What Is The Best Oil For A BMW?

With its well-designed, sleek, and gorgeous automobiles, the German luxury automaker BMW has grown to be one of the top luxury brands. BMW owners value their vehicles and work hard to keep them in good condition. It is critical for the longevity of automobile engines to use the proper type of motor oil. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of the best BMW oil to use.

Fully synthetic oil is the best motor oil for BMW vehicles. Remember to consult the owner’s manual or your BMW dealer to ensure that you have the correct motor oil. Here are some of BMW’s most popular cars and Sports Activity Vehicles (SAV), along with their Series, Model, Generation, and most recent (last) model year:

BMW 3 Series, 328i, F30, 2016:

All Season – SAE 10W-40/50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-40/50/60
Summer – SAE 20W-40/50/60

BMW 2 Series, 228i, F22, 2021:

All Season – SAE 5W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60

BMW 3 Series, 335i, F30, 2019:

All Season – SAE 10W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 20W-50/60

BMW 3 Series, 330i, F30/G20, 2021:

All Season – SAE 5W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60

BMW X Series, X3, G01, 2021:

All Season – SAE 5W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60

BMW X Series, X5, G05, 2021:

All Season – SAE 5W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60

Why is synthetic oil used? What synthetic oil is recommended for these BMW vehicles? How often should these popular BMWs have their oil changed? How many quarts of oil are required, and how much does an oil change cost? We’ve done the research and have the answers to these and other similar questions. Continue reading to find out more.

Why are BMWs equipped with synthetic oil?

BMW has been designing and hand-building high-performance engines for speed and smooth riding since 1916, when they designed and hand-built their first engine in Munich, Germany. Today’s engines are meticulously crafted, and synthetic oil is used to keep the valves lubricated against friction and grit. The viscosity of synthetic oil is designed to remain constant in colder temperatures.

What Is Synthetic Oil?

The synthetic oil keeps the engines running smoothly at high speeds or under stressful conditions. The majority of synthetic oil is created in laboratories, chemical by chemical, with petroleum-based components. BMW makes synthetic oil from natural gas using Pennzoil’s “PurePlus Technology.”

BMW Impurities are lower in full synthetic oils than in synthetic blends (which include petroleum). Full synthetic oils cost more than synthetic blends. Full synthetic oil is recommended by BMW.

What Is the Synthetic Oil Descriptor All About?

SAE on motor oil refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers. The letters in an oil, such as SAE 15W-50, indicate:

15 – At startup, the temperature at which the oil performs best. The lower the number, the better the oil performs in cold temperatures.
The letter “W” stands for Weather.
The “50” indicates the viscosity of the oil under normal operating conditions. The thicker the oil, the higher the number.

Can You Put Any Synthetic Oil In Your BMW?

The quick answer is yes. You can use any brand of synthetic oil as long as you look for the correct SAE designation for your BMW’s motor oil. The complication stems from BMW’s collaboration with Shell Oil (Royal Dutch Petroleum), whose brand Pennzoil developed the PurePlus Technology to make synthetic oil from natural gas. Other synthetic oils are derived from petroleum products.

Why Does BMW Suggestion Three Types of Synthetic Oil?

BMW recommends an All Season oil, which is the best option if your climate isn’t too extreme. If you have hot, hot summers and cold, cold winters, it may be best to use a Winter synthetic oil and then switch to a synthetic oil designed for hot weather in the spring.

What Oil Brands Do BMW Dealers Use?

BMW Dealers primarily use BMW’s original Twin Power Turbo engine oil, which is marketed as BMW Advantec synthetic oil or Genuine BMW Engine. BMW switched from Castrol Oil (British Petroleum) to Shell Oil in 2015 for the production of its proprietary synthetic motor oil.

Pennzoil, a subsidiary of Shell Oil, is a sponsor of BMW Motorsports. Pennzoil products may be available at some BMW dealerships for your oil change.

How much oil does a BMW vehicle require?

The best way to find out how many quarts of synthetic oil your BMW requires is to consult the owner’s manual. This will give you a general idea as we look at these specific models by year:

2016 BMW 328i, F30 – 5.3 quarts
2021 BMW 228i, F22 – 5.3 quarts
2019 BMW 335i, F30 – 6.9 quarts
2021 BMW 330i, F30/G20 – 5.6 quarts
2021 BMW X3, G01 – 6.1 quarts
2021 BMW X5, G05 – 6.9 quarts

The BMW 328i’s Synthetic Oil Needs

BMW originally designated models based on their engine requirements, so the 3 series with the 2.8-liter engine became the 328i. The 3 Series 328i was then split into two models in 2014, with the larger Saloon and Touring models remaining in the 3 Series and the Coup and Convertible joining the 4 Series. The 328i was produced to its final year in 2016. It will take 5.3 quarts of oil:

All-Weather – SAE 5W-50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60

The BMW 228i’s Synthetic Oil Needs

BMW’s 4 Series now includes the 228i and 228i xDrive Gran Coupe. The 228i now refers to 228 horsepower rather than the 2.8-liter engine size. They will require 5.3 quarts of oil:

All Season – SAE 5W50/60
Winter – SAE 0W-50/60
Summer – SAE 15W-50/60