BMW OEM 0W40 LL-04 last yr, engine sounded a little louder.

 

[Schwepps]

Is it the same Petronas Syntium 3000 LL (in BMW packaging) which u mentioned?

Most authorized SCs use Syntium 3000 LL as dealer fill, but it's been said that AB Segambut uses Shell Helix Ultra AB, so you need to ask.

Either one is good, and are true fully synthetic polyalphaolefin oils. Both are 0W-30 weight. Oils that you can buy retail are mostly G-III hydrocracked mineral oils, including plain Syntium 3000 and Helix Ultra. So look for the LL and AB tags if you want to use only fully syn oil. The reason G-III can also be sold as 'fully syn' is because it's legal to do so in all countries except Germany and Japan. It's actually good enough for all except the most fussy owners.

Chemist's definition: Synthesize = build up from shorter molecules, Hydrocrack = break down from longer molecules
Lawyer's argument: Both processes can be called 'synthesizing'
Chemist's protest: But you're not qualified to define synthesizing!
Lawyer's reply: But we're qualified to parse statements until you give up!

 

[astroboy]

Unker, can elaborate the LL bit ka? I know the vast difference between G-III and G-V, one is born from mineral while the other in the lab, but what about G-V vs G-V LL?

 

[Schwepps]

LL? No I can't. It's just a boring list of minimum performance specifications for an engine oil written by BMW. You can look it up if you can't fall asleep at night. Just note that 'Complies with LL-xx' on a label does not mean 'Tested and approved by BMW'

G-IV laa, not G-V! G-V would be esters such as fatty acids, essential oils and pheromones. Hmmm...filling the tank with pheromones and burning it may attract women by the thousands...

 

[astroboy]

LL? No I can't. It's just a boring list of minimum performance specifications for an engine oil written by BMW. You can look it up if you can't fall asleep at night. Just note that 'Complies with LL-xx' on a label does not mean 'Tested and approved by BMW'

G-IV laa, not G-V! G-V would be esters such as fatty acids, essential oils and pheromones. Hmmm...filling the tank with pheromones and burning it may attract women by the thousands...

hehe... I thot if you answer my LL question, then I'll ask u about the LL-98 vs 01 vs 04.. but u have answered all. :top:

I only remember reading the LL-04 is in compliant with the diesel emission filter, which the filter is omitted in the local "d" due to the low quality diesel here. Some say the LL-98 is meant for cars without Valvetronics. So by that definition, LL-01 is good enuf for all of us, including the local diesel model.

 

[etquah]

Shell Helix Fully Synthetic also can use right ? or Mobil 1.

 

[astroboy]

Shell Helix Fully Synthetic also can use right ? or Mobil 1.

How's your Powerflow 0w-30?

 

[evilnickwong]

If LL is good enough, how come the Bardahl 5w-40 can be so cheap at RM85/4L.
I'm just wondering btw since this thread came along, I only drive E30, not particularly picky about oil specifications.

 

[Schwepps]

Price is a good determinant of whether an oil is a G-III or G-IV. You get what you pay for, and G-IV feedstock is expensive stuff. But seriously, only a very minute percentage of vehicles in the world use G-IV, and G-III is certainly good enough especially if you change it at 10-12k intervals.

Incidently, I don't know where Syntium PAO feedstock comes from, but my pure guess would be that it's actually Shell feedstock from their plant in Europe (Belgium?)

Yes AB, LL-04 was introduced in 2004 to meet European diesel emission standards and the spec actually says "not to be used outside Europe". It may be slightly less protective than LL-01 which was introduced in 2001 and IMO, is the best one to use.

 

[astroboy]

... Yes AB, LL-04 was introduced in 2004 to meet European diesel emission standards and the spec actually says "not to be used outside Europe". It may be slightly less protective than LL-01 which was introduced in 2001 and IMO, is the best one to use.

Yey! we FINALLY agree on something !! YES!! :top:

 

[irwaniz8816]

Price is a good determinant of whether an oil is a G-III or G-IV. You get what you pay for, and G-IV feedstock is expensive stuff. But seriously, only a very minute percentage of vehicles in the world use G-IV, and G-III is certainly good enough especially if you change it at 10-12k intervals.

Incidently, I don't know where Syntium PAO feedstock comes from, but my pure guess would be that it's actually Shell feedstock from their plant in Europe (Belgium?)

Yes AB, LL-04 was introduced in 2004 to meet European diesel emission standards and the spec actually says "not to be used outside Europe". It may be slightly less protective than LL-01 which was introduced in 2001 and IMO, is the best one to use.

wow thank you all sifus for the detailed explanation.......i must say Im glad there are so many experts here!

 

[irwaniz8816]

If you're really fussy about keeping within spec, the Petronas Syntium has to be 3000 LL-01 which is not available retail. Only available at the authorised BMW dealers and if you buy topup bottles from them in BMW packaging, it's 3000 LL-01 inside. The BMW bottle you showed is LL-04, so it's probably from overseas: LL-04 is only required in Europe to comply with emission laws.

There have been many lengthy threads on engine oils. Do a search and you'll get all the answers.

I've decided to go for the BMW bottle juz to see how it goes....per bottle of 1 litre cost me rm60 so the mechanic put in 5 litres...so with filter and workmenship..altogether was rm360 is that reasonable?

Anyway sifus thank you all for the explanation and expert advice.

 

[izuaff]

Sent my car for regular service today at AB Jln Tun Razak, They use SHELL Helix AB instead of Petronas Syntium and i normally sent my car to Ingress which uses Petronas Syntium.

This mixing of oil, will have any effect or not on my car ?? And Auto Bavaria charged me RM500 plus just for 1 litre oil only ? is that normal ,price ?

Hope sifu here can clarify. Thank you.

 

[Schwepps]

No problem mixing Helix AB with 3000 LL - it's like mixing coke with pepsi. Both are true fully synthetic PAO oils. Anyway I think 3000 LL is from Shell PAO feedstock. Check the invoice again, or ask the SA to clarify. It's about RM90 per litre.