BMW X3 Oil Type & Capacity
Exact oil spec, capacity, and filter for every BMW X3 engine — E83, F25, and G01 generations. BMW approvals explained.
⚡ Quick Answer: What Oil Does a BMW X3 Take?
2018-2024 (G01) xDrive30i
0W-20 Synthetic
BMW LL-17 FE+ | 5.1 qt
2011-2017 (F25) xDrive28i
5W-30 Synthetic
BMW LL-01 | 4.75 qt
2004-2010 (E83) 2.5si/3.0si
5W-30 Synthetic
BMW LL-01 | 6.9 qt
This vehicle's factory manual
The oil spec is above. Open the factory book for your X3's year if you need the drain procedure or the exact engine.
📋 BMW Oil Approval Specs Explained
BMW LL-01
Long Life 01 — BMW's standard spec for most gasoline engines. Requires full synthetic. Common brands: Castrol Edge 0W-30, Liqui-Moly 0W-40, Motul 8100.
BMW LL-04
Long Life 04 — Low SAPS (low sulfated ash, phosphorus, sulfur) for diesel engines with DPF filters. Do NOT use in gasoline engines.
BMW LL-17 FE+
Long Life 17 — Fuel Economy spec for newer B-series engines (2018+). Thinner 0W-20 viscosity. LL-01 oil is NOT a valid substitute in these engines.
BMW X3 G01 (3rd Gen) — 2018-2024
| Engine | Oil Type | BMW Spec | Capacity | Drain Plug | Interval | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
xDrive30i / sDrive30i (B48) 2.0L 4-cyl Turbo | 0W-20 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-17 FE+ | 5.1 qt (with filter) | 27 ft-lbs | 10,000 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
M40i (B58) 3.0L 6-cyl Turbo | 0W-30 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-01 | 6.9 qt (with filter) | 19 ft-lbs | 10,000 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
💡 Tips for G01 (3rd Gen):
- •The B48 engine requires BMW LL-17 FE+ spec — standard LL-01 oils are NOT compatible
- •Oil level indicator on dash is your guide — do not rely only on mileage
- •BMW Condition Based Service (CBS) resets automatically after oil change on most models
BMW X3 F25 (2nd Gen) — 2011-2017
| Engine | Oil Type | BMW Spec | Capacity | Drain Plug | Interval | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
xDrive28i (N20) 2.0L 4-cyl Turbo | 5W-30 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-01 | 4.75 qt (with filter) | 18 ft-lbs | 10,000 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
xDrive35i (N55) 3.0L 6-cyl Turbo | 0W-40 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-01 | 6.9 qt (with filter) | 19 ft-lbs | 10,000 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
xDrive28d (N47) 2.0L 4-cyl Diesel | 5W-30 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-04 | 5.8 qt (with filter) | 18 ft-lbs | 12,500 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
💡 Tips for F25 (2nd Gen):
- •N20 and N55 engines use BMW LL-01 spec — Castrol Edge, Motul 8100, or Liqui-Moly Synthoil recommended
- •Diesel N47 requires LL-04 spec (low SAPS) — do NOT use LL-01 in a diesel
- •Oil filter is a spin-off canister style — replace it every oil change
BMW X3 E83 (1st Gen) — 2004-2010
| Engine | Oil Type | BMW Spec | Capacity | Drain Plug | Interval | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2.5si / 3.0si (N52) 2.5L / 3.0L 6-cyl | 5W-30 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-01 | 6.9 qt (with filter) | 25 ft-lbs | 10,000 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
3.0d / 3.0sd (M57) 3.0L 6-cyl Diesel | 5W-30 Full Synthetic | BMW LL-04 | 7.4 qt (with filter) | 25 ft-lbs | 12,500 miles / 1 year | Find Oil |
💡 Tips for E83 (1st Gen):
- •The N52 is a naturally-aspirated 6-cyl — very reliable if maintained with correct LL-01 spec oil
- •E83 uses traditional spin-on oil filter cartridge in the engine
- •Valvoline, Pennzoil Platinum, and Castrol are all acceptable LL-01 brands
⭐ Recommended Oils for BMW X3
Castrol Edge 0W-30
BMW LL-01 Approved
OEM fill for many BMW engines. Excellent shear stability.
Shop on Amazon →
Liqui-Moly Synthoil 0W-40
BMW LL-01 Approved
German brand, top rated by BMW enthusiasts globally.
Shop on Amazon →
Motul 8100 X-clean 5W-30
BMW LL-04 Approved (Diesel)
For X3 diesel models (xDrive28d/30d). Low SAPS formula.
Shop on Amazon →
❓ BMW X3 Oil Change FAQs
What oil does a BMW X3 take?
BMW X3 oil type depends on the engine: 2018+ xDrive30i (B48) uses 0W-20 LL-17 FE+ spec. 2011-2017 xDrive28i (N20) and xDrive35i (N55) use 5W-30 or 0W-40 LL-01 spec. 2004-2010 E83 models use 5W-30 LL-01. Diesel variants require LL-04 spec oil.
Can I use 5W-30 instead of 0W-20 in my BMW X3?
For 2018+ B48 engines, no — they require BMW LL-17 FE+ spec (0W-20). Using 5W-30 LL-01 in a B48 can void your warranty and affect fuel economy. For F25 N20 engines, 5W-30 LL-01 is the correct spec.
How many quarts of oil does a BMW X3 take?
Oil capacity depends on the engine. The B48 2.0L (2018+) holds 5.1 quarts. The N55 3.0L holds 6.9 quarts. The N20 2.0L (F25) holds 4.75 quarts. The E83 N52 6-cyl holds 6.9 quarts. Always verify by checking the dipstick after filling.
How often should I change oil on a BMW X3?
BMW recommends 10,000-mile or annual oil changes for gasoline engines (whichever comes first), and up to 12,500 miles for diesel models. However, many BMW mechanics recommend 7,500-mile intervals for vehicles in stop-and-go traffic or extreme conditions.
What oil filter does a BMW X3 use?
Filter part numbers vary by generation: G01 B48 uses BMW #11428583898, F25 N20/N55 use BMW #11428507683, and E83 N52 uses BMW #11427512300. Third-party brands like Mann or Mahle are OEM suppliers and acceptable alternatives.
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