BMW High Performance Syn 5w30

[m6pwr]

Here is a VOA done last week by Polaris Labs on a sample of the oil used by BMW in all their current gas models with turbo direct injection motors (including the M5 and M6). BMW recommended oci is approx 15,000 mi (motors have ecm computer algorithms plus oil life monitors) with 7 qts in the sump for most cars (not sure about M cars).

The bottle says the oil is made in the US with foreign and domestic components. It meets ACEA A3B3 and API SL/CF. I believe it is made by Castrol, BMW's lubricant partner.

Aluminum 2 ppm
Silicon 3
Sodium 6
Moly 143
Boron 60
Magnesium 12
Calcium 2157
Phosphorous 884
Zinc 1004

Vis. 100 C 11.7 Cst
Base number 8.16
Oxidation 6 abs/cm
Nitration 5 abs/cm

Couple of questions:

Why API SL? It's a currently formulated oil.

Why would oxidation and nitration show up in a VOA? I've been told that esters in the virgin oil sometimes can fool the test equipment into thinking oxidation/nitration. True?

All your comments appreciated.

 

[randomhero439]

Since when did they use a 5w-30 in the current M models?

Kinda a low TBN for a 15k oil hmmm

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: m6pwr
Why API SL? It's a currently formulated oil.

API SM and SN have imposed stricter limits on Xw-30 grades when it comes to additive levels. This oil likely has too rich of an add pack to pass API SM/SN. Similar to GC which is also API SL still.

API is irrelevant for the BMW application anyway. BMW LL-01 is a much more stringent spec.

 

[m6pwr]

Since when did they use a 5w-30 in the current M models?/quote]

BMW switched from Castrol TWS 10w60 for M's with the new twin turbo v8's for the 2013 M5/M6. The M3 with the naturally aspirated v8 still uses the TWS.

 

[m6pwr]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: m6pwr
Why API SL? It's a currently formulated oil.

API SM and SN have imposed stricter limits on Xw-30 grades when it comes to additive levels. This oil likely has too rich of an add pack to pass API SM/SN. Similar to GC which is also API SL still.

API is irrelevant for the BMW application anyway. BMW LL-01 is a much more stringent spec.


Thanks for the feedback. I didn't realize GC is API Sl also. I have a recent VOA of GC and it is very similar to the BMW oil although it doesn't have the boron and moly in the BMW oil. FWIW I found this description of what's involved in the BMW LL01 test. Pretty stringent, as you say.

 

[Taylor]

This one? ~$7.50/qt? Do you have a P/N? Have you done a UOA, curious to see TBN retention, does anyone know the NOACK on this oil? I like the boron!

Any idea which method was used to discover the nitration, and oxidation? ASTM D7624?

"1.5 This test method is for petroleum and hydrocarbon-based lubricants and is not applicable for ester-based oils, including polyol esters or phosphate esters."

http://www.astm.org/Standards/D7624.htm

 

[CATERHAM]

Thanks for posting.
Looks well additized.
It would have been interesting to have seen the KV40 spec'.
With a KV100 of 11.7cSt it seems to be a bit lighter than GC.

 

[KenO]

I laugh that BMW is STILL using an M52 (20 year old engine now) on the sticker on the bottles!