Quantum Long Life III decent oil or cheap rubbish?

[KungFuPanda]

Prompted by a discussion here http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... about the cost of an oil service, I was wondering what your collective opinion is with regards the choice of oil for a performance Audi.

I've got a 2006 Audi S6. It's done over 100,000 miles and has been serviced according to the longlife schedule. I've only just bought it but at my next recent service I plan on switching it to annual due to the limited miles I do. I also intend on doing 6 monthly oil changes.

Anyway, in preparation for the service, I've got myself 10 litres of Quantum Longlife III oil from TPS for the princely sum of £45 as it was on special offer. Now this oil is a fully synthetic 5w30 and is 505/507 compliant and sold by a wholly owned subsidiary of VAG. Having had a quick look on Opie Oils, I could have spent up to £117 on 10 litres of Castrol Edge.

My view is that as long as I don't go ultra budget and stick to the correct viscosity and approval, the oil will be fine. I wouldn't stick ECP Triple QX oil in there but perhaps why not?

What are your views.

Also, a point was raised that Audi recommend Castrol for some of their RS models. Even though this is true, when servicing these cars, what would Audi use? Surely if I stuck my S6 in for a fixed priced oil service at £195 all in, they wouldn't be using Castrol's finest?

[Nedzilla]

If your changing the oil every six months and doing limited miles I'm sure it will be absolutely fine. My R8 is due it's first service (by me) sometime this year and that is the oil my local Audi dealer uses though I am going to supply my own oil as Asda usually has Castrol Edge on offer at £30 for 4 litres and this would probably work out cheaper than what Audi would charge me for Quantum!
I will probably change the oil every 12 months or so,I do about 7k a year. I contacted the Audi dealer who did the last service and they told me they used shell Helix which is what I've been topping it up with.

[cuprabob]

Don't know if it's still the case but Quantum Oils was just rebranded Castrol Oils. Irrespective if it is or not, it's a decent quality oil and as long as it meets the approprate specs for your car, it will do the job.

[Adrian E]

Yep, quantum should be rebranded Castrol. Many Audi dealers use the Shell option, presumably because it costs them less in large drums!

Any of these will be fine on an annual change basis if doing circa 10k a year.

[SuperchargedVR6]

Adrian E said:

Yep, quantum should be rebranded Castrol. Many Audi dealers use the Shell option, presumably because it costs them less in large drums!

Yep. Castrol were ripping dealers off.

I use the Shell stuff (Ultra AVL-5W30) and it's a better oil than LL3. The engine uses less of it between services and just seems to prefer it in general. A little quieter, a little smoother. I get it cheap through a dealer friend, otherwise it's pricey stuff!