Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10w-60 meets BMW M requirements

[aussiem3]

Shell Australia is showing this. Look at the bottom of the page with reference to BMW M.

http://www.shell.com.au/products-ser...ra-racing.html

[gatorfast]

Cool. But why switch from TWS?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Cool. But why switch from TWS?

Because shell is the new oil contract for bmw in 2015.

[pbonsalb]

Amazing. And some thought the S65 was designed to run only TWS.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Because shell is the new oil contract for bmw in 2015.

This.

People haven't been paying attention.

[aussiem3]

This goes to show Castrol TWS 10w-60 was not the magic formula for BMW M cars. Any oil that met API SN/CF; ACEA A3/B3/B4 specification was fine. BMW and Castrol took everyone for a good ride and made a lot of money.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

This goes to show Castrol TWS 10w-60 was not the magic formula for BMW M cars. Any oil that met API SN/CF; ACEA A3/B3/B4 specification was fine. BMW and Castrol took everyone for a good ride and made a lot of money.

I am not sure I understand this post.

Castrol was BMW's exclusive oil/lubricant provider. Oil companies design their oils to meet manufacturer requirements. This is how a lubricant becomes designated OEM. This was the Castrol TWS 10w-60 for the M3.

Now BMW has awarded the contract to Shell. They have in turn developed an oil that meets the manufactures’ specifications and is designated OEM for the M3.

It's not simply the generic API designations on the side of the container that matter. Will your engine explode if you use another non-OEM designated oil?, no, but it gives BMW an excuse to attribute engine issues to the use of said non-OEM oil.

[FogCityM3]

Think the question is whether Shell is developing something new for the S65 and S85 or they are just using the same formulation 10w-60 that they have always been using (for Ferrari, etc). We'll see if the formulation specs change as this oil was available prior to the partnership change with BMW.

Originally Posted by m3ray

I am not sure I understand this post.

Castrol was BMW's exclusive oil/lubricant provider. Oil companies design their oils to meet manufacturer requirements. This is how a lubricant becomes designated OEM. This was the Castrol TWS 10w-60 for the M3.

Now BMW has awarded the contract to Shell. They have in turn developed an oil that meets the manufactures’ specifications and is designated OEM for the M3.

It's not simply the generic API designations on the side of the container that matter. Will your engine explode if you use another non-OEM designated oil?, no, but it gives BMW an excuse to attribute engine issues to the use of said non-OEM oil.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Think the question is whether Shell is developing something new for the S65 and S85 or they are just using the same formulation 10w-60 that they have always been using (for Ferrari, etc). We'll see if the formulation specs change as this oil was available prior to the partnership change with BMW.

Good point. But keep in mind if the BMW states this oil meets their criteria then Shell wouldn't have to develop a new oil formulation just for the M and it would get the OEM designation.

I think there is a difference though between the new oil for the M3 (which is Shell Pennzoil) and the one in use for Ferrari and other race applications, (which is Shell Helix). Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Shell Pennzoil
http://lubematch.shell.com/us/en_US/...ries_EFt8Pj6D3

Shell Helix
http://www.shell.com/global/products...ing-10w60.html

[aussiem3]

Why would you want to develop a new oil when all the NA engines carrying M cars are out of warranty. Even when the cars were under warranty it was hard to get BMW fix bearing issues, do you think they care anymore now. I am sure it's the same 10w-60 for universal application. I don't think M engine are more special or exotic campered to Ferrari engines. I don't think M engines are going to blow up just because you use Shell's 10w-60.

[m3ray]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

Why would you want to develop a new oil when all the NA engines carrying M cars are out of warranty. Even when the cars were under warranty it was hard to get BMW fix bearing issues, do you think they care anymore now. I am sure it's the same 10w-60 for universal application. I don't think M engine are more special or exotic campered to Ferrari engines. I don't think M engines are going to blow up just because you use Shell's 10w-60.

Well first they are required to continue OEM production for 10 years after the last production date. So cars coming out of warranty is not relevant.

Second, I linked two separate oils above, so unless you are saying its the same oil just in two different containers or what are you saying?

You seem to be upset over something. Maybe have both oils tested and prove its a scam

[djdiplomat]

I asked one of the techs (15+ years) at my local BMW dealer about the oil supplier change and he confirmed they will be however the M3/M5 engines will still use Castrol. I guess time will tell.

[e92ben]

I'm sticking with the old TWS...
Audi uses it for the R8 also lol cheaper to buy thru Audi dealer

[FogCityM3]

Good find. Was the 10w-60 (Pennzoil) an approved oil all along given the Pennzoil doc is dated 2009? Interesting if it was.

Originally Posted by m3ray

Good point. But keep in mind if the BMW states this oil meets their criteria then Shell wouldn't have to develop a new oil formulation just for the M and it would get the OEM designation.

I think there is a difference though between the new oil for the M3 (which is Shell Pennzoil) and the one in use for Ferrari and other race applications, (which is Shell Helix). Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Shell Pennzoil
http://lubematch.shell.com/us/en_US/...ries_EFt8Pj6D3

Shell Helix
http://www.shell.com/global/products...ing-10w60.html

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by FogCityM3

Good find. Was the 10w-60 (Pennzoil) an approved oil all along given the Pennzoil doc is dated 2009? Interesting if it was.

That's also my point. I don't know whether it's the same with Shell. Was it there before, or did it appear after the new deal with BMW was signed.

[nick3753]

Originally Posted by e92ben

I'm sticking with the old TWS...
Audi uses it for the R8 also lol cheaper to buy thru Audi dealer

Tell me about it. Was on my way to Carson city NV from fresno ca and add qt warning came on. Stopped at niello BMW near Sacramento. $20 per quart!

[SenorFunkyPants]

"Recommended, approved and meets requirements"...is not the same thing in this context. Meeting a set of industry standards doesn't automatically make one oil identical to another.
I suspect the Castrol 10W60 will remain the recommended oil (for the S65), while the Shell 10W60 will be elevated to "approved".

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

"Recommended, approved and meets requirements"...is not the same thing in this context. Meeting a set of industry standards doesn't automatically make one oil identical to another.
I suspect the Castrol 10W60 will remain the recommended oil (for the S65), while the Shell 10W60 will be elevated to "approved".

[maicol76]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

"Recommended, approved and meets requirements"...is not the same thing in this context. Meeting a set of industry standards doesn't automatically make one oil identical to another.
I suspect the Castrol 10W60 will remain the recommended oil (for the S65), while the Shell 10W60 will be elevated to "approved".

"approved" = money that oil company give to BMW for testing oil performance, and no more.

[JEllis]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

"Recommended, approved and meets requirements"...is not the same thing in this context. Meeting a set of industry standards doesn't automatically make one oil identical to another.
I suspect the Castrol 10W60 will remain the recommended oil (for the S65), while the Shell 10W60 will be elevated to "approved".

I doubt it. The partnership Shell has with BMW is worth a lot of money. No doubt dealerships will make the switch to Shell products and those of you still under BMW free maintenance programs will be getting Shell oil.

[kawasaki00]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

"Recommended, approved and meets requirements"...is not the same thing in this context. Meeting a set of industry standards doesn't automatically make one oil identical to another.
I suspect the Castrol 10W60 will remain the recommended oil (for the S65), while the Shell 10W60 will be elevated to "approved".

Originally Posted by aussiem3

Pretty much a pickle, talked to my buddie who is the general manager of our area. Said the Castrol will remain approved just like always but they will not be able to sell it from the dealership. The Shell contract will not allow a competing oil in the same building. I asked him about the Shell oil for the M cars and they were told no news yet on what it will be.

[SenorFunkyPants]

Its a funny one for Shell, I'm betting they would probably prefer not to have to be the "recommended" oil for those M engines with a poor bearing reliability history - you can imagine that this is going to go badly for them...S65 M3s switch to Shell and coincidentally the failure rate goes up as more and more M3s hit high mileages - regulars owners are going to put 2 and 2 together and get 5.
But Shell no doubt "bought" the contract to supply BMW and would have been obliged to take whatever clauses BMW dictated. From BMW's side they want as few types of oil (and oil weights) as possible to carry as stock.
I doubt Castrol could care less about supplying 10W60, its a weight that is totally out of date and out of step with the market push to low weight oils (the new Ford engine produces 125bhp/ltr on 5W20 oil - I bet that needed some major designing to make reliable)