[puckybadger]

Had my first oil change today on my X6 M60i compliments of BMW (warranty pay). As the SA was handing me back my key fob and paperwork he said something to the effect "oil changes on these (M60i's) are expensive" i said how come and he replied they use a special oil. Everyone was in a hurry so no time to question or elaborate. Anyone here have any insights?
NOTE: No 8.5 automatic iDrive update.

[Dynabyte]

I just had an early oil change done on my M60i yesterday. They used the BMW Group LL-01 FE 0W-30 oil which I think is a standard one. They didn't indicate to me that the S68 engine takes something different. The X5M with the S68 does use a different oil during break-in, that's why they want you to have an early "M" oil change apparently. Maybe that's what they were thinking of?

[cobramite]

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/...B&gclsrc=aw.ds
$37 for 5 qts. I think the S68 takes 8 qts but not certain about that. Looks like about the same cost as other synthetic oil changes.

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by Dynabyte

I just had an early oil change done on my M60i yesterday. They used the BMW Group LL-01 FE 0W-30 oil which I think is a standard one. They didn't indicate to me that the S68 engine takes something different. The X5M with the S68 does use a different oil during break-in, that's why they want you to have an early "M" oil change apparently. Maybe that's what they were thinking of?

What oil do they use for break in? Specifically?

[streborx]

At the risk of starting a debate over engine oil, I use Castrol Edge Euro 5W-30 that's BMW LL-01 approved and meets all the other requisite oil specs. It's easier to find and is $26/5 qt jug at Walmart. I do oil and filter changes every 5K miles. My X7 M50i is stored Nov - May, so no low temp winter driving.

[Qsilver7]

If you use the owners manual built into iDrive…you can see what oil viscosity BMW recommends for you vehicle. The owners manual built into iDrive is VIN specific…so it should reveal if the viscosity for your BMW is different than another model in the lineup.

It’s easy to find if you use the keyword search…just type in ”OIL”…heck, your newer gen BMWs can probably use voice commands to open and go directly to the oil topic in your onboard owners manual. The pics below were from my 2013 f06 GC which had the old CIC version of iDrive. And the pics below that are screen shots of iDrive 7’s embedded owners manual where you can use the keyword search to find specific info :

[Dynabyte]

Originally Posted by Tejas1836

What oil do they use for break in? Specifically?

No idea on what oil that the S68 X5Ms use for break-in, I heard about this difference in another thread about M60i oil changes -

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=18

[jad03060]

This is just a guess...because the M series engines are so highly tuned, it may not be a special break-in oil, but the potential for contamination of that initial oil fill may be the reason why they want to change it sooner. Maybe they feel those that buy an M series may be a bit loose on the break-in limitations as well, so it's best to change the oil and filter sooner.

While today's engines have closer tolerances than those of old, it still takes a bit of time for things to seat to their best advantage, so there could be more blowby and crud getting into the oil along with any potential wear particles that a filter change would help.

It would be interesting to take that original filter, cut it apart, unfold it, and take a good look for any metal deposits it caught.

[Tejas1836]

Originally Posted by Dynabyte

No idea on what oil that the S68 X5Ms use for break-in, I heard about this difference in another thread about M60i oil changes -

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...6&postcount=18

That myth has been around for longer than I can remember