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      10-28-2018, 11:36 AM   #1
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Liquid Moly Oil changes in SoCal

I wanted to start a thread, so BMW M-Car Enthusiasts and beyond can get a quick Liquid Moly oil change and other fluid changes in SoCal without the nightmare of going to a BMW Dealership. Of course Motul, Total Quartz, Redline, AMSOIL, etc. are other oil options.

Add your favorite BMW Indy Shops in SoCal that carry these oil brands along with Mann/Mahle filters in stock.

- Valencia European Motorsports (VEM)
- AutoTalent, Gardena
- RennSport, Torrance
- Bavarian Workshop, West Hills

Liquid Moly makes an auto trans fluid for ZF 8-speed autos, like the one used in my F30 335i.. But there is a catch. You have to replace the entire plastic AT oil pan, since it contains the filter. ZF makes its own LifeGuard AT fluid and oil pan, instead of using the more expensive BMW parts. ZF AT Fluid change procedure is pretty complicated.

For BMWs that require 5w30 oils, the alternative oils you select must meet BMW LongLife-01 standards. The LM 5w30 SpecialTech Oil is LL-01, but few shops carry it, so you have to go with 5w40 Leichtlauf High Tech oil, which is more widely available. Leichtlauf means smooth or light running oil in German. Don't use LM Longtime High Tech 5W-30 that is carried by most shops, since is not LL-01.

For e9x M3s, the oil rating does not use the BMW LongLife-01 spec. The API SJ or SK spec. is used based on the BMW M3 service manual.
S = Spark Plug Engine (vs. Diesel). The letter J, K, L is incremented as the standard advances over time and is backward compatible. So L is better than J or K. LM 10w60 GT-1 is API SL, which exceeds the API SJ/SK spec. recommended by BMW.

M3 LSD uses expensive BMW fluid ($150 for 3x 500 ml bottles). It has friction modifiers (FM) that makes the operation of the rear diff. quieter.

I can drive up to VEM and get an oil change in 1 hour. It is 10 minutes from where I live. They carry Liquid Moly oils and Mann/Mahle Filters in the shop, plus additives like CeraTec. You can watch the techs from the waiting area. Owner has an F80 M3 and they are enthusiasts. Open 8am-12pm on Saturdays along with M-F hours!! Body shop too for painting small parts like kidney grilles.

AutoTalent is also cool. Call ahead the day before to order the parts and fluid. Open 11am to 7pm M-F. Full high-end customization and maintenance services. Same company as BE Bearings, so they provide expert M3 rod bearing replacement services. BE = Bert & Ernie from Sesame Street.

RennSport is a Porsche specialty shop. 7:00am-6:00pm M-F. One month wait for an appointment. Full BMW diagnostic computers like the dealership for complex diagnostics, service, and repairs.

BMW Dealership is a 2-3 day adventure just for an oil change and they charge $250-450 depending on the weather. BMW oil is junk.

Cheers


Last edited by nyc_dude; 02-02-2019 at 12:44 PM..
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      10-28-2018, 11:51 AM   #2
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      10-28-2018, 01:24 PM   #3
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Rule #1: Don't believe anything you read on the Internet.

Rule #2: Don't believe anything BMW and a BMW Dealership Service Advisor tells you about your car, especially an //M-car.

Decide for yourself what works best for your BMW, based on your experience and budget.


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      10-28-2018, 02:11 PM   #4
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Have any recommendations in South Orange county?
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      10-28-2018, 04:32 PM   #5
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      10-30-2018, 05:21 PM   #6
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Have any recommendations in South Orange county?
MRF Engineering 100%
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      10-30-2018, 06:48 PM   #7
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      10-30-2018, 09:36 PM   #8
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MRF Engineering 100%
I would definitely go there for all M3 stuff since everyone speaks very highly of MRF. The only problem is that I live in the San Gabriel Valley and about an hour away, which is a bit too far for regular maintenance items.
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      10-30-2018, 10:01 PM   #9
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Garage 54 in Glendale, try them out.

Also, OEM BMW oil is probably the best for rod bearing clearance from what I have been reading. Not sure why you think its junk.
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      10-30-2018, 11:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE View Post
MRF Engineering 100%
I would definitely go there for all M3 stuff since everyone speaks very highly of MRF. The only problem is that I live in the San Gabriel Valley and about an hour away, which is a bit too far for regular maintenance items.
Trinity Autosport in Anaheim?
Racewerkz in Burbank?
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      10-30-2018, 11:28 PM   #11
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MRF recommends liqui moly.
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      10-31-2018, 09:56 PM   #12
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MRF recommends liqui moly.
During summer months and other during winter
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      11-01-2018, 03:36 PM   #13
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      11-04-2018, 11:28 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeA View Post
Garage 54 in Glendale, try them out.

Also, OEM BMW oil is probably the best for rod bearing clearance from what I have been reading. Not sure why you think its junk.
Bmw does not make oil they had a contract with Castrol as their supplier but now use shell oil as they no longer associate with Castrol.
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      11-07-2018, 12:48 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by GSTE34 View Post
Bmw does not make oil they had a contract with Castrol as their supplier but now use shell oil as they no longer associate with Castrol.
Yes I know, I said OEM so it doesn’t get mistaken with Shell 10w60 branded oil
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      11-14-2018, 01:21 PM   #16
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Garage 54 in Glendale. 1,000,000%. Ask for Ghery or Vic. Both are exceptional to deal with and provide top notch service. I take my M3 to them for everything and I'm about an hour away. IMHO worth the drive, highly recommended.
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      11-17-2018, 12:09 PM   #17
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One quick update.

I was told that using Liquid Moly and Motul motor oils solves the oil burning problem in M3s and some Porsches. Well that is not the case. My M3 still burns oil (180k miles), even with LM Ceratec. It might be that the rate at which oil burns is slowed due to the additives in these German and French made oils. New valve cover gaskets might also be reducing the oil consumption rate. Leaky VC gaskets are typically the source of higher oil consumption over time in higher mileage M3s.

Where does the burning oil go? Out the tail pipe or into your engine as carbon buildup or sludge? There must be a defect in the oil pump or other engine seals (piston rings or valve seals/seats.

I will have to see if there is an oil burning issue with the 335i N55 loaded with LM 5w40.
M3 oil measuring can be done on the go, but the 335i requires the car to be stationary.

The lower cost of LM/Motul oil changes, and more frequent service intervals (5-7.5k miles), still makes it the optimal choice for BMW and other car owners.


Cheers

Last edited by nyc_dude; 11-17-2018 at 01:07 PM..
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      11-17-2018, 12:11 PM   #18
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All we use here at Trinity Autosport is liquid moly is both street and race applications

In orange
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      11-20-2018, 10:18 PM   #19
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Recently performed Rod Bearing service at MRF and they recommended Liqui-moly.

interesting story about Bmw dealers....

MRF had my m3 stored over night and was getting the RB's swapped the next morning. Well when I picked up the car the shop owner told me that when he did the oil drain my oil came spewing out like anything BUT 10w60.

I told him I got my oil changes at BMW and he told me there have been many times where BMW techs accidentally put the wrong oil specs in cars.....

and...well after that I will never EVER take my car to a Bmw tech AGAIN! anyways.. Liqui-moly seems to be running very nicely in my M, ill probably stick with it.

Not sure if it is just me but it does seem like the oil takes a bit longer to warm up. But who knows.

Cheers
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      11-21-2018, 01:42 AM   #20
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You can also add LM Ceratec as an oil additive. It is a brown liquid, like a cafe latte. Also get a strip of new drain plugs ($2 each).

My last BMW oil change at South Bay BMW was similar to your experience. They charged me $425+ for BMW 10w60. I yelled at the knuckle head SA. When I picked the car up after 3 days I was irate, since they forgot to install the new airbag via recall or even order one. They even complained to me that the oil drain plug was stripped from over tightening. They did all the maintenance work on my car for 9 years. Tried to charge me $25 for a new drain plug, when it cost $3-5 each.

They asked, Do you want new cabin air filters? Sure there is a Spring Special @ $120. They brought up the cost at $320. I brought them for $80 (OEM), and micron air has them for $40 (OE). I just laughed at the SA fool.

Later I looked at the invoice and it showed BMW 5w30 for $400+!!! even though they should know a S65 takes 10w60. New M3/M4s with a S55 use 5w30, for some reason.

Failed oil cooler came after that, so I got BMW 10w60 at a different dealership.

Knuckle heads at Southbay BMW also misdiagnosed a failed fuel pump ($800) as a failed DCT transmission ($15k). I warned them to use PUMA and double check, and they refused.

A few months later, went Indie with new RBs and switched to LM. Same for a new used 335i M-Sport. LM even makes ZF 8-speed AT fluid, which is next. I lucked out and VEMS is 10 minutes from me and they have a full LM oil selection with Mann/Meihle filters. In and out in 45 minutes, no appointment necessary, plus they are open Saturdays. Valencia BMW is 3 blocks away and I drive by as fast as I can.

Bad news is that LM 10w60 doesn't stop oil consumption in the S65. I might try Motul (French) for one interval.

Cheers

Last edited by nyc_dude; 11-21-2018 at 01:51 AM..
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      02-02-2019, 12:59 PM   #21
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For my brothers and sisters in NYC and Long Island...

Bimmer Motors Group Inc., Long Island City (Queens), NY


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      02-02-2019, 01:14 PM   #22
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Stopped by Bavarian Workshop in West Hills, CA (near Thousand Oaks) this week.

They have Liquid Moly Oil in bulk. If you change your own oil and have several BMWs or friend's BMWs in your stable, you can save a little $$$ over time, by getting a 20L or 60L container through a LM distributor or local shop.

- 20L (4-5 Gallon Bottle)
- 60L (Mini Drum)
- 208L (50 Gallon Drum)

Bavarian Workshop also has a special machine to fllush the ZF 6/8 AT fluid, including the torque converter. They don't change the plastic pan with integrated filter ($$$) used on F3x and other models, which saves money. The machine does not use BMW OEM or OE ZF fluid, but uses a proprietary fluid, which is the only reservation.

They are a Dinan Dealer. Lots of nice e46 M3s there as well. Mark, the owner of Bavarian Workshop, is a sponsor of the BMW CCA in SoCal.

Cheers
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