[K911]

I find the manual amazingly frustrating when trying to determine what oil to put in my 2.0. It says 0-30 or 0-20, but 0-20 "is only suitable for particular engines". No mention of which particular engines those are. It also says to use Longlife-01 FE or Longlife-14 FE+, but FE+ is "only suitable for particular engines", again what particular engines those are is not mentioned. I believe the correct weight is 0-30 but I would like to know if there is an approved Mobile, Castrol, or other non BMW oil I can safely use.

Yes, I know maintenance is free for the first 3 years, but after I drive an hour to the dealer, wait an hour for service, and drive an hour back I could have already changed the oil, washed and waxed the car, and be into my second beer. Anyone know what the approved oils are?

[WallyF]

K911,

I believe that you are correct that 0W-30 LL-01 FE is the oil. See
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...nce/1VnYflS6JY

The LL 01 FE 0W-30 oil is BMW #83 21 2 365 950. I suggest you use the BMW oil and filter so there is no problem with your warranty. Go to getBMW parts.com online. They have the oil for around $7.54 per liter and the filter is around $14.

I am planning on changing the oil & filter around 1500 miles to eliminate the “breakin” oil.

Wallyf

[Swampman]

There should be a sticker under the keading edge of hood identifying proper weight. Mine says 0-20 and the online manual says says ll-01 topping off in energency situations only. The M58 engine is designed for 0-20 but that weight does scare me.

[ando]

Originally Posted by Swampman

There should be a sticker under the keading edge of hood identifying proper weight. Mine says 0-20 and the online manual says says ll-01 topping off in energency situations only. The M58 engine is designed for 0-20 but that weight does scare me.

This is a pic of the sticker under my 30i hood.

[WallyF]

ando,

I do not have my X3 2.0 liter Turbo yet so am not sure what the oil sticker will show. According to RealOEM website, my vehicle will have a B46 engine.

According to my research, either 0W-20 or 0W-30 LL 01 oil is acceptable. I will let you know what is on my sticker in about three weeks when I get my X3.

Wallyf

[K911]

Originally Posted by ando

This is a pic of the sticker under my 30i hood.

Just checked and it's the same here; 0-20. Did not expect that.

[383vett]

Per my dealer (I checked twice) the correct oil for the M40i is 0-20. 6.5 liters or almost 7 quarts.

[WallyF]

Boy,

Did BMW mess up. The location of the oil filter is way in the back of the engine on the driver's side. It is quite hard to get to unlike to good old 6 cylinder engine. I realize that the engine cover and DME cover need to be removed, but it still is going to more difficult than the 6.

I like to change my own oil and planned on doing a break-in oil change at 1200 miles. However, based on the location, I may reconsider. It looks like after being unscrewed, the filter could drip oil all over the rear of the engine.

BTW, the correct oil on the inside of the hood is 0W-20. The Owner's Manual says 0W-20 or 0W-30.

Wallyf

[ND40oz]

Originally Posted by WallyF

ando,

I do not have my X3 2.0 liter Turbo yet so am not sure what the oil sticker will show. According to RealOEM website, my vehicle will have a B46 engine.

According to my research, either 0W-20 or 0W-30 LL 01 oil is acceptable. I will let you know what is on my sticker in about three weeks when I get my X3.

Wallyf

I order my oil change kits from BMW of Silver Spring. Here's the B46 kit: https://www.getbmwparts.com/p-b46-en...and-on-pkb46oc

[383vett]

Originally Posted by WallyF

Boy,

Did BMW mess up. The location of the oil filter is way in the back of the engine on the driver's side. It is quite hard to get to unlike to good old 6 cylinder engine. I realize that the engine cover and DME cover need to be removed, but it still is going to more difficult than the 6.

I like to change my own oil and planned on doing a break-in oil change at 1200 miles. However, based on the location, I may reconsider. It looks like after being unscrewed, the filter could drip oil all over the rear of the engine.

BTW, the correct oil on the inside of the hood is 0W-20. The Owner's Manual says 0W-20 or 0W-30.

Wallyf

It's really not that hard to do. You only need to remove the engine cover (pulls off). A 1 1/4" socket with a swivel and extension will get the cap off. There is no oil spilt since the canister is vertical. It is harder than my 2012 X3 but not too bad.

[WallyF]

Based on the TIS referenced below, the B46 engine in the 30i takes 5.25 liters with the filter change. Is this correct? It makes sense since it is a four cylinder engine.

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...nce/1VnYflS6JY.

Thanks 383vett for the size of the socket needed on the oil filter cover.

Wallyf

[WallyF]

383vett,

I tried a 1 1/4" and 1 1/8" socket on my oil filter cap. Both were too big.
The 1 1/8" socket would work but would strip the cap eventually.

I think that correct size it is closer to 1 1/16" or 27mm. I will try the 1 1/16" tomorrow.

Wally

[WallyF]

I checked it today. My oil filter cap has a 27mm (1 1/16") nut on the top.

Wallyf

[barrypan]

I have a spare 1L bottle of oil labeled with

ORIGINAL BMW ENGINE OIL
TWIN POWER TURBO
SAE 5W-30
BMW Longlife-01 GASOLINE

Thanks

[383vett]

Originally Posted by WallyF

383vett,

I tried a 1 1/4" and 1 1/8" socket on my oil filter cap. Both were too big.
The 1 1/8" socket would work but would strip the cap eventually.

I think that correct size it is closer to 1 1/16" or 27mm. I will try the 1 1/16" tomorrow.

Wally

I was out in the garage tonight and verified that for the X3 M40i motor, the correct correct size is 1 1/4" and not 1mm smaller. The size you mentioned, I surmise, fits the X3 filter housing, not the X3M 40i.