Euro Car Parts Oil quality
Discussion
Be interested to know what people's thought/opinions are of ECP Triple xxx oil are? I appreciate that its not the best but surely if it meets the specs and its changed before schedule it must be more than acceptable in terms of wear protection? A lot of garages have drums of the stuff these days!
Pretty much my thoughts I have been servicing the works vans (PSA 2.0 hdi engines) on 5w/30 for years and must have one up to 250k miles now and not even a jug of oil used between services which I do every 6k. Mechanic chap I know was trying to put me off the stuff advocating me using long life stuff at stupid money. Best bit is £35 for a 20 litre can trade and I even use the waste oil by mixing it up with creosote to paint on the outbuildings!
Well, ECP certainly don't make their own oil so it it's presumably a.n. other brand. If it meets the spec, it meets the spec. At least one of their oils meets Mercedes Benz 229.51, which is the current MB requirement, and is approved by MB. If it has been approved by MB then that's good enough for me.
Some will say that if you look deeply at the specifications other oils might exceed it, however, if it meets the manufacturer's requirements that should offer some reassurance.
I've used it, and virtually every other 'brand' over the years and, providing it's the correct spec., I don't stick to one brand. Having said that, I tend to change oil at least twice as often as the recommended intervals, which could open a whole new discussion point but as they're my cars, I do what I want not what others think.
Some will say that if you look deeply at the specifications other oils might exceed it, however, if it meets the manufacturer's requirements that should offer some reassurance.
I've used it, and virtually every other 'brand' over the years and, providing it's the correct spec., I don't stick to one brand. Having said that, I tend to change oil at least twice as often as the recommended intervals, which could open a whole new discussion point but as they're my cars, I do what I want not what others think.
its a bit expensive. go to Wilko's and buy their oil, it's cheaper. If it meets the spec it will be fine. I have never bought expensive branded oil and I have never worn an engine out. And i mostly drive 10 year old 100k mile cars. I do maintain them well service them regularly. Been doing this since 1981.
ECP have economy of scale on their side so the cost difference to the named brands is probably greater than the quality difference. Indeed somebody has to make it, I remember having a similar conversation on here about Halfords oil which was apparently made by 'Comma' at the time.
My personal view is that oil is cheap in the grand scheme of things and I expect to change it at the interval (annually / 10k miles) not before so I will use Mobil or similar just for peace of mind.
My personal view is that oil is cheap in the grand scheme of things and I expect to change it at the interval (annually / 10k miles) not before so I will use Mobil or similar just for peace of mind.
It's important to note that there is a small but important detail between what are often cheap oils and their more expensive rivals.
Cheaper oil usually 'comply' or 'meet' the standards from certain manufacturers. But they're not tested or certified independently to ensure that they do. Which is how more expensive oils differ.
Ultimately, like many things you're paying for the Quality Assurance of the product to ensure it consistently meets the requirements.
In most cars these small differences will make no difference to the reliability and performance of an engine.
Cheaper oil usually 'comply' or 'meet' the standards from certain manufacturers. But they're not tested or certified independently to ensure that they do. Which is how more expensive oils differ.
Ultimately, like many things you're paying for the Quality Assurance of the product to ensure it consistently meets the requirements.
In most cars these small differences will make no difference to the reliability and performance of an engine.
ElectricSoup said:
Buy it from carparts4less, it's the same company but the prices are always far lower than ECP. Been using Triple QX for years now, no problems. It's in my Merc E320CDi currently.
Always worth checking other oils out, carparts4less had Mobil 1 0w40 for £37.80 before any voucher code in February, only £2 more than Triple QX 0w40.Here is the google cache: https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=ca...
Edited by NickGRhodes on Wednesday 18th April 12:55
I got caught up in the oil thing, remember spending a fortune on some extra virgin, truffle infused Selenia stuff for my Fiat Coupe, like giving Bollinger to an tramp doesnt care and drank it anyway, since then, correct spec and best price, shouldn't cost more than 30 quid on most cars to do an oil change.
I bet even Ferraris and Lambos would be happy on discount fully synth, I bet half the time that is what you get, and engine is pretty much an engine, metal against metal with oil to stop it wearing out, as long as it meets the spec I dont think it makes a huge difference, its usually wedding guests that kill those cars, not slightly cheaper engine oil.
Change it once a year or not much more, dont do too many miles on the same oil, use something half decent to the correct spec, bit of mechanical sympathy and all will be well, oh and check the level occasionally, thats the main thing, can put the best in but if there is none left its game over !
I bet even Ferraris and Lambos would be happy on discount fully synth, I bet half the time that is what you get, and engine is pretty much an engine, metal against metal with oil to stop it wearing out, as long as it meets the spec I dont think it makes a huge difference, its usually wedding guests that kill those cars, not slightly cheaper engine oil.
Change it once a year or not much more, dont do too many miles on the same oil, use something half decent to the correct spec, bit of mechanical sympathy and all will be well, oh and check the level occasionally, thats the main thing, can put the best in but if there is none left its game over !
Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff