Choosing an engine oil for any car can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for. Most manufacturers have specialized oil specifications determining which formulas are best for a given engine. BMW has over six different variations, and like the others, finding the right oil type can be a bit challenging. Luckily, we’re here to make that challenge a thing of the past as we bring you this handy guide to BMW engine oil specs broken down by cylinder arrangement.
BMW Longlife: What Is It?
BMW’s careful engineering over the last several decades has led to the development of many specially formulated oils. Each is tailored to fit a range of engines, though some are less than others. You must respect BMW’s specifications, as the oil blends are not the same in makeup or viscosity, and using the improperly specified oil can damage the engine system.
The LL-01 formula will cover almost all of BMW’s gasoline-burning engines except the diesel and M engines, and the LL-01 FE isn’t far behind. The newest blend is the LL-22 FE++, which is specified for the latest Gen 3 B58 and B48 engines with the mild-hybrid tech. However, it’s not backward compatible with older engines. Diesels have a few low SAPS (sulfated ash, phosphorus, and sulfur) blends to choose from to ensure their DPFs stay in good health, and while they may work in non-diesel engines, it’s not recommended.
If you find an oil with the right certification and the weight you’re looking for, you can use it. Most oil producers have a product that fits BMW’s long-life specifications, so you don’t need to look for genuine oil. If you enter your BMW’s information in FCP Euro’s “My Garage” tool, your search results will return all oils from LIQUI MOLY, Motul, Red Line, and Fuchs, to name a few, that meet BMW’s requirements. Choose which you like best, and you’ll have fresh oil flowing through your BMW engine in no time.
BMW Non-M Four-Cylinder Engines
BMW Non-M Six-Cylinder Engines
BMW Non-M Eight-Cylinder Engines
BMW Non-M Twelve-Cylinder Engines
BMW M Engines
BMW Diesel Engines
With that, you should be all set to fill your BMW with the proper oil specification. If you have any other questions, please contact FCP Euro’s Customer Service team, who are standing by to help you with any questions about your European vehicle. Consider spending more time on the DIY Blog or FCP Euro’s YouTube channels for more great and informative content. Happy wrenching!
