Mannol oil

[jinkster]

Hello all,

My car needs a service soon and Ive seen Mannol oil cheap on eBay that suits my cars spec. Can anyone recommend if it meets spec or is it really different?

Thanks.

[cuprabob]

Previous threads on the subject..

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Belle427]

Ive just bought a 20 L drum of it for use on my daily, i change it regularly so thought id take a punt on it. Just avoid the certain seller mentioned on ebay in those threads.

[7 5 7]

Yup, another 20L drummer here, used it for years, it's over specced for most cars needs, it's good stuff! Many garages use this also I'm aware of.

[ChocolateFrog]

I started one of rhe previous threads.

A few good links basically stating that what they write on the bottle is simply made up.

I would put it in anything I cared about.

[E-bmw]

Used it for years from reputable sellers but then I religiously do oil/filter change every year regardless of what servicing schedules state, used it in N/A diesels, turbo diesels, N/A petrols, S/C petrols never had an issue.

[stevieturbo]

Sometimes it's on offer, others it isn't

It's oil, I've used it a few times and never an issue.

If they priced it higher all the time would anyone question it ?

[GeniusOfLove]

cuprabob said:

Previous threads on the subject..

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

In summary it's pretty suspect about meeting spec.

https://ukla-vls.org.uk/?s=Mannol

How about CHF and brake fluid that doesn't meet spec
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/vls010190/
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/vls010200/

"VLS independently procured a sample of the product within the UK and tested
it for Kinematic Viscosity @ -40 degrees centigrade, SBR Elastomer Swell Test
@ 120 degrees centigrade, and Water Tolerance / Bubble travel time –
seconds. The test results show that the product failed to meet the
specification limits across all three tests. The test results were shared with
Lubriage Ltd, trading as Mannol UK and we invited them to comment on these
along with steps they will take to bring the product into compliance. As the
distributor of the product in the UK, Lubriage Ltd, trading as Mannol UK is
liable for the claims made on the product and the product’s compliance with
market standards such as DOT 4.

In response Lubriage Ltd trading as Mannol UK verbally assured VLS that they
had immediately stopped selling the product on the UK marketplace"

It's only brake fluid, right?

There were other cases for other products but they've been archived now. If they don't care to get brake fluid right how on spec do you think their motor oil and other fluids are?

They always did seem too good to be true.

Edited by GeniusOfLove on Sunday 12th January 14:05

[sanguinary]

The possible source of the product continues to rumble on in the background too.

https://www.lubesngreases.com/lubereport-emea/9_25...

[stevieturbo]

sanguinary said:

The possible source of the product continues to rumble on in the background too.

https://www.lubesngreases.com/lubereport-emea/9_25...

Nothing there seems to indicate a quality issue, just that many seem pissed off by the lower pricing.

[GeniusOfLove]

It does imply rather shady practices in other areas though.

Did you see the test reports on their CHF and DOT4? Doesn't seem something a decent and reliable manufacturer would sell.

[egomeister]

sanguinary said:

The possible source of the product continues to rumble on in the background too.

https://www.lubesngreases.com/lubereport-emea/9_25...

That barely scratches the surface it seems!

https://www.occrp.org/en/investigation/leaked-audi...

[sanguinary]

stevieturbo said:

Nothing there seems to indicate a quality issue, just that many seem pissed off by the lower pricing.

GeniusOfLove said:

It does imply rather shady practices in other areas though.

Did you see the test reports on their CHF and DOT4? Doesn't seem something a decent and reliable manufacturer would sell.

I agree with both replies.

The headache for people in the industry is that many customers see it as 'just oil', as referenced in this thread. There's a huge amount of work that goes into the development and sourcing of materials to ensure specifications are maintained. This comes at a cost of course.

From the manufacturer perspective of the complaint linked above, they will know how much the appropriate technology costs, so when the competitor is able to sell not at a comparative low margin, but one that appears to be substantially less than the market cost of the material, there appears to be an issue. If you then look at on going observations into quality, UK businesses (of which there aren't many left in this industry) stand to be hurt by a competitor that may not be playing by the rules adhered to in this country.

Edited by sanguinary on Sunday 12th January 17:32

[ThingsBehindTheSun]

Been using it for years without an issue, although I change it annually and do 4k miles a year.

Have to say I am getting more and more tempted to spend the extra £15 and get the Renault recommended Elf oil instead next time.

[ChocolateFrog]

I bet loads of garages use it without saying anything.

[GeniusOfLove]

ThingsBehindTheSun said:

Been using it for years without an issue, although I change it annually and do 4k miles a year.

Have to say I am getting more and more tempted to spend the extra £15 and get the Renault recommended Elf oil instead next time.

I used it in everything until I started reading the reports about how none of it meets spec.

[E-bmw]

ChocolateFrog said:

I bet loads of garages use it without saying anything.

^^^ Wot 'e said.

As far as many are concerned it says it meets the spec, so they would be unlikely to question it.

[stevieturbo]

ChocolateFrog said:

I bet loads of garages use it without saying anything.

What would they need to say ?

[E-bmw]

stevieturbo said:

ChocolateFrog said:

I bet loads of garages use it without saying anything.

What would they need to say ?

Obviously they would have to say so to their customers............

[HarvB]

I put some of their 75w90 into a gearbox which then developed a crunch going into 3rd 6 months later. No evidence that the oil did it, but when I put some Castrol Transmax in the replacement box, it shifted much smoother. FWIW, Westway lubricants also appear in a bad light on the VLS regarding their 75w90 being frozen solid at -40 when it should still flow. Overall for the sake of a few quid, I stick to more recognised brands now, at least then I don't second guess the cause of any issues.