F10 M5 Engine Oil Minefield - A3/B4, C3, LL04?

[13aines]

Hi all!

I just recently bought a 2012 F10 M5 with 35k miles on it.



It is asking for a litre of engine oil, but I am unsure what I should put in it!

I understand the recommendation from BMW used to be 5w30, but is now 0w30.

My BMW dealer invoices shows "Shell Oil" only, and older invoices Shell 0w30. The manual suggests 0w30, but ACEA A3/B4 spec.

I am struggling to find this. Is ACEA C3 or C2/C3 OK?

C3: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000R9TTS8/ref...

C2/C3: https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/shell-helix-ultra-e...

Thanks,

Matt

[Calza]

Firstly, how is your oil consumption?

BMW advised me they would use a 0w40 should I service with them, and was advised by others this was absolutely fine. I was also further advised that a 5w40 was no issue in the UK and offers a broader range of oils.

I ended up going for: Millers Oils EE Performance 5w-40 and have only done around 450 miles but no issues so far.

[13aines]

Calza said:

Firstly, how is your oil consumption?

BMW advised me they would use a 0w40 should I service with them, and was advised by others this was absolutely fine. I was also further advised that a 5w40 was no issue in the UK and offers a broader range of oils.

I ended up going for: Millers Oils EE Performance 5w-40 and have only done around 450 miles but no issues so far.

Thanks.

It's hard to say. I measured the level for the first time last night, before a steady 400 mile drive, it was about a third of the way between min and max, and when I measured after the 400 miles, it was on min, so extrapolating, it could be 0.75L per 1000 miles - but I've done 1600 miles since I got it in the last two weeks, and this is the first request for oil, so it's probably not as bad as my extrapolation.

That adds even more complexity - the manual says 0w30 or 5w30, but I did wonder if such low weights were for fuel economy rather than longevity?

[Calza]

I've seen similar comments on the owners club but have no facts to back it up. I can't imagine it would be written anywhere either!

[Calza]

And to answer you directly about top ups,

My service book was exactly the same "Shell 0w30" so for my topups I used:

CASTROL EDGE 0W-30:



It drank it like a fish but car was fine until service last month.

[13aines]

Thanks.

I stuck the same in because it was all Halfords had, C3 specification so should be suitable, but still unclear how that stacks up against the ACEA A3/B4 spec that's listed in the manual.

Let's see how long it lasts

[ninjag]

Opie Oils is pretty good for returning correct spec engine oils. Worth a look.

https://www.opieoils.co.uk

[13aines]

Thanks. I looked, but it still recommended 5w30, which BMW moved away from to 0w30. Minefield!

[Uncle Meat]

I have this as recommended by my dealer for my F85 (similar engine):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273856936492

[ninjag]

13aines said:

Thanks. I looked, but it still recommended 5w30, which BMW moved away from to 0w30. Minefield!

I wonder how much it would really matter unless in -30°C or under?

[anonymous-user]

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