[Kernel Kurtz]

I can only drink Scotch with cola

[MarcoZandrini]

This what I use: https://www.ravenolamerica.com/passe...vmp-sae-5w-30/

It's a full PAO (group IV) base oil. And it's BMW LL04 certified.

[jordan24c]

I run MolyGen 0-20. 24k miles over the last 18 months with probably 100-150 miles on the track without issue.

[ggggbmw]

Not useful to the OP, as he's in the UK. But I just buy the Castrol Euro 5w-40 at Walmart. It is LL01 listed, and you can't beat the price. ~$27 for a 5 qt jug. It may not be as good as some others, but it's not bad, and at that price I just change it out every 5K miles.

On the upside, it's the same oil for my wife's Golf, so only have to stock one type.

The Walmart near me has also started carrying the 5w-30 as well, but seems to always be low/out of it.

[BigSteel]

Hi all thanks for the help . I ended up with motul x-clean gen 2 5w-40 and a man filter . Gonna do the change this weekend . See how it goes it did cost a good chunk of change which made me wonder . If I pay 100£ for oil only and garages offer oil change for 110£ including air filter and labour what horibllle oil would they even use ... I'm glad I'm doing this on my own

[cooolone2]

You will always get better quality when DIY and saving on labor... That is why it's worth DIY if you are able. +Satisfaction!

I recently took the wife's car in for a quick oil change because I didn't have time. Was before we made a few road trips. Well, after a few thousand miles and a few trips I decided to drop the oil. Man oh man ... I needed a breaker bar to pop the drain plug and that's not ok. Is the last time unless I'm physically unable, that I'll allow someone else to touch my vehicles.

[cooolone2]

Originally Posted by edycol

What does it mean true synthetic? That is absolute nonsense. Mobil1 0W40, ESP 5W30 etc. contain combination of PAO, POE, AN, Group III and GTL. No oil is 100% synthetic. It cannot be. Especially oil that has BMW approvals which require lower oxidation.

Well, no it's not nonsense just because you are unaware of what it means. Do your research and you'll learn a little bit about the oil you're putting in your car. Oil with a lower oxidation velocity? Hmmmmm, oh, ok, why? Because they want it to sit in the engine for 10k miles? Gimme a break because that oil is oxidizing long before then.

Drop your oil at 4-5k intervals and be happy!

[edycol]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Well, no it's not nonsense just because you are unaware of what it means. Do your research and you'll learn a little bit about the oil you're putting in your car. Oil with a lower oxidation velocity? Hmmmmm, oh, ok, why? Because they want it to sit in the engine for 10k miles? Gimme a break because that oil is oxidizing long before then.

Drop your oil at 4-5k intervals and be happy!

Considering I worked on oil development, I did that research prior someone, somewhere said: here is check for your work.

True synthetics were attempted in 70's. It turned out that they really, really didn't do well with gaskets. It was very hard to develop usable synthetic oil that doesn't actually damage certain parts in the way or leave excessive oxidation (and no, 5k in true synthetics won't cut).
It was in 90's when Chevron came up with hydrocracking mineral base stock that they realized it can serve either as base stock for oils not intended for performance vehicles or as stabilizer for oils with high % of PAO and POE. Also, Group III is more soluble, oxidize less etc. So, it has some advantages that actually improve performance of oils that have high % of PAO or POE.
Key is finding that balance.
In my BMW is Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 which has high % of GTL. Gas To Liquid is probably most important leap since PAO application in oils. It is extremely clean, but more importantly it has very low volatility and very high HTHS, which is the most important variable protection wise. It is balanced with Group III and bit of PAO.
Add to all this additives, and you will get in most extreme case (Nulon, Motul 300V, Redline, HPL) POE or PAO levels at some 20% POE and perhaps 60% PAO. Your regular synthetic oil that is advertised as "true synthetic" has at best 50% PAO. And it absolutely doesn't mean anything. Amsoil advertise their oils as true synthetic but they are average in every aspect.