What grade of engine oil is used for the BMW 325?
3 Answers
BMW 325 uses fully synthetic engine oil with a viscosity grade of 40. The BMW 325 is equipped with a turbocharged engine, which has very high requirements for engine oil. During operation, the pressure and temperature inside the cylinders of this engine are relatively high, so it requires higher-quality engine oil for lubrication and heat dissipation. Over time, the performance of engine oil degrades, so it is essential to change the oil regularly. The BMW 325 is a sporty sedan under the BMW brand, known for its powerful performance, solid chassis, and top-notch handling, featuring a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The car's dimensions are 4520mm in length, 1817mm in width, and 1421mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2760mm.
Last time I took my BMW 325 for maintenance, I specifically researched the engine oil specifications. Models equipped with GPF particulate filters must use low-ash oil with BMW LL-17FE+ or LL-12FE certification, otherwise it may clog the exhaust system. The dealership typically uses 0W-20 or 5W-30 viscosity, but the key is to look for ACEA C5 or C3 certification. For frequent highway driving like mine, the technician recommended 5W-30 for better high-temperature protection. I also noticed a detail during maintenance: older models with 'LL-04' stamped on the oil cap actually require higher viscosity 5W-40 oil, which many owners often confuse. I remember my neighbor overlooked this once and got an engine warning light after just 3,000 kilometers.
Choosing engine oil for the BMW 325 depends on the model year. My friend's 2020 facelifted G20 chassis with the B48 engine requires low-viscosity 0W-20 oil (BMW Longlife-17FE+ certification), which improves fuel efficiency by nearly 8% compared to older models. However, three key points must be noted: it must carry API SP/GF-6A certification; vehicles with particulate filters absolutely cannot use high-ash A3B4 oil; and in northern winters, 0W-grade oil is essential. Personally, I've compared and found that Mobil ESP and Shell Advance Asia 0W-20 both meet the standards, resulting in noticeably smoother throttle response after the change. In contrast, the older F30 with the N20 engine requires 5W-30 oil—don't get this mixed up.
