to run synthetic or not

[unsped]

just bought a volvo and am looking to do its first oil change.
98 volvo v70 turbo w/ 83k miles

re: switch to synthetic motor oil

pros:
more mileage out of the motor
synthetic better for the turbo temps

cons:
rear main seal may leak (900 to fix)
$7 a bottle vs. $2

 

[Captante]

I run Mobil 1 in my 1993 850 GLT & it gets considerably better gas milage plus it seems to start easier & since I don't drive it everyday this is important (its my second car), the only real concern is that on your first change you won't get much more life out of the synthetic because it will clean a lot of crap out of your engine & in your case that may lead to a bigger leak problem with the rear-seal, plus it might cause some new leaks to start up.

 

[Vette73]

A great inbetween oil is the Mobil7500. Mostly Grp 3 (i.e. what castrol and other call a FULL syn) and can be had for less then $3 easy.

 

[imported_LoKe]

If you can afford it without making any budget cuts (...) then go for it.

 

[TomKazansky]

run synthetic if you have a turbo car.

 

[huberm]

i used to have a truck w/ about 70k miles when i switched to synthetic. Not saying it is definintely the synthetic, but I think what happened is the synthetic worked so well, on a higher mileage vehicle, it cleaned it out really well and started leaking from all kinds of places.