BMW LL04/LL01

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All,

I know this is probably a dead horse, but I'd figure I'll step up to take my turn beating it again.

My situation:
I currently reside in Europe with the military. I was able to secure a MINI F56 through BMW military sales, and will be taking it back to the states in January. I have been keeping up with the service interval, and am due for an oil change in December. I currently hate the fact that I have to stomach 300$+ in order to have my oil change done (because of the cost/taxes on oil in Italy). I was able to get my hands on some LL01 equivalent oil, and am wondering what to do next. Should I stomach the 300$+ to change my oil, and then change it again when I get to the states (since BMW tech literature states not to use LL04 outside of Europe and LL01 outside of USA), or would I be ok with having them change the oil with my MOTUL LL01 equivalent, and then get an additional oil change when I get back to America 2 months later (since changing my oil 2 times will still come in at 2/13 the price of having the dealer change the oil with the approved LL04)?


An additional thing to point out is that I emailed BMW corporate with my situation, and they told me to speak with a dealer as they would know the technical restrictions best. I directed my question to a dealer that is close to home back in the US, and they said that they would have to do some digging with the BMW/MINI techs at corporate to figure out an answer.

TL;DR
Is it ok to change my oil with LL01 in Europe for a short period of time, or should I change the LL04, and drive it in the US for a brief period until I can flush out the LL04 in the states?

Again, sorry if this is a dead horse.
 
I mean not entirely necessary, I'm just coming up on the window of a couple hundred miles when I ship it back to USA (give or take 200 miles)
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Those B series engines are very robust and not very picky about oil.

Also, does it not come with free 3yr/36k mi maintenance like they do in the states?

Welcome to bitog!
 
Originally Posted By: Dislocated_Local
I wish. They don't honor that arrangement in Italy unfortunately.


But they do over here. Leave it alone and get it done for free when you get here.
 
Thanks for posting that!

I seem to be confusing the main point of that post.

So LL01 can be used in Europe, since it is for high-sulfur content gas, but LL04 is not to be used in USA?
 
I'd like to think they will, but to add to the situation I will be at the 3 year mark of the car in December (one month before I put it on the boat to ship home).
 
Originally Posted By: Dislocated_Local
Thanks for posting that!

I seem to be confusing the main point of that post.

So LL01 can be used in Europe, since it is for high-sulfur content gas, but LL04 is not to be used in USA?


LL-04 is used for diesels in the states, however I've seen plenty of people use it in gassers without trouble.
 
Originally Posted By: Dislocated_Local
(since BMW tech literature states not to use LL04 outside of Europe and LL01 outside of USA)

This makes no sense. What is the difference between ll-whatever oil on one side of the Atlantic or the other? I think you are obsessing over this unnecessarily. The main reason for the LL-04 requirement is low-SAPS DPF protection in diesels, AFAIK.
 
Originally Posted By: UberArchetype
Originally Posted By: Dislocated_Local
(since BMW tech literature states not to use LL04 outside of Europe and LL01 outside of USA)

This makes no sense. What is the difference between ll-whatever oil on one side of the Atlantic or the other? I think you are obsessing over this unnecessarily. The main reason for the LL-04 requirement is low-SAPS DPF protection in diesels, AFAIK.


I mean I understand why they've published that because of the sulfur content differences in the fuels.

I probably am worrying too much, but The last thing I need is for the engine to fail right outside of warranty because I didn't do something right.
 
If an oil change cost $30 I'd say go for it. But not $300.

Assuming the car won't be more than a month or two in transit, have the oil changed when you get it back to the US. Good enough. Done.
 
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