[Vindicator3]

Having driven Hondas/Acuras for over 30 years, I'm learning a few things as I await my new 540i. What else am I missing that those new to BMW might not expect coming from other marques?

1) BMW brand motor oil without a standard viscosity rating, really? I mean, Honda "wanted" you to buy Honda-brand oil, but nobody did. They specified 5w20 or 5w30 or whatever and I could go buy Mobil 1 or Valvoline or whatever. Now all I have for a spec is Longlife-22 Fe++, whatever the heck that means. Does everyone just suck it up and buy the BMW oil?

2) My G60 won't have a dipstick and I'm supposed to wait for an indicator light to add oil? The oil indicator on Hondas was an emergency signal, not to be used for regular maintenance - I just checked the oil with the dipstick once a month. The idea of waiting for the computer to tell me to add oil makes me nervous. Of course, on my prior cars I rarely had to add oil between changes until they hit 100,000 miles or so and I hope my new 540 will be likewise.

3) Special "Star" marked tires? Are these available at independent tire dealers and discount chains or only via a dealer?

4) What else am I blissfully unaware of as a newb which I will soon learn is different when it comes to caring for and maintaining my BMW compared to previous non-BMWs?

[tracknut]

Regarding the tires, BMW's star is not unique among auto brands, several others have their own similar brand-unique designation. You can get them at Tire Rack, etc.

[tturedraider]

1) BMW motor oil has viscosity ratings and you don’t have to buy BMW oil. The viscosity is pretty low these days. Like 0W-20 or so. You need to do more research if you’re coming up with BMW oil not having any viscosity rating. It’s not uncommon to be able to buy the appropriate European rated oil at Wally World. But, the fact is BMW oil from the dealer is not much more than at other retailers. Just to be sure, you are aware BMW will do your oil changes for the first three years, right?

2) Yes, it’s stupid that BMW (and many others, including Porsche and Mercedes, and probably Audi) doesn’t have dipsticks anymore. But, you don’t have to wait for the sensor to tell you to add oil. You can check the oil level with the iDrive system anytime you want. I can’t recall ever reading a report of a catastrophic oil level sensor failure.

3) Buying “Star” tires is not a requirement. Unless you are leasing and need new tires before you turn in the car. There are plenty of non-BMW Star tires that are perfectly acceptable for your BMW.

[celsdogg]

Originally Posted by tracknut

Regarding the tires, BMW's star is not unique among auto brands, several others have their own similar brand-unique designation. You can get them at Tire Rack, etc.

yep. I actually put benz tires on the F30 and found them at Tire Rack.

As for oil, there is a lot more to selecting what to run other than viscosity, such as API category. BMW LL-XX is just another one. In all my years I have very rarely bought BMW's branded oil, there are lots of other oils that meet the requirements.

[DanG]

BMW Oil is Castrol Oil if I remember correctly. Previously it was Shell Oil.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by DanG

BMW Oil is Castrol Oil if I remember correctly. Previously it was Shell Oil.

The other way around. Used to be Castrol. Now Shell.

[Bc2005]

It’s a good idea to use the iDrive oil level check about once a month, since it seems to get flaky once the oil level is around 2 quarts low. I had an oil leak on the filter housing seal and lost two quarts in less than a day. I knew it was low, but could not get a reading from iDrive.

The iDrive oil level check function would just quit at about 80% of the check, until I put are least one quart in and got the oil up closer to normal.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The other way around. Used to be Castrol. Now Shell.

I thought I read that they were switching back to Castrol. But it seems that they just signed an extension with Shell.

[pbonsalb]

My 2018 M5 is rated LL-01FE for oil. FE stands for fuel efficiency. I use regular LL-01 oil, which is common BMW spec outside of the US. I also would not hesitate to put non-BMW Star spec tires on my BMWs and usually do, though I make sure the load spec is correct. The mist important thing is finding a good mechanic if you do not want to pay high dealer prices for work. I mostly DIY.

[Vindicator3]

Thanks, all. Yes, we have a couple of very well-thought-of local BMW-specialist independent mechanics I can use once the free maintenance period is over.

[BMWCCA1]

I've owned BMWs for over 50-years and sold them as a profession for nearly 47-years. My first encounter with the Star-branded tires was when a customer who was notoriously cheap took his E34 to the local Michelin dealer and came back with his four new tires complaining of a handling or "feel" issue with his car. I checked for the star and, when not seeing it, checked the sidewall for a description of the tire construction. Even though it was the same style of Michelin as what came off the car as OE, and even though it had the same speed-rating, the construction description molded into the sidewall showed two-fewer plies in the sidewall on the non-star Michelin (four plies versus six). Obviously enough of a difference to change the slip-angle of the car when using the non-star tire. He took it back to the local Michelin dealer and they got him the correct starred Michelins and was happy again.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

I've owned BMWs for over 50-years and sold them as a profession for nearly 47-years. My first encounter with the Star-branded tires was when a customer who was notoriously cheap took his E34 to the local Michelin dealer and came back with his four new tires complaining of a handling or "feel" issue with his car. I checked for the star and, when not seeing it, checked the sidewall for a description of the tire construction. Even though it was the same style of Michelin as what came off the car as OE, and even though it had the same speed-rating, the construction description molded into the sidewall showed two-fewer plies in the sidewall on the non-star Michelin (four plies versus six). Obviously enough of a difference to change the slip-angle of the car when using the non-star tire. He took it back to the local Michelin dealer and they got him the correct starred Michelins and was happy again.

Very interesting and good information!! I must admit that never would have occurred to me.

[Spydrman]

Hi,
I am new here.
I recently bought a 2025 X5 40i M for my wife.
We are considering buying a X5 M too. Do you know what suspension is with the M? do you know where to look at the site? I wanted to see if people had problems with the more sophisticated version. I think it has an air component.
We just got rid of a 2012 Mercedes that lots of problems with the air suspension once it was a couple of years old. I do not want any of those issues.

[Spydrman]

Hi,
I am new here I recently bought a 2025 X5 40i M for my wife.
We are considering buying a X5 M too.

Do you know what suspension is with the M? Do you know where to look at the site? I wanted to see if people had problems with the more sophisticated version. I think it has an air component.