I thought the whole idea behind running tcw3 is that it is ashless. And ash is what plugs dpfs.tcw3 will not harm your catalytic converter but it will plug your DPF.
I thought the whole idea behind running tcw3 is that it is ashless. And ash is what plugs dpfs.tcw3 will not harm your catalytic converter but it will plug your DPF.
In reviewing the paperwork I got from the seller of my 2016 BMW 535d, which shows everything done by the local BMW dealer in June '23, I noticed a couple of interesting things. The dealer used a diesel oil conditioner and a diesel fuel system cleaner during the service, or at least the paperwork says they did. Nothing on the paperwork seems to have a valid part number for either additive. So my question is: Do I need to add ANYTHING to my oil when I change it, or to my fuel when I fill up? Or is this just something BMW does to pad their bottom line?
Side note: BMW charged the previous owner $146!!!! to add DEF (Adblue). What the ****!!! ECS sells 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF for $30, and Walmart has it for even less. Looking over the service invoice from the previous owner makes me angry. I will never, never, not ever pay BMW one penny to service my car, unless it needs something that only they can do (hopefully NEVER). Even then I'll try to find a way around it. The previous owner even pre-paid for 3 years of oil changes that would transfer to me, but I'm still not taking it to them. Bunch of crooks.
Yep Sir. Just like most OEMs the manual says not to use additives, and then they sell their own branded additives.Somewhere in BMW manual it says absolutely no additives! What individual dealerships are doing is completely different thing.
Side note: BMW charged the previous owner $146!!!! to add DEF (Adblue). What the ****!!! ECS sells 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF for $30, and Walmart has it for even less. Looking over the service invoice from the previous owner makes me angry. I will never, never, not ever pay BMW one penny to service my car, unless it needs something that only they can do (hopefully NEVER). Even then I'll try to find a way around it. The previous owner even pre-paid for 3 years of oil changes that would transfer to me, but I'm still not taking it to them. Bunch of crooks.
You're right about it being a beast. The power at stock levels is unbelievable, and unlike anything I've ever driven. With all respect, I'm not changing anything from stock; I don't want to risk damaging the engine.Congrats on the 535d, it is a beast in a tuxedo. Go ahead and register on the Bimmer forums here, you'll find a lot of good reading and knowledgeable folks. Also, if you're interested in letting the beast out of its tuxedo, shoot me a PM and I might be able to hook you up with one of the best tuners out there...
My 2 BMWs are not my first European cars. My rant is about how ridiculously high the dealership's rate is for doing something as simple as adding DEF. I'm not doing business with the dealership's service department because I find their rates offensive. I bought another BMW from the same dealership back in June, and it also will not be going to them for service except for warranty/recall items. I am going to use our local independent BMW mechanic for service items on both BMWs that I can't handle myself.While that charge is obnoxious, and the cost structure and “I deserve” mentality of dealerships drives costs sky high for vehicles that are much more pedestrian in Europe… you did buy a BMW. You should have known the ridiculous structure of cost that NA Euro car manufacturers push, as well as the complexity of modern ones. So that’s on you, not worth a rant. You bought a used euro car that is very complex. So I don’t really get your rant about never paying them a cent to do anything...
Yep. They want to make a buck somewhere. Like VW pushing that BG junk that clogs heater cores.Yep Sir. Just like most OEMs the manual says not to use additives, and then they sell their own branded additives.
https://www.bmwpartsonline.co.uk/BMW-Diesel-Additive-83192296922
https://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/14779/TWIN-POWER-TURBO-FUEL-ADDITIVE
I've never used the BMW or Mercedes additives.
Currently using Hotshots for a good Cetane boost, cleaner, and lubricant in one.
Noted. I get fuel at the BP truck stop so the fuel supply should always be fresh. Not a 100% guarantee I couldn't get fuel with water in it, but it's about the best way I know to mitigate the risk.
Yes, BMW discontinued their own LL04. Numerous other oils are LL04 approved! Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30 in Wal Mart was repackaged as BMW TPT 5W30 LL04.You're right about it being a beast. The power at stock levels is unbelievable, and unlike anything I've ever driven. With all respect, I'm not changing anything from stock; I don't want to risk damaging the engine.
Also, in regards to your comment about fuel, there is a BP truck stop right around the corner from my house. That's where I am getting my fuel. It get TONS of traffic every day.
Walmart near me sells the Peak DEF, so that's what I'll be using. Strangely, in my vehicle settings, there isn't a way I've found to check the DEF level. Where it should be in the vehicle settings, there is no option for it. Weird.
Lastly, according to FCP Euro: "Note: BMW has discontinued 5W30 LL-04 TwinPower Turbo in favor of 0W30 LL-12FE." I can't independently verify this statement, but I can't believe they would just make it up. Then again, who knows?
I have 3 diesels. California diesel is very high quality and high cetane. Truck stops sell B20 in California. I don’t run anything above B5 in my cars. Biodiesel has inconsistent fuel quality and burns dirtier than straight diesel #2.
Fuel additive is preventative maintenance. It will add lubricity, remove water and injector deposits plus prevent corrosion. Some also have a catalyst effect to improve the combustion and cleaning properties of the fuel.
Avoid solvent based, all in one or winter formulas like Stanadyne PF. They are not needed and can thin your engine oil.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'll look into it. Also, it looks like FCP also sells Liqui Moly 5w30 LL-04, so that's good to know if I decide to go that route.Yes, BMW discontinued their own LL04. Numerous other oils are LL04 approved! Pennzoil Platinum Euro L 5W30 in Wal Mart was repackaged as BMW TPT 5W30 LL04.
Interesting, thanks for the info. I'll look into it.
Numerous options. Motul has 0W30 EFE that is LL04.Interesting, thanks for the info. I'll look into it. Also, it looks like FCP also sells Liqui Moly 5w30 LL-04, so that's good to know if I decide to go that route.
"Some" BMW owners expect that. I expect to pay the indy BMW mechanic a premium compared to the cost of servicing my Jeep and Ford, but wavinwayne isn't paying dealer service prices.BMW means Brought My Wallet...
...but BMW owners expect to get hosed when they get "serviced" and the dealer network never disappoints.
FWIW, the service paperwork from the previous owner shows that the local dealer used LL-12FE when it was serviced recently, maybe because that's what BMW told them to use?? I don't know what it got prior to that. It lived the first half of its life near San Francisco, so I assume the previous owners had it serviced at the dealer there..
Virtually any BMW specced for LL-12 FE can use LL-04 with no issues.
However not all if not no single BMW specced for LL-04 can run LL-12 FE.
Probably most important difference is HTHS:
LL-04: >=3.5 mPas (3.5-3.8)
LL-12 FE: ~3.0 mPas
More simple, that thinner oil could let to elevated wear, the thicker one
won't. Never ever.
,
Last 4 years I had $300 in unexpected failure on my 328, and I track that car. It was TPMS module."Some" BMW owners expect that. I expect to pay the indy BMW mechanic a premium compared to the cost of servicing my Jeep and Ford, but wavinwayne isn't paying dealer service prices.
BMW moved to 0w30 FE oils around 2015. Gas (LL01FE) and Diesel (LL12FE). Dealership will only pour what their computer tells them but they should stock LL04 for all those M57's they sold a decade ago.FWIW, the service paperwork from the previous owner shows that the local dealer used LL-12FE when it was serviced recently, maybe because that's what BMW told them to use?? I don't know what it got prior to that. It lived the first half of its life near San Francisco, so I assume the previous owners had it serviced at the dealer there.