507 oil and badge snobbery!

[chimp427]

We have a few vag vehicles in the family that could all use the 507 grade and i was wondering does anyone buy oil in bulk that that they have had no problems with?
I like to change it at 6000 miles and it would be handy to have one or two of these stocked in the garage.
As long as it meets the specs i cant see a problem personally?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-5w30-VW-LONGLIFE-3-O...

[liner33]

I tend to agree I would often change the oil on our diesel superb with cheap internet sourced stuff at the 6 month point as long as its low ash its ok

However I dont believe that all oil is the same and that premium oils dont offer more than cheap oils, I also wouldnt think that any detrimental effects from using cheaper oils would be experienced quickly

I was of the opinion that the since the oil looked awful when changed, clean cheap oil every 6 months and 7k was better than leaving the expensive stuff in there for a year and 14+k

[chimp427]

Ive been using this and although its still good value it would be nice to stock a one covers all type oil.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quantum-Longlife-3-5W-30...

[Dr G]

Stick with the Quantum stuff as it's VW's own product. The 5l pots are sometimes on offer at TPS for <£20.

[xjay1337]

There is MUCH better quality oil than the Quantum 5w30 stuff.
I use millers nanodrive 5w40.
hasn't been tested for VW approval, but it is a far, far far better oil.


If you really are anal and want to stick to "Vw approved" stuff then you should move to 5w40 as it's much better at higher temps.

[KungFuPanda]

I've used Quantum in the two S6's I've had and never had a problem. VAG sell and usi it so that's good enough for me.

[chimp427]

xjay1337 said:

There is MUCH better quality oil than the Quantum 5w30 stuff.
I use millers nanodrive 5w40.
hasn't been tested for VW approval, but it is a far, far far better oil.


If you really are anal and want to stick to "Vw approved" stuff then you should move to 5w40 as it's much better at higher temps.

Ive no doubt its a great oil but im too tight to spend anywhere near £60 fo a gallon of it!

[xjay1337]

You'd pay £70 for the oil at VW if you were had them service it!

I think it's £56 and if you using the coupon code TFSI you will get 10% off if you shop on Opie Oils.

I would recommend spending the slight extra, after all it's the lifeblood of your engine.
It's gotten my car up to a very abused 150k and hopefully much longer to come still :-)

Vag OEM oil especially the 5w30 is FAR from the best oil. It'll do, but 5W40 is better, and even more so, a quality performance oil will be better still

[Dr G]

Quantum also do a 5w40.

[liner33]

My Skoda dealer uses Castol Edge and thats what was supplied with my Fabia

Only £50 or so on Amazon and cheaper if you shop around

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Castrol-EDGE-Engine-Oil-5W...

[ManOpener]

I currently use Mobil 1 5w40. Seems to have reduced consumption in my TFSI and costs about the same as Castrol Edge.

[Dr G]

I've had similar feedback from a lot of customers with the 5w40; particularly in the V8s.

[Andy JB]

I'm baffled why VAG would recommend a 5w30 oil after extensive testing to fulfill a specific tolerance/technical requirement if a 5w40 is a better oil, its simply a different spec not a better oil with a different viscocity/heat range.

If the recommended oil is 5w30 then that's what i'll use but of course in full synthetic flavour. I'm not clear how you could advise or tell any difference with a 40 rated oil !!!!

[xjay1337]

Oil temps are 7-12 degrees lower (I have oil temp gauge)
Less noise
Lower oil consumption
Better protection when warm as oil is slightly thicker.
If you look on forums professional engine builders and known tuners are all recommending 5w40 instead of 5w40.
Even VW offer a 5w40 meeting the specification.

[liner33]

xjay1337 said:

Oil temps are 7-12 degrees lower (I have oil temp gauge)
Less noise
Lower oil consumption
Better protection when warm as oil is slightly thicker.
If you look on forums professional engine builders and known tuners are all recommending 5w40 instead of 5w40.
Even VW offer a 5w40 meeting the specification.

So 5w30

Less noise when cold
Better protection when cold as circulates quicker
Gets up to temperature quicker
Better fuel economy due to thinner oil*

• Biggest reason cars come with it but certainly no harm to switch to a 5w40 as the mileage increases

[xjay1337]

liner33 said:

So 5w30

Less noise when cold
Better protection when cold as circulates quicker
Gets up to temperature quicker
Better fuel economy due to thinner oil*

• Biggest reason cars come with it but certainly no harm to switch to a 5w40 as the mileage increases

Noise "when cold" is the same, cold weight of the oil is the same.
Cold protection is the same - because it's the same weight of oil.
I would imagine the 5w30 has something to do with the economy point but arguably it's providing "less" in the way of friction reduction so more fuel.
The best MPG I've had has always been on 5w40.

[Andy JB]

yes but perhaps the engines were designed to run with the engine temp 7-12 degrees higher that's why they specified 30 not 40 !

Its quieter because its thicker and also arguably causes more wear on cold start up because of this. I used 10/40 on my previous B5 A4 because that was the technology requirement at the time, they still make this oil but not for modern variants. I don't buy the argument of a 40 as neither of my VAg moderns have ever overheated in any way shape or form.

Conversely I do spec a 10 or 15w oil at 50 or 60 in my TVR because I do a combination of various track days, hill climbs, fast foreign runs etc where it gets very hot and its an older design used in the warmer months, so it will tolerate thicker oils for this purpose and runs better than 0w 40..... but a modern Audi specced at 5w 30 is recommended for all seasons for a reason not a marketing gimmick and that's good enough for me - all IMO of course.

[liner33]

I don't believe that the oil viscosity makes that much difference to the temperature , thats more than the peak of summer to the depths of winter on my car and most cars dont have an oil cooler or and oil temp gauge anyhow

[xjay1337]

I don't think you understand oil.
when cold, a 5w40 has the same viscosity (and therefore the same flow qualities) as a 5w30.
Cold side has absolutely no bearing.

I drive my car hard, do drag and track events. I prefer the extra protection the 40 weight oil gives. Keeps my oil temps lower for longer as well. It is slightly thicker meaning more protection without any negative benefits.

Once my oil temps hit 120 degrees I will back off until they are cooler to prevent oil from breaking down leaving sedimentary deposits.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Tc-YkJRxk

Many race engine builders recommend 10-60 for EXTREME track work otherwise 5w40 for normal/tuned cars in the VAG world.

[liner33]

xjay1337 said:

I don't think you understand oil.
when cold, a 5w40 has the same viscosity (and therefore the same flow qualities) as a 5w30.
Cold side has absolutely no bearing.

I drive my car hard, do drag and track events. I prefer the extra protection the 40 weight oil gives. Keeps my oil temps lower for longer as well. It is slightly thicker meaning more protection without any negative benefits.

Once my oil temps hit 120 degrees I will back off until they are cooler to prevent oil from breaking down leaving sedimentary deposits.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7Tc-YkJRxk

Many race engine builders recommend 10-60 for EXTREME track work otherwise 5w40 for normal/tuned cars in the VAG world.

Thicker means more resistance to flow, and better flowing means better cooling

Modern synthetic oils will cope with well over 150 degrees c on a regular basis and are tested over 180 degrees the oil temp is way down your lists on worries in fact too low is much worse