Castrol Magnatec

[21st Century Man]

I ordered this, Castrol reference 151B20, it says synthetic on the bottle.



But I've been sent this, Castrol reference 15CA1F, it doesn't say synthetic on the bottle.



Are they the same or different?

Thanks.

[g3org3y]

According to the Castrol website, the one you've been sent (10W40) is 'Part Synthetic'. The 5W30 and 5W40 equivalent are 'Full Synthetic'.

[Paul_M3]

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/home/...

The website for Magnatec 10w-40 lists the type as 'Part Synthetic'. (Note that your original one said 'Synthetic Technology' rather than 'Synthetic' so a little bit of marketing speak)

There does not appear to be another current type of Magnatec in 10w-40.

I think Castrol 'Edge' is all fully synthetic, with some grades of Magnatec being fully synthetic.

[Lincsls1]

Its doesn't say 'fully synthetic' though does it? Its says 'synthetic technology' which is their loop hole here.
Its a semi-synthetic oil.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Wednesday 10th March 17:04

[21st Century Man]

The reason I ask is that I ordered from Amazon and I could've ordered the one in the second pic for £24.95, but I ordered the one in the first pic for £31.43 (Opie Oils) thinking it was different (as it's labelled synthetic) hence more expensive.

[Lincsls1]

21st Century Man said:

The reason I ask is that I ordered from Amazon and I could've ordered the one in the second pic for £24.95, but I ordered the one in the first pic for £31.43 (Opie Oils) thinking it was different (as it's labelled synthetic) hence more expensive.

That's a bummer, as above - its a marketing stunt. I'm sure we've all fallen foul for similar.

[21st Century Man]

Paul_M3 said:

The website for Magnatec 10w-40 lists the type as 'Part Synthetic'. (Note that your original one said 'Synthetic Technology' rather than 'Synthetic' so a little bit of marketing speak)

Lincsls1 said:

Its doesn't say 'fully synthetic' though does it? Its says 'synthetic technology' which is their loop hole here. It's a semi-synthetic oil.

Yes, I understand the distinction now, thanks.

But putting part/full synthetic to one side, I'm feeling mugged off if it's the same stuff, I could've paid £6.48p less for it as I thought the stuff not labelled as synthetic wasn't synthetic, hence cheaper.

Oh well, it's only a few quid, but I'm feeling miffed! If they'd sent the bottle with the other label I'd be ignorantly happy!

[Lincsls1]

Yes, I totally understand, and I've definitely been caught out by similar myself, through product name changes and so on.
Still, its a good oil as I understand it.
Live and learn as they say.

[g3org3y]

Out of interest, what are you planning on using it in?

[21st Century Man]

Nothing that matters much, wife's Panda. It's what's in the sump now and it's what I've been doing the odd top up with, so I thought I'd ordered the same stuff with the same label.

What's puzzling is that there are seemingly two different labels for the same stuff, hence the confusion.

[Paul_M3]

21st Century Man said:

Nothing that matters much, wife's Panda. It's what's in the sump now and it's what I've been doing the odd top up with, so I thought I'd ordered the same stuff with the same label.

What's puzzling is that there are seemingly two different labels for the same stuff, hence the confusion.

Perhaps they changed to the newer bottom label because the first one was misleading?

[21st Century Man]

[s p a c e m a n]

Is it just me that doesn't trust Amazon/eBay oil then, am I doing myself out of a few quid by being paranoid?

[PhilF329]

I think it depends who you buy from! Buying from Opie is probably worth a few £’s more

[21st Century Man]

PhilF329 said:

I think it depends who you buy from! Buying from Opie is probably worth a few £’s more

Yes, it's always worth paying one supplier much more for the same thing

I could've bought what Opie supplied for £6.48 less at the time of ordering (and currently £10 less, as Opie are now £33.95 and pretty much everywhere else is £23.95), had I known that they were going to supply the other label bottle like everyone else, rather than the label bottle they'd pictured.

Edited by 21st Century Man on Wednesday 10th March 22:51

[21st Century Man]

Opie Oils have refunded the difference and have changed the listing picture of the product. Very good service.

Case closed.

Edited by 21st Century Man on Friday 12th March 12:27

[Pupbelly]

Decent of them to do that

[Sheepshanks]

It's been a thing for years (at least 20, I'd say) that Magnatec implies it's synthetic but isn't.

Even more confusing is garages use Magnatec Pro (or so they say) and that is synthetic.

[opieoilman]

21st Century Man said:

Opie Oils have refunded the difference.

Case closed.

Hi,

We apologise for the confusion! It was caused by an out of date product picture on Amazon, we are working to sort the listing out so that it does not happen again.

As others have said, the term "synthetic" mentioned anywhere on the Magnatec 10w-40 is marketing spin, neither are a synthetic. It is common for oil companies to use buzz words like "synthetic technology", "technosynthese", "synthetic blend" etc but it is really all just marketing.

Glad the price difference was resolved

Cheers,

Guy

[Mabbs9]

It's a good opportunity to support a business on our shores. Plus it sounds like you've just been shown some real decency too. Win win.