Mobil 1 for my E34

[ALBundy]

I think everyone rightfully has their own opinions and also the decision is solely theirs

Dollar for dollar? Well, I will still stick to my mineral oil with 15W-40 (or 10W-40) rating and yes its multi-grade And I also don't use those additives for my engine. I have seen my cylinder head a couple of times in the past 1 year and its all clean and good so I think sludge built up in pretty minimal.

Here is some write ups about the Castrol GTX mineral oil (which exceeds all the requirements of modern engines)

__________________________________________________________

CASTROL GTX, with its unique shear stable viscosity improvers, exceeds demanding US high shear and stay-in-grade requirements for viscosity breakdown protection.

Far exceed the demanding U.S. requirements for viscosity breakdown in every grade!
Engineered to provide maximum protection against viscosity and thermal breakdown!
Anti-oxidants, detergents and dispersants provide unsurpassed protection against thermal breakdown.
Exceeds passenger car and gasoline light truck requirements for the protection of gasoline and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ or SH is recommended.
Formulated to surpass European engine test and Japanese wear test requirements as well as exceeding engine protection requirements of Ford ESE-M2C153-G and F, GM 6094M, GM 6085M, Chrysler Corporation MS-6395H, Volkswagen 5106, Porsche, Peugeot and Mercedes Benz.
CASTROL GTX 10W-30 is formulated with superior base oils and patented additive technology to provide better protection against volatility burn off than other leading oils. GTX is the only leading conventional 10W-30 that provides this superior protection.
Available Grades
SAE 5W-20: is a premium, multigrade oil, providing cold start protection with Exceptional Fuel Economy. SAE 5W-20 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH, as well as exceeding the requirements of ILSAC GF-3/GF-2 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils. SAE 5W-20 should only be used in vehicles where SAE 5W-20 is recommended by manufacturer.
SAE 5W-30: is a premium, super multigrade that provides maximum cold weather engine protection and can help extend engine life. SAE 5W-30 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH, as well as exceeding the requirements of ILSAC GF-3/GF-2 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards.
SAE 10W-30: is a premium, super multigrade that provides excellent fuel economy and can help extend engine life. SAE 10W-30 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH as well as exceeding the requirements of ILSAC GF-3/GF-2 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards.
SAE 10W-40: is a premium, super multigrade that provides maximum protection in all seasons and can help extend engine life. SAE 10W-40 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH as well as exceeding the engine protection requirements for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.
SAE 20W-50: is a premium, super multigrade that guards against wear by providing a superior oil film strength and extreme high temperature strength. 20W-50 exceeds API service SL, SJ and SH. Also exceeds the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils.
Warranty and Protection Requirements

Castrol GTX exceeds passenger car and light truck manufacturers' warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ or SH is recommended. In every grade, Castrol GTX exceeds the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils. GTX grades are formulated to surpass European engine test and Japanese wear test requirements and also exceeds the engine protection requirements of Ford ESE-M2C153-G and F, GM 6094M, GM 6085M, Chrysler Corporation MS-6395H, Volkswagen 5106, Porsche, Peugeot and Mercedes Benz.

How Castrol GTX delivers Maximum Protection against Viscosity and Thermal Breakdown



The Problem The Solution
Viscosity Breakdown
Extreme conditions in today's engines can quickly break down a motor oil's viscosity. High shear forces can crush lubricating molecules or even break them in half. These damaged molecules cannot thicken properly and may not provide the protection you need. Maximum Protection against Viscosity Breakdown
Castrol blends the finest base oils with unique, shear stable viscosity improvers. As a result, Castrol GTX exceeds demanding U.S. shear stability requirements for viscosity breakdown protection.
Thermal Breakdown
Thermal breakdown is the reaction of motor oil to high levels of heat in an engine. See also Volatility. Thermal breakdown leads to increased oil consumption and can cause increased deposits and acid buildup. Today's high technology engines are generally designed to run hotter than ever. Even under everyday driving conditions, temperatures of sensitive lubricated components like pistons and rings can exceed 400 F (even higher for turbos). Such searing temperatures cause thermal breakdown. Oil consumption, which relates to oil volatility, increases with higher operating temperatures. And long term exposure can lead to the build up of excessive deposits, varnish and corrosive agents. This can result in stuck rings, increased oil consumption and blowby, loss of engine power and ultimately, costly engine wear. Maximum Protection against Thermal Breakdown
Castrol GTX is specially formulated with anti-oxidants, sludge and varnish inhibitors, detergents and unique dispersants. GTX combines these additives with high quality, carefully engineered low volatility base stocks, to provide exceptional thermal stability while controlling oil consumption and engine deposits -- even under the intense heat inside today's harder working engines. That's how Castrol GTX provides unsurpassed protection against thermal breakdown.

 

[2cents]

Hooboy, I nearly sparked off WWIII here didn't I?
I got carried away & hijacked this thread - I didn't mean to do it & I'm sorry abt that, stvchang.
And so, not to continue the misappropriation of discussing general matters on a specific thread, I've started on another thread called "In Search of the Right Engine Oil".
Those of u forum-ers who wish to continue on this saga of the oils, please join me in the above-mentioned thread.

 

[fabianyee]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Feb 4 2005, 11:03 AM
And then we have people who said when I put Oil XX, the car is lighter, smoother and etc. Well, its more of a placebo effect. DO a blind test and see if anyone can determine whether its a mineral or synthetic oil in their engine and whether its monograde/multigrade/supergrade and etc. Btw, if I give a plain pill and claimed it to be a viagra to 100 folks, more than 20% will claimed they have better erection and that's a placebo effect :lol: :lol:

This I would have to disagree.... Quality varies from brand to brand....

Prior to using Q8, I was using Total Semi Syn and then Petronas Syntium Full Syn.... Both didn't give me the smoothness at upper RPM range...
Petronas was the worst as I topped up about 2 liter in the duration of 7,000km... I concluded that oil was more evaporative... Some more it aint cheap... At RM148 for 4 liter, it's total unacceptable...

Q8 is the smoothest I've tried especially above 5000rpm and no performance loss after 5000km... my engine's red line is at 6500rpm and going from idle to 6500rpm is easily done and it's definitely not placebo effect. It's very obvious what a good oil can do compared to something inferior in quality but not much cheaper in price....

 

[ALBundy]

Err, willing to do a "blind test"?? And then we have the results posted on the net. Anyone??? :lol: We need to get some sponsors and do a real test, over a course of say 6 months, maybe get a few testers preferably the so called "experts". They will not be told of the oil that is put into their engines, just like wine tasting :lol:

But of course, I respect everyone's opinion and their wish to use whichever oil that they think will offer sufficient protection. Make no mistake, you cant go wrong with the newer synthetics (Shell, Mobil, Castrol, Q8 and etc etc), its just that I felt unless you are driving to the limits in a Porsche 911 or a M3 everyday, there is no need for such oil.

My 2 cents.

 

[mikoloh]

:wink: Hello gang,

Long time havent yak here....well whatever oil you guys use...Im sure you will have very high regards of it...or u wouldnt have poured it into your engine.

Its really no point claiming MY oil or your oil is the best because everyone here is using the the "BEST" oil.....

THE TRUTH WILL ONLY BE KNOWN AFTER 100000KM WHEN U HAVE YOUR CYLINDER HEAD EXAMINED...then u will know whether u had been right or wrong....

...cheers

michael

 

[ALBundy]

My point has always been, all oils that meets or exceeds the requirements of the car manufacturers are good enough for your car. Now, if you look at the bottles of any oil sold by reputable brands, they all do meet some if not ALL the requirements. Have anyone heard of premature engine wear due to using a particular brand of oil? Or has anyone's engine been able to produce more hp and torque using a particular brand of oil?

If you are comfortable with brand X, then stick with it. Likewise I am comfortable with mineral oils (been using them on both my e34 and E30, and forumers who have driven them always commented on how healthy the engine is)

 

[flash]

I have been using semi-synth oils in my other cars and have no complains on the performance of the oil and engine. What is important is regular and frequent oil and filter changes. I usually change the oil and filter at the 7,500 km mark but have been pushing it to 10,000 km of late with no detriment to the performance and durability of the engines. In fact my engines are still in pristine condition and smoke free (one at the 240,000 km mark and the other at the 100,000 km mark).

I am also seriously thinking of "downgrading" the oil I use in my babe from fully synth to semi-synth. I have been hitting pretty high mileage lately and any savings in oil cost is a bonus. Still thinking though... :blink: