Hard to find Mobil One?

[kent993]

I haven't found a filling station yet that sells Mobil 1. I live in SE London and have filled up at a variety of motorway and local petrol stations with never a sign of that particular oil. The local Halfords was closed a year ago and the big one at Orpington seems to have disappeared when the site was closed off for redevelopment.
I don't do a lot of mileage and my last Porsche (928S4) didn't seem to use any oil between services. However, I suspect I shall need to top up my 993 before its next service. I know I could go to an OPC and get the job done, but that seems a bit OTT - surely it must be available somewhere! Where do you buy your top-ups?

[Patrick Rennison]

I'm pretty sure Halfrauds sell it, if not then you could always buy it on-line at www.demon-tweeks.co.uk

[clubsport]

kent993...the orpington halfords is currently relocated to the walnuts shopping centre.
Due to open at the old location in 18mths....
before they shut down they had a 20% off sale,,,needless to say i bought enough Mobil 1 for my next oil change

There is a larger Halfords on the A21 as you go into Bromley, they definitely stock the Amber nectar.

[rods]

Halfords are currrently selling it at £28 4 litres,16 litres purchased today..

[singh911]

Cosco do it too - @ good prices.

[kent993]

Thanks to everyone who responded so helpfully - I now have plenty of options!

[diver944]

Try Simon the PH Oilman at www.opieoils.co.uk he'll do you a good price mailorder

[silver993tt]

All Esso garages stock Mobil 1

[Melv]

Just to add fuel to the fire, you are using Mobil 1 Motorsport 15-50W aren't you?

Rgds
Mel

[silver993tt]

I use 10w-40 as recommended by Porsche.

[rubystone]

I am pretty sure that Simon doesn't sell Mobil 1. He's not only the PH oilman, he's the oilman on the Integrale forum, Lancer forum, Lotus 7 Club forum, Scoobynet forum.....

[Buster44]

Halfrauds are still offering 20% discount off of Mobil1. Bought some 15/50 Motorsport yesterday for the Datapost at £28 for 4 litres.

[kent993]

HELP!!

Despite the suggestions from many helpful people on this forum, I've still been having difficulty finding a source of Mobil One! Three Halfords superstores in the area had none and not one of the local Esso stations carried it.

So I went to Porsche Centre Tonbridge and, yes they had some, but they insisted that I needed 0W-40. Unfortunately, I didn't have my drivers' handbook with me and didn't trust my memory, so I asked for assurance that this was the right grade for a 993. The guy I was dealing with went back to the workshop and came back to say "Yes,this is the only oil we stock, it's supplied by Porsche and we use it on all our cars". I didn't want to have to go around searching any longer, so I allowed myself to be persuaded and came away with four litres (at a scary £56.40, including VAT).

When I got home I checked with the handbook - it doesn't even list a grade beginning 0W. It says specifically that, for winter and summer, above -20 degrees C, one should use 10W (either 30, 40 or 50).

Have I been ripped off by an OPC??? Any advice welcomed - I'm not putting any of this oil into my car until I'm sure it's okay!

[james_j]

I'm pretty sure 0-40 is OK for the 993.

By the way, if you want to save money (i.e. avoid paying £56 plus OPC price), you could buy 12 litres or more from Auchan in France and save the cost of the tunnel trip! It's about £20 for 4 litres; that's where I get mine (plus a bottle or two of wine).

[Buster44]

kent993 said:

I allowed myself to be persuaded and came away with four litres (at a scary £56.40, including VAT). Have I been ripped off by an OPC???

I don't want to rub salt in the wounds, but this is double what Halfrauds are currently charging for 4 litres during their 20% off promotion.

If I were you, once you suss which grade is correct, I would search out a Halfrauds and stock up. My local store is pretty helpful and can search nationally and order in out of stock items at no extra cost. Might be worth a phone call to your nearest one?

[egoboss]

kent993 said:

I haven't found a filling station yet that sells Mobil 1. I live in SE London and have filled up at a variety of motorway and local petrol stations with never a sign of that particular oil. The local Halfords was closed a year ago and the big one at Orpington seems to have disappeared when the site was closed off for redevelopment. I don't do a lot of mileage and my last Porsche (928S4) didn't seem to use any oil between services. However, I suspect I shall need to top up my 993 before its next service. I know I could go to an OPC and get the job done, but that seems a bit OTT - surely it must be available somewhere! Where do you buy your top-ups?

have you got a "charlie brown's" nearby? as i recall they sell/sold it.

[croydon]

KENT993 I to had this problem at the weekend but found Mobil 1 0w 40 in Lessness motorspares at the Oval Sidcup. He has loads of it and it was £33.00 for 4 litres, I thought that was very expensive but on the basis of what you have written I had a touch. You seem local so not far out of your way. mail if you need further directions.

...Ian

[kent993]

james_j said:

I'm pretty sure 0-40 is OK for the 993.

Thanks again to all who have written in. I should have thought of it before posting my question, but I suddenly thought of asking the guy who last serviced the car what grade of oil he had put in it! It turned out to be 0W-40, so I can obviously go ahead now and top up. He said that there had been changes to the oils since the 993 was made and that 0W-40 was now the correct grade to use. Relief! (except for the price I paid for it!! - luckily, 4 litres should keep me going happily enough between services, when I've always had a complete oil change).

However, I shall look out for the various options suggested in your posts. Thanks