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What oil should I be running in my S4 when I pick it up ?
I have seen several types mentioned - just want to know which is best and how much is required:

Mobil 1 5W-30
Mobil 1 0W-40
Mobil 1 15W-50
Castrol RS 0W-40
Castrol Formula SLX 0W-30
VW Synta

Or something else ???
I plan on doing an oil and filter change on Sunday (pick the car up on Friday [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]), as although it has just been serviced I'd like to know for sure what oil is in it.

Thanks in advance

15W-50 is most definitely NOT suitable for your S4.
I would also advise against 5W-30 too.

The spec calls for 0W-30 oil, but 0W-40 is OK.

So of those you list, I recommend them in this order:

1) Castrol Formula SLX 0W-30
2) Mobil 1 0W-40
3) VW Synta 0W-30

Why?

The Castrol is recommended by many dealers and is the right weight spec. Mobil 1 is not the right spec, but is a damn good oil. Synta may be a good oil but it's only someone else's oil rebranded, so I can't be as sure of its quality.

Since I've only been able to buy Castrol from Audi dealers in 1l bottles for lots of £, I've been using Mobil 1. If I could buy the Castrol in 4 or 5l cans from Halfords then it would be my preference.

I have left the Castrol RS off the list as it does not meet VAG spec 503.01. Now strictly speaking the S4 does not have to have oil to 503.01, but there are good reasons why you should (see my other post elsewhere on this site).

One well known and respected tuner uses Synta fully synthetic and swears by it. It is also one helluva lot cheaper that Mobil 1.

I would say that regular oil changes are essential - provided the oil matches VAG specs (for the RS4) then I would go for the least expensive.

But Dippy is certainly the resident "oil consultant guru" so his decision is final [img]images/graemlins/jump.gif[/img]

So, Castrol SLX sounds like a goer ?
Available now in Halfords (4 litre cans) with 20% discount - makes it about £27.
How about quantity ? I guess 4 litres is not going to be enough but I assume 8 will be enough and possibly 12 would be enough for two changes ?

Thanks

Andy

Uh-oh!

Please check the labels VERY carefully. There are several versions of Castrol Formula SLX!

Last time I looked Halfords only stocked Castrol Formula SLX II Longlife. This is NOT suitable for the S4.


And to clarify Joshie's point, I am not saying that Synta isn't good, far from it. However who makes it? Why is it so cheap? Just 'cos AmD use it doesn't make it better than any others, they may use it for a number of other reasons.

Nevertheless I would say that all 3 oils are effectively equally good. I have had all 3 in my engine at different times.

You need about 6 litres if you also change the filter (and the sump drain plug), which I recommend you do.

And to clarify Joshie's point, I am not saying that Synta isn't good, far from it. However who makes it? Why is it so cheap? Just 'cos AmD use it doesn't make it better than any others, they may use it for a number of other reasons.

Not sure why Synta is so much cheaper than, say, Mobil 1 although it is a generic brand (bit like Tesco own label really) and normally you'd expect to pay less for generic brands.

Branded doesn't always mean better quality but I wasn't attempting to suggest that Synta was better or worse than the others - just cheaper - and it matches VAG specs so I would have thought that this was a good reason to use it.

Please check the labels VERY carefully. There are several versions of Castrol Formula SLX!

Last time I looked Halfords only stocked Castrol Formula SLX II Longlife. This is NOT suitable for the S4.

I can confim this with the S3 oil too, DO NOT use SLX II from halfords. the turbo-charged engines require the SLX oil and i think the dealers is to most likely place to get it as i could not source it anywhere else! conspiracy if you ask me! [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

The SLX in Halfords is indeed the SLX II [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
On a more positive note, my local Motor Factors has Mobil 1 0-40 (the new one) on offer for £16.60 +VAT !
I checked it conforms to VW503.01 and promptly bought 6 cans which I figure is four oil changes. So please don't tell me this new version of Mobil 1 is a no-no...

Can you PM me with the 'local' factor's name. This is a wicked price!

Cheers

Lee

Should we have a group buy on oil and filters for S4, RS4 etc then ?

I want to do 5k oil changes on my car to help make up for the longer gaps between services I now have (reduced mileage).


If we agree what to get, I will arrange it.

On a more positive note, my local Motor Factors has Mobil 1 0-40 (the new one) on offer for £16.60 +VAT !

**** me that's cheap [img]images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img]
Forget the PM, what's the name of the shop?

It's a trade motor factors.
£16.60 is an offer price that runs out some time very soon. Normal price is about £24.75.

The place is called Maccess if you can get hold of a card. Or if you're local and the offer is still on, I could always pick you some up...