You guys are focused on wrong things. I have seen here talk about oxidation, rust etc. Truth is that BMW LL approvals have extremely stringent oxidation requirements(and when I say extremely, it is impossible to emphasize it). That is bcs. emphasis is on OCI. Latest update of BMW LL approvals(2018) increased oxidation requirements and that increase eliminated most 0W oils such as Castrol, Mobil1 etc. Usual suspects.
However, we are here talking track, and grade actually should be secondary thing. The most important thing on the track and any performance vehicle is High-Temperature/High-Shear(HTHS). HTHS is resistance of oil to temporary or permanent loss of viscosity at 150c. Higher HTHS, better resistance. BMW TPT 0W30 has HTHS of 3.1. That is HTHS of oil that is made for one purpose: fuel efficiency. Ideally, on track in an engine like S55 one wants HTHS of 3.7 and up to 4.5. 3.7 is Castrol 0W40, Valvoline European Vehicle 5W40. 4.5 is Redline 5W40. Now, some oils have high KV100(kinematic viscosity at 100c) but not that robust HTHS. That tells us that oil is probably Group III base stock. For example, previous version of Castrol Edge 5W40 had KV100 14.2, HTHS 3.7. At the same time Edge 0W40 had KV100 13.1 and HTHS 3.7. So, thinner oil, but same HTHS, compliments of Group IV base stocks. Or, Motul 5W40 300V(racing oil) has KV100 13.5 and HTHS 4. You get picture where I am going.
So on track, considering temperatures, W40 is always better option than W30 bcs. HTHS. IMO, those who track a lot should go Motul 5W40 Sport, or 300V. It is oil, it is lifeblood of an engine! I have seen on track people destroying rod bearings bcs. oil could not handle temperature. Oil is cheap, engine is not.
Motul LL01FE will be in rank of ACEA A5. I would not say it is any better or worse than TPT. TPT in fact is really good oil, and unlike what some people say, it is specifically made for BMW(it is not repackaged Pennzoil/Shell). But, IMO, HTHS of around 3 is really low for these vehicles. I personally would run LL01FE only if I was doing trips where I cannot reach operating oil temperature, so short trips.
Redline is completely different animal and one has to be careful about Redline. It is exceptional oil for track use. It has 70-80% Ester base stock. It is obvious as HTHS is around 4.5, but KV100 is 15.4. For example, Mobil1 achieves that HTHS in their 15W50 oil with KV100 18. What does that mean? It means lower quality base stock, a lot of viscosity modifiers, polymers etc.
But, there is downside to Redline, same like to Motul 300V. Esters are oxidizing fast. So, running those oils longer than 3k or 5k(I would definitely do UOA at 3k first) will push TAN too far. When TAN passes remaining TBN that is when sludge can happen. If you run Redline, or Motul 300V, do 3k UOA and see where you are with TBN and TAN. If TAN passes TBN or it is very close, probably 3K is limit(But, UOA I have seen in some Corvette's 5K is probably safe limit).
Another good oil is Motul 5W40 Sport. It has less Esters and more PAO to control oxidation. So think about that oil too as there are advantages to oils that are more“street” like. If you drive your car to daycare(like I do) 5 days a week, then you hit track once a week or month, I would go definitely something like Motul Sport and not 300V.
Redline might be good option too. I like Redline bcs. all their performance series has same base stock. So if you run 5W40 in summer, running 5W30 in winter wouldn’t mix different additives and base stocks.
There is also case to be made for Motul 5W40 300V, though it is basically racing oil. KV100 is 13.5 while HTHS is 4. That means less parasitic drag in engine compared to Redline=better engine performance.
So your choice, but whatever you choose of these oils for track, you definitely should not worry about oil performance.
Motul xcess 5w40 or liqui moly leichtlauf 5w40 for a daily / light track use?
Motul has new Gen2 line up. It is Group III based but it“packs the punch.” However, unless you are going for LL01, I would go their 5W40 Sport line up for street/track use.
I am no fan of Liqui Moly. IMO, mediocre oils that are overhyped bcs. Made in Germany. I worked in“previous “ life on oil testing and they were always a lot of talk and not much to deliver. Literally all Euro oils available in Wal Mart are of better performance.
No track at all. Just hard daily driver right now with two or four 60-130 highway races each weekend of good weather. A sprint can rev me to 7200 because I need to hold 4th gear.
What would you use for this hard street use to change at 5K mile intervals?
That is not hard on engine. Few days ago I retrofitted oil cooler from E90 335 to my N52 for track use. Since it was cold, I had to run high rpms for a long time in order to check whether it is working properly. I hold rpms at 6,500 for 20min in second gear on local hwy.
I would stick in that case to regular oils due to detergent and anti-oxidation properties. You can run Castrol Edge 0W40 if out of warranty. If still under warranty, Motul X-Cess 5W40 Gen2 is good. Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 is very good oil(usually on sale in local Advance Auto Parts for $33 for 5qt). Another oil that people neglect, but it is very good is Valvoline 5W40 European Vehicle. IMO all better than anything Liqiu Moly.
If you get tempted with Mobil1 0W40, do not get it. It is exceptional oil, but I would not use it in DI engine due to very high sulfated ash level, which is culprit behind CBU.
When you do occasionally some drag races or track, you want to look for oil that has Porsche A40 approval bcs. it simulates 5hrs of Nurburgring run.
Another engine oil thread (F80 Bimmerworld forums)