BMW 3 Series Engine Oil — Grade, Capacity & Recommendations (2019-2024)
Oil Specification by Engine
| Engine | Oil grade | BMW specification | Capacity (inc. filter) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (320i / 330i / M340i) | 5W-30 | BMW LL-01 | check handbook |
| Diesel (320d / 330d) | 5W-30 | BMW LL-04 | ~5.2 L |
BMW’s newest fuel-economy engines may instead specify 0W-20 to BMW LL-17 FE+ — check your iDrive service menu or owner’s manual. Capacities vary by engine; confirm by VIN.
Not sure which spec you need? Your BMW shows the required oil in the iDrive service menu, and the engine code is in section D.2 of your V5C.
Recommended Engine Oils
Petrol — 5W-30, BMW LL-01
Castrol EDGE 5W-30 LL
Meets BMW Longlife-01; suited to BMW turbo petrol engines.
Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30 (BMW LL-01)
Full-synthetic 5W-30 carrying BMW LL-01 approval.
Any 5W-30 listing BMW LL-01
Any oil that lists the BMW LL-01 approval suits the petrol engines.
Diesel — 5W-30, BMW LL-04
Castrol EDGE 5W-30 M (BMW LL-04)
Low-SAPS 5W-30 carrying BMW LL-04 for diesels with a DPF.
Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 5W-30 (LL-04)
5W-30 meeting BMW LL-04 / ACEA C3 to protect the diesel DPF.
BMW LL-01, LL-04 and LL-17 FE+ — Which Does Your 3 Series Need?
BMW specifies oil by its Longlife (LL) system. Petrol engines use 5W-30 LL-01 (mid-SAPS, ACEA A3/B4). Diesel engines with a DPF use 5W-30 LL-04 (low-SAPS, ACEA C3) — essential to keep the filter clear. BMW’s latest modular engines move to a thinner 0W-20 LL-17 FE+; this is not backward-compatible, so confirm via iDrive or the handbook before using it.
Oil Change Intervals
BMW’s condition-based servicing (CBS) can stretch to ~2 years or 18,000–24,000 miles, calculated by the car. Many owners halve this (12 months / ~9,000–10,000 miles) to protect the timing chain, turbo and (on diesels) the DPF.
Tip: always reset the CBS counter and fit a new filter with the oil.
How to Check Your Oil Level
Step 1: Park on level ground and wait at least 5 minutes after turning off the engine.
Step 2: Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, reinsert fully, then remove again to read the level.
Step 3: The oil level should be between the minimum and maximum marks. Top up in small amounts if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine oil does a BMW 3 Series take?
Petrol engines use 5W-30 to BMW LL-01; diesels use 5W-30 to BMW LL-04. The newest engines may use 0W-20 LL-17 FE+ — check your iDrive service menu.
What is the difference between BMW LL-01 and LL-04?
LL-01 is the mid-SAPS petrol spec; LL-04 is the low-SAPS diesel spec that protects the DPF. They are not interchangeable — always use the one for your engine.
Can I use 0W-20 in my BMW?
Only if your car specifies BMW LL-17 FE+. Most 3 Series engines use 5W-30 (LL-01 petrol / LL-04 diesel); using a thinner oil where it is not approved can harm the engine.
Why does the oil spec matter on a modern BMW?
Modern BMW engines use a Nanoslide bore coating with tight tolerances. An oil with the wrong ash chemistry can erode the coating and raise oil consumption, so the exact LL spec must be matched.
Other Bmw 3 Series Guides
How we check fitment for this guide
We cross-reference fitment figures against manufacturer specifications and OE-supplier catalogue data where available, and matched to the standard codes that actually govern fit — battery type/group sizes, wiper lengths and fitting types, bulb fitment codes, tyre size markings, and oil specifications. We work by make, model, year, engine, and build date, because a single model can take different parts across its life. Where the right part depends on your exact vehicle, we tell you to confirm by registration or VIN. More on our method →