[GreaseMonkey]

In talking with my indy, he told me that his supplier is now stocking Pentosin 5w40 for our N54 engines as a new BMW approved/supplied oil. The bottle shows LL04 certification, which seems to meet LL01, and the 5w40 is approved for the engine.

This seemed like an odd change for BMW to switch the recommended oil, but maybe they are changing their stance on oil as evidenced by their reduced interval recommendations for oil changes.

We filled up 7 quarts and I will let you know how the car seems to like it. Previously I ran Mobil 1 0w40 and did not have any oil consumption between oil changes. My car is a daily driver, with plenty of aggressive fun and very rare track time.

Any one else running Pentosin or other 5w40? How does it behave and last for you?

[tc535i]

Does it say LL01, or do you mean that LL04 meets the same standards? Meant for totally different sulfur content fuels as I understand it, unless you know something I don't?

[GreaseMonkey]

It says LL04, but I remember seeing somewhere that all LL04 meet LL01 requirements, but not all LL01 meet LL04. I don't know if this is true, but apparently this is the oil that BMW is endorsing now?

[trikat]

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

It says LL04, but I remember seeing somewhere that all LL04 meet LL01 requirements, but not all LL01 meet LL04. I don't know if this is true, but apparently this is the oil that BMW is endorsing now?

LL04 for low sulfur fuel (Europe).
LL01 for US.

[GreaseMonkey]

Thanks for clearing that up, we'll still see how it goes until the next change. Anyone else running 5w40?

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by trikat

LL04 for low sulfur fuel (Europe).
LL01 for US.

Originally Posted by GreaseMonkey

Thanks for clearing that up, we'll still see how it goes until the next change. Anyone else running 5w40?

As long as you change more often than the 15K mile mark, you should be fine. LL04 oils start with less TBN than LL01 and don't last as long in a high-sulfur environment.
All us diesel guys are running LL04, since our fuel is lower-sulfur than gasoline, in the US.

[GreaseMonkey]

I change at 7,500 miles or sooner, so I'm really not worried. I'll probably switch back to LL01 oil if nothing turns up about this being the new N54 oil backed by BMW.

Thanks everyone!