BMW with DI turbo >> I'd strongly advocate using BMW LL-04 oil
with low Noack numbers, likely making for less IVD and LSPI issues.
LL-04 is what's widely common on these engines in Europe and other
markets. BMW used to recommend LL-01 in the US only due to former
sulphur levels in US fuels which is a thing of the past now. So there's
little to no reason still using BMW LL-01. My recommendations are:
M1 ESP 5W-30 (came with actual BMW LL-04 approval in the past)
Ravenol REP 5W-30 (with actual BMW LL-04 approval)
Ravenol RUP 5W-40 (with actual BMW LL-04 approval)
I only run REP in my Mini Cooper even though it has port injection.
Currently I'm also running REP in my GTI even though it has no VW
approval. However the GTI is getting Ravenol VMP 5W-30 when it's
getting its oil change done at the dealer as VMP has both BMW and
VW 504 00 approvals. I'd prefer to run REP only as I'm convinced
it's the best LL-04 approved 5W-30 currently available anywhere if
not the best LL-04 at all. Base oil quality (group 4 & 5), HTHS, Noack,
flashpoint and pourpoint numbers along with actual BMW and MB
approvals are pretty much unique. RUP is very similar and just a tad
thicker. It comes with LL-04, Porsche C40 and VW 511 00 approvals.
These oils have 6.X % Noack numbers, while LM Synthoil is 11 %.
I understand demand for BMW LL-01 oil will still be higher in the US
just because most American BMW owners are still used to use LL-01.
However I'm sure you can obtain M1 ESP 5W-30 fairly easy. It's still
one of the best oils for this application even though it lost its BMW
LL-04 approval. If M1 is too boring try Ravenol. Did I mention both
REP and RUP come with a tungsten additive package? Do a google
search for Vanderbilt Vanlube W-324. That perhaps isn't even the only
American ingredient in these German oils.
.