BMW oil specifications

BMW Longlife-98 (BMW LL-98)
Special long-life engine oil approved by BMW. Also meets ACEA A3 / B3, API SJ / CD, EC SAE 5W-40. Usually required for BMWs manufactured before 2002. Specifications obsolete since 2009.

BMW Longlife-01 (BMW LL-01)
Fully synthetic long-life oil special BMW approval. The product meets the requirements of ACEA A3 / B3 and API: SJ / CD EC-II. Usually required for BMWs manufactured from 2001 to 2004. Can also be used where BMW Longlife-98 oil is recommended.

BMW Longlife-01 FE (BMW LL-01 FE)
Fully synthetic long-life oil with fuel-saving properties. Oils meeting this specification must have a low HTHS viscosity to meet the manufacturer's fuel economy requirements. These oils are only suitable for the following engines: N1x, N2x, N54, N55, N63, N74.

BMW Longlife-04 (BMW LL-04)
Fully synthetic long-life oil, special BMW approval. Viscosities are SAE 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 and 5W-40. Usually required for BMWs equipped with diesel particulate filters (DPF). Can also be used where BMW Longlife-98 or BMW Longlife-01 is recommended.

BMW Longlife-12 (BMW LL-12)
Special engine oil only for certain approved petrol engines and the following diesel engines: Nx7K1, Nx7U1, Nx7O1 from model year 2013. Not suitable for engines with 2 or 3 turbochargers.

BMW Longlife-14 + (BMW LL-14 +)
Special engine oil only for the following petrol engines: N20, Bx8 from model year 2014. Not approved for diesel engines.

BMW Longlife-17 FE (BMW LL-17 FE)
This specification requires a low SAPS, typically ACEA C5 compliant 0W20 oil. Oils meeting this specification are typically recommended for use in the latest BMW petrol and diesel engines. The base oil is typically from Group IV (polyalphaolefins).

BMW Longlife -22FE++
Recommended for BMW and Mini petrol engines requiring 0w-12.
BMW Longlife-22FE++ engine oils are the minimum requirement for all BMW petrol engines from model year 2023. This oil specification is aimed at the 2023+ B58 and B48 powertrains which also use 48V mild hybrid systems. The ultra-thin viscosity is for efficiency and low engine drag as the 48V system stops and restarts it. It is also designed to be compatible with new coated engine bearings. It should not be considered a high-performance oil with an HTHS as low as 2.0 cP. However, it is too early to say what the alternative might be, especially a high-performance alternative.


 

M-series specifics: When is 10W-60 oil required?

BMW M Division’s high-performance engines operate at extreme engine speeds and temperatures, where standard 5W-30 oil is not sufficient. Many legendary M engines require a special thick 10W-60 fully synthetic oil.

10W-60 is mandatory for the following engines:

• S54 (BMW E46 M3, Z4 M)

• S62 (BMW E39 M5, Z8)

• S65 (BMW E90/E92 M3)

• S85 (BMW E60 M5, E63 M6 V10 engines)

In newer M models (e.g. F80 M3, F10 M5), technology has evolved and thinner oils (0W-40 or 5W-30) are used instead. Always check the sticker under the hood or the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

 

What does “TwinPower Turbo” mean on an oil canister?

BMW original oils often carry the label “TwinPower Turbo”. This is BMW’s marketing name for its engine technology and does not mean that the car must have two turbochargers. The oil is perfectly suitable for BMW engines with a single turbo or even naturally aspirated engines, as long as the viscosity and BMW Longlife specification (e.g. LL-04) match.

Since 2015, BMW’s official oil partner has been Shell (PurePlus technology), which means BMW original oils are produced from natural gas, ensuring exceptional base oil purity and stability.

Not sure which oil is right for your car? Don’t take risks! Use our oil finder, enter your vehicle details, and we’ll find you a 100% suitable, manufacturer-approved oil.

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