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4.6is Correct engine oil?

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sleepyfolk
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4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by sleepyfolk » Sat Jul 15, 2017 1:42 am

Righty oh, jumped in and bought a carbon black 4.6is, just going to start doing some basic maintenance stuff, I can't find this on a forum search and google seems to produce some mixed responses so apologies for the basic questions:

1. What is LL04 and is that the right spec to be looking for
2. What is the right oil for a 4.6 viscosity code wise
3. What brand should I get
4. Any particular brand of filter considered better than the other

I've got no handbook unfortunately or I'd have looked in there, thanks in advance - don't know what I'd do without this place ! :)
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Denis O
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by Denis O » Sat Jul 15, 2017 5:37 am

5w 30 fully synthetic and LL04 is BMW nomenclature for the minimum spec of the oil.

As for brands, Castrol Edge was always recommended by BMW up till they did a deal with Mobil, a couple of years ago. Now Edge is crap and Mobil 1 is the best thing since sliced bread. Any known quality oil is fine. I currently use Petronas in our Smart car because it makes it go as fast as Lewis.

For the minimal cost, I'd buy my filter from the stealer.
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Alan Gunn
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by Alan Gunn » Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:50 am

Mann filters they make them for bmw.
Oil as above i normally get 2 lot's when i first get a car.
First oil low cost but right spec and run it for 200 miles to give it a flush then change it again for some good oil.

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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by Greydog » Sat Jul 15, 2017 7:00 am

Denis said it all Castrol fully synthetic 5-30 in mine filter from the Dealer. Best quality oil you can get has always been my policy even more so following a £5k engine rebuild.
I fitted a pre-oiling system to try and extend chain guide life after the rebuild, instant oil pressure before starter engagement.
As for your books I have a full set from my 4.4 (they are the same) you can have them for the postage if you want, service book would be the only thing missing then but you may be able to get a print out of it's early stuff from BMW.

Enjoy your 4.6
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by sleepyfolk » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:24 am

Thanks chaps, and PM sent for books!
E53 X5 4.6is Carbon Black 2003
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by sleepyfolk » Sun Jul 16, 2017 3:58 pm

There seems to be more than one sort of castrol edge, does it matter? Is everyone saying any fully synthetic 5/30 meets the spec?
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by Horizon » Sun Jul 16, 2017 4:08 pm

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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by X5Sport » Sun Jul 16, 2017 6:32 pm

Garages often use Edge FST Professional but that is harder to find.  The standard Castrol Edge FST 5W30 is perfectly OK as long as it is the LL04 recipe variant (there are others available for manufacturers like VW/Audi/Škoda/Seat).
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by sleepyfolk » Sun Jul 16, 2017 6:56 pm

Confusingly 0/30 come up on the castrol site, that and 5/30 come up on euro car parts site when you put the reg in that's why I asked on here, seems 5/30 is most popular answer on here, read some forum answers about folk using one or the other and then having a little rattle after having the oil changed on a service so I just wanted to make sure I didn't create a problem
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Re: 4.6is Correct engine oil?

Post by X5Sport » Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:05 pm

You can use both.  0W30 was common for a while then Dealers went to 5W30.  It's just a bit 'thinner' when cold.  :)
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