A while back we had reported BMWNA was working on publishing a list of recommended oils to be used in gasoline engines.

This was a welcomed move as oil specifics have not been listed in the owner ‘s manual and some people like to have an independent garage (or alone) complete a mid recommended interval oil change. Then there is the occasional need to top the engine off; it has always been a question as to whether that quart of oil, the life blood of the motor, was up to spec.

The oils listed below meet BMW’s Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines. (Excludes ///M and Alpina models).

BMW Long-life rating LL-01Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market

– Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
– Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
– Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
– Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

For ///M or Alpina models as well as the view the BMW document here