What brand of oil do you guys like and why

[Elstupido]

I asked this question on a BMW thread I started and became a bit off topic. I just bought a BMW 1998 740 i and asked what brand oil was best for it. I have come to the conclusion that the Mobile 1 extended mileage is very good.

But after a link, provided, the Valvoline Durablend also looks killer.

What are you all running and why, I have always been a Valvoline fan.... with conventional oils that is.

 

[ponyo]

I use Mobil 1 for synthetic because it's cheap and readily available. I bought 6 quarts for $21 at Costco when it was on sale and will use it next year. For conventional oil, I just buy the cheapest oil I can find that's on sale.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I couldn't possibly care less what oil they put in my car when I get my oil changed.

 

[mwmorph]

Mobil 1 for synthetic. Not the best but very good and you can get it anywhere for a decent price.
Amsoil if I really need the best oil.

 

[T2urtle]

i run the regular mobil 5000, its i think $7-10 a 5 gal jug at walmart.

for the parents cars i run w/e has a coupon for like 99 cents a qt or i just get w/e is cheapest.


i've ran, mobil 1, castol syntec and castrol GTX in the past. I really liked the GTX stuff but for pennies diffrence i went with the 5000. I never really go 5000 miles tho, i start thinking about it when i get to 3000 and normally get up and do it at 3500-4200 miles.

 

[alkemyst]

Many don't know much on oil, nor does it really matter.

Oil Test I linked before...

It's really budget...most aren't going to want to spend $80+ on a 4 qt oil change. Also filters run the gamut as well.

Almost any of the top tier oils will perform more than adequately for a street car. If you spend more of your time consistently over 4-5krpms, the oil makes a bigger difference.

Mobil 1 has dropped a lot in price since it came out.

I have been looking for a more up to date test.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I use Mobil 1 for synthetic because it's cheap and readily available. I bought 6 quarts for $21 at Costco when it was on sale and will use it next year. For conventional oil, I just buy the cheapest oil I can find that's on sale.

x2

 

[boomerang]

Whatever is the cheapest.

 

[Vette73]

Oil standards are high enough that any name brand shoudl allow 5k for most cars and a lot of syns can do 10k for most now.

I use the cheapest Syn in my 2 main cars and my truck gets what ever reg. oil is on sale at the time. All get 5w30 year round.

Mobil1 is NOT a true Syn anymore. They are the same as all the other "syn" oils on the market, a Group3 base stock. Not a bad thing but unless its onsale i don;t use it.

 

[rpanic]

A lot of them use the same oil. I worked at a place in the early 90s that blended and packaged oil for many of the oil companies. They would just change the bottle but the oil was the same, Mobil, Arco, Shell, ect... Use to have people come from miles away and out of state to get Arco motor oil with graphite. The main chemist that ran the lab said out of all the stuff we made and packaged Castrol was probably the best but it was only marginal. Also they made a lot of those oil stabilizers and gas additives they were the same to.

 

[radioouman]

I buy Valvoline or Castrol when it is on sale. I don't run synthetic oil.

Castrol seems like it doesn't burn up as quickly on car that burns a little oil. Valvoline seems a little thinner even though the oil weights are the same. I really like the wide mouth quart bottles that Mobil/Exxon brand oil was packaged in. It flowed smoother.

 

[FeuerFrei]

Past few years I've been sticking with Valvoline Durablend. Ever since my trusty mechanic recommended it.

 

[Arkaign]

Paraffin > Major Brand Synthetic > *.*

 

[overst33r]

People on Bob is the Oil guy seem to like Pennzoil Platinum. I stick with whatever synthetic is cheapest. Correct weight/viscosity is far more important than the brand name.

 

[compman25]

Shell Rotella T Full Synthetic

 

[mshan]

What does BMW recommend for your specific engine?

 

[Elstupido]

They don't recommend anything in the owners manual, however on the oil fill cap it says Castrol is preferred, however that was 10 years ago when the car was manufactured. I am leaning towards the Valvoline durablend.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Elstupido
They don't recommend anything in the owners manual, however on the oil fill cap it says Castrol is preferred, however that was 10 years ago when the car was manufactured. I am leaning towards the Valvoline durablend.

castrol still makes excellent conventional oil and synthetic. The German Castrol in the black bottle is an excellent performer.

 

[mooseracing]

Castrol, from my own testing in my driving conditions it has held better constant pressure and not as much loss over other oils. I run there 5w30, 10w30, 10w40, 20w50, and Castrol Tection 15w40. Shell's rotella T had netted me higher pressure but didn't sustain it as mileage accruded. I am now also avoiding it as they are lowering there Zinc levels.

 

[Vetterin]

Super Tech oil and filters - Walmart.

 

[Vetterin]

delete - double post

 

[ViviTheMage]

Mobil 1 full Synthetic european blend 0w-40 in my 1.8t jetta

I got it on sale for 24.99 with a mobil 1 filter and 5 quarts...pretty sweet!

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
Mobil 1 full Synthetic european blend 0w-40 in my 1.8t jetta

I got it on sale for 24.99 with a mobil 1 filter and 5 quarts...pretty sweet!

WTF? the filter alone is 15 bucks for my car!

 

[geokilla]

Quaker State Advanced Q Synthetic on our Volvo S70. Once that runs out, we'll revert back to Quaker State conventional motor oil.

 

[PandaBear]

Chevron Supreme or Formula Shell for 49c a quart after rebate from Kragen. Or 99c Pennzoil Platinum or Valvoline SynPower after rebate.

Got 7 cases of SynPower and 2 cases of Chevron at home, and load up on deals when possible.