M54b25 with 15w50 (synthetic)?

[GLM]

Hi guys, i am a newbie here. few days ago managed to get E39 2001 with M54B25, the condition of the car is very good. Yesterday went to workshop to change engine oil. The foreman suggested to put Petronas Synthetic 15W50, and i agreed. I ve read some articles and forums, lots of arguments there regarding which oil to put. Most of them say that 5w30 or 5w40 (LL-01 approved) is the best oil for M54 engine.
In my case Petronas synthium 15w50 is not LL-01 approved. Any opinions,suggestions? Should i change it or wait until next oil change?

 

[GLM]

Looks like the experts are no longer here :shot: :laugh:

 

[Rick1]

I am no expert but here goes. The correct grade of oil for your car is 5W-30 or 5W-40, Petronas Syntium 3000 is on the approved list and is approved to Longlife 4. As Longlife 01 is recommended for your engine I would choose another oil that is approved to LL 01.
I personally would change the oil to the correct grade as the BMW manual is quite clear about using SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 only.
You should go back to the garage that changed the oil and insist that they help you in the cost of putting in the correct grade of oil.
I hope this helps

 

[gendong]

You might want to refer to the manual here bro http://www.bmwtips.com/OwnersManuals/2001Manual-5Sedan-SportWagon.pdf

Page 166 states : approved oil are in SAE classes 5W-40 or 5W-30, as per bro Rick1 mentioned.

Do share why the foreman proposed 15W-50? because of the M54 requires thicker oil due to age? any sign of leaking or white smoke?

 

[GLM]

I am no expert but here goes. The correct grade of oil for your car is 5W-30 or 5W-40, Petronas Syntium 3000 is on the approved list and is approved to Longlife 4. As Longlife 01 is recommended for your engine I would choose another oil that is approved to LL 01.
I personally would change the oil to the correct grade as the BMW manual is quite clear about using SAE 5W-30 or 5W-40 only.
You should go back to the garage that changed the oil and insist that they help you in the cost of putting in the correct grade of oil.
I hope this helps

OK noted, Rick1! Thanks! What about the brand? what is the most popular here in Malaysia for 5w-30 or 5w-40 (LL-01)?

 

[GLM]

You might want to refer to the manual here bro http://www.bmwtips.com/OwnersManuals/2001Manual-5Sedan-SportWagon.pdf

Page 166 states : approved oil are in SAE classes 5W-40 or 5W-30, as per bro Rick1 mentioned.

Do share why the foreman proposed 15W-50? because of the M54 requires thicker oil due to age? any sign of leaking or white smoke?

Thank you very much gendong! downloaded the manual :rock: . Initially, foreman wanted to put 5w-30 synthetic. Then he realised that he has no stock and said 15w-50 is also ok. The most funny thing is that I found one guy in Russian forum, he was claiming that 15w-50 is the best oil for e39. He said that he is still using it and won't change to another grade. No any leaking and white smoke. Engine is ok B) .Anyway, I will change my oil to 5w-40 or 5w-30. What brand is ok? Anyone who usd Bardahl Oil?

 

[d4ngerz0ne]

Thank you very much gendong! downloaded the manual :rock: . Initially, foreman wanted to put 5w-30 synthetic. Then he realised that he has no stock and said 15w-50 is also ok. The most funny thing is that I found one guy in Russian forum, he was claiming that 15w-50 is the best oil for e39. He said that he is still using it and won't change to another grade. No any leaking and white smoke. Engine is ok B) .Anyway, I will change my oil to 5w-40 or 5w-30. What brand is ok? Anyone who usd Bardahl Oil?

any reputable brand is fine as long as you keep to your recommended service intervals. Everyone has their own personal preference .; I've used Total , Motul , Liqui moly , and now using Petronas in the same weight,honestly couldnt really differentiate between em for daily driving besides cost.

 

[Black_Sunday]

Thank you very much gendong! downloaded the manual :rock: . Initially, foreman wanted to put 5w-30 synthetic. Then he realised that he has no stock and said 15w-50 is also ok. The most funny thing is that I found one guy in Russian forum, he was claiming that 15w-50 is the best oil for e39. He said that he is still using it and won't change to another grade. No any leaking and white smoke. Engine is ok B) .Anyway, I will change my oil to 5w-40 or 5w-30. What brand is ok? Anyone who usd Bardahl Oil?

I'd recommend Liqui Moly Toptec 5W-40 (LL-04 specific). I'm currently using it on my E90 325i and the engine feels great!

Good luck!

 

[GLM]

Thank you all guys :shakehands: ! I think i will use LM or Bardahl.

 

[Likeratech]

OK noted, Rick1! Thanks! What about the brand? what is the most popular here in Malaysia for 5w-30 or 5w-40 (LL-01)?

Hi there, i found that shell helix ultra are 5w-40 LL-01 as you looking
this brand quite popular in Malaysia too

 

[FashionWillows]

I'd recommend Liqui Moly Toptec 5W-40 (LL-04 specific). I'm currently using it on my E90 325i and the engine feels great!

Good luck!

whats the price for this product? will it be hard to find in the market at Malaysia?

 

[yu_loong]

Hi there, i found that shell helix ultra are 5w-40 LL-01 as you looking
this brand quite popular in Malaysia too

both got same function? in term of durable, which one is better? My parent was interest on shell, they feel the car is perform better after change to this brand. But i would rather do more research on it, if you got more knowledge i would like to know more knowledge from you.

 

[karmoon]

I suggest Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40, as my uncle always introduce to family member...

I would like to choose full synthetic compare with semi one, as can warm up the engine faster which means easy to start..also BMW is high performance car, need to keep the engine protected since it may warm up very fast

 

[GuaJepang]

Shell helix ultra 5W-40 between Petronas Syntium 3000 both seem same full synth and i believe their performance almost equal...
but i do notice once is when change shell helix it will consume more petrol oil not sure whether my engine got problem or the way i driving...
but i do tried petronas it has different outcome while save more petrol oil... anyone know what is going on?

 

[GuaJepang]

both got same function? in term of durable, which one is better? My parent was interest on shell, they feel the car is perform better after change to this brand. But i would rather do more research on it, if you got more knowledge i would like to know more knowledge from you.

Perform better may is petrol effect instead? press more oil then perform even greater... hahaha
all engine oils almost same... it is just lubricant for engine to run smooth... without engine oil will damage the car only...

 

[GuaJepang]

Hi there, i found that shell helix ultra are 5w-40 LL-01 as you looking
this brand quite popular in Malaysia too

What those term and number stand for? I always dont understand the 5W-30 and 5W-40 which one can give better performance?
I only can differentiate shell helix ultra and shell hx7 one is premium and one is semi... correct if i'm wrong...
but both of shell i using dont feel any different on it... anyone can same feeling?

 

[ReadyNOSteenWwjd]

BMW should be using full synthetic, i dont suggest use semi, and i usually use shell helix ultra, can feel the strong of the car, while pick up also fast

 

[ReadyNOSteenWwjd]

I might suggest Shell Helix Ultra 15W-50, as my uncle always introduce to family member...

I would like to choose full synthetic compare with semi one, i just feel it was more comfortable to drive when i use full synthetic engine oil.

is it 15W-50 much better? because i am using 5W-40, bought from lazada

 

[Rick1]

is it 15W-50 much better? because i am using 5W-40, bought from lazada

5W-40 is correct for your car assuming it is a fully synthetic and is to BMW standard ll-01. 15W-50 is not correct for these engines.
For info, the numbers that oils are referred to are the viscosity (thickness) of the oil at certain temperatures so in a case of 5W-40 at cold temperatures the oil must not have a higher viscosity that 5 and at 100'c the oil must be 40 viscosity. In Malaysia the W (cold thickness) is not an issue as the ambient temperature is always above 24'c, the important code for Malaysia is the higher number, in this case 40. A 15W-50 oil is not correct for a BMW with an M54 engine.

 

[RibuRibu]

BMW should be using full synthetic, i dont suggest use semi, and i usually use shell helix ultra, can feel the strong of the car, while pick up also fast

BMW definitely go for full synthetic one... if whoever purchase BMW go for semi on good luck to you first...
if using semi engine oil how the horse power can support? dont even can push the engine go fast...
my friend tried the semi on shell helix hx7 end up it caused the engine make noisy and go slower than usual...
doubt it is car problem or engine oil problem...