VOA - BMW LL-01 TwinPower Turbo 5W-30

[mattsheng]

I originally was going to do a VOA for the BMW LL-01FE 0W-30 since the dealer can use this oil on my B46TU under the free 3 years / 30,000 miles BMW maintenance. But I came across this BMW LL-01 5W-30 (83 21 5 A2A F83; production date 02/23/2022) at the part store and wondered if it is any good.

Unlike the LL-01FE 0W-30, which is supplied by Shell, this LL-01 5W-30 is supplied by Castro (according to BMW tech docs). From the VOA, it seems that the LL-01 has lots of Calcium but almost no Molybdenum and Titanium. Can someone shed some light on whether this oil is ok? Thanks in advance!

I probably won't end up using this LL-01. I plan to do a 5,000 miles OCI with Ravenol VST 5W-40 and BMW LL01FE 0W-30 when the car is serviced at the dealer.

 

[kschachn]

What do you mean by “whether this oil is OK”? It has Longlife-01 approval, right?

 

[mattsheng]

What do you mean by “whether this oil is OK”? It has Longlife-01 approval, right?

Ahh, I meant to say "whether this oil is good". And yes, it has Longlife-01 approval.

 

[kschachn]

Yes it’s good. The approval tells you that. Longlife-01 is a pretty demanding approval.

 

[CleverUserName]

PQIA did a full work-up of this oil a few years ago. VOA was probably not necessary.

 

[mattsheng]

PQIA did a full work-up of this oil a few years ago. VOA was probably not necessary.

Yea, I saw that before. But if I recall correctly, that was done before BMW changed the LL01 spec in 2018, right?

 

[drtyler]

Yea, I saw that before. But if I recall correctly, that was done before BMW changed the LL01 spec in 2018, right?

And it was the LL-01 made by Shell.

Just my opinion, but I would use the BMW oil with confidence. Its a good product.

 

[himemsys]

Thanks for posting. Nice TBN on that oil. I added your submission to my VOA Database.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

Mmmmm, yummy full-SAPS

 

[jefftang]

Hi All, I found a VOA on oil-club.ru for apparently the latest version/batch of TPT LL01 5w30.

BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30 LL-01 свежее

BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30 LL-01 свежее за анализ спасибо импортеру ООО Рустранс Логистик. Анализ масла проводил ООО Рустранс Логистик. Масло заявлено как: ACEA A3/B4; API SL; BMW Longlife 01. 1) По вязкости это действительно честная, густая 5W-30. 2) Очень высокое щелочное число = 12,44 - у масла...

www.oil-club.ru

It is quite different from the VOA from https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/voa-database.360118/

One of the biggest difference is their formulation for detergent. Instead of full Ca, now it is split between Ca and Mg. and also TBN is super high at 12.44.

Any comments?

 

[himemsys]

TBN is super high at 12.44

Because they are using the D2896 method, which is normally a couple of points higher than D4739. Most oil analysis labs in our VOA Database use the latter method.

 

[jefftang]

Because they are using the D2896 method, which is normally a couple of points higher than D4739. Most oil analysis labs in our VOA Database use the latter method.

What do you think about the Ca and Mg portion. because if that is legit. its actually a good thing. LSPI and all.

 

[himemsys]

What do you think about the Ca and Mg portion. because if that is legit. its actually a good thing. LSPI and all.

I don't see it not being legit. A lot of oil manufacturers are headed that way. If you can blend an oil that works well with your older vehicles and your new ones, that seems smart to me.