Oil...?

[BillTheButcher]

I've ordered 10 litres of Quantum Platinum from vwspares.

For the sake of the few quid difference between that and the Triple QX stuff it's really not worth taking a risk IMO.

[PhilT]

What's wrong with oilman? Too expensive?

[BillTheButcher]

What's wrong with oilman? Too expensive?

Yes.

I've used Opie Oils before and always had great service from them but they're expensive.

As I said earlier in the thread, there's a lot of speculation about whether it's worth paying the extra for known oil brands like Castrol, Fuchs, Motul, etc. or if what you're paying for is a label.

But I've managed to get 10 litres of a known brand - Quantum - for less than half what it would have cost me to buy the same amount of another known brand - Motul - from Opie Oils.

[sweegie]

What's wrong with oilman? Too expensive?

Yes.

I've used Opie Oils before and always had great service from them but they're expensive.

As I said earlier in the thread, there's a lot of speculation about whether it's worth paying the extra for known oil brands like Castrol, Fuchs, Motul, etc. or if what you're paying for is a label.

But I've managed to get 10 litres of a known brand - Quantum - for less than half what it would have cost me to buy the same amount of another known brand - Motul - from Opie Oils.

There's more than one way to make a so called 100% synthetic oil. A lot of the cheaper oils that brand themselves as 100% synthetic are actually produced from mineral oils that have undergone heavy processing, rather than the true ester-based synthetics produced by chemical reactions by folk in lab coats.

A good place to start looking is an oils materials safety sheet....

Quantum data sheet

And you'll see that this is a synthetic oil based on hydrocarbons

Or the Motul 300v oil at twice the price
300v Data sheet

Which is based on a true synthetic ester base.

You pays your money and......

[BillTheButcher]

I don't understand anything on those sheets.

Does it matter that you're comparing a 15w50 with a 5w40 or are all Motul oils ester-based?

Why are ester-based synthetic oils better than hydrocarbon-based ones?

[Mr.Rs]

The Safety Data Sheet really just conforms to Legislative Jargon. It won't give you the real information you require as it only seeks to give enough generic information to get by selling the product. Dismiss it in terms of performance criteria.

[sweegie]

I don't understand anything on those sheets.

Does it matter that you're comparing a 15w50 with a 5w40 or are all Motul oils ester-based?

Why are ester-based synthetic oils better than hydrocarbon-based ones?

The HC based oils rely on additives to maintain stability, especially at high temperatures and once these additives wear out, the oil performance falls off the cliff... The ester based oils like the Motul 300v, Mobil 1, Millers CFS, etc etc do not rely on additives to maintain stability - their performance is inherently more stable by design. Doesn't matter about the viscosity - i just picked a couple of oils manufactured using both techniques for comparison

The Safety Data Sheet really just conforms to Legislative Jargon. It won't give you the real information you require as it only seeks to give enough generic information to get by selling the product. Dismiss it in terms of performance criteria.

I beg to differ but if I am buying an oil that's branded as synthetic, the first thing I want to know if its HC based product (which i personally consider semi synthetic as its refined crude oil) or a true synthetic. The data sheets will show this.

[BillTheButcher]

Thanks sweegie. Very helpful.

[Mr.Rs]

Details of whether Synthetic/HC yes I agree, all other ingredients/performance on a SDS will undoubtely remain confidential.

[gingertoss]

Sweegie, daft question, if you change the oil every 5k does it matter if synthetic oil is made from HC or ester?
I do and only use Platinum but figure at the price we can get it at that its alright.

[BillTheButcher]

Sweegie, daft question, if you change the oil every 5k does it matter if synthetic oil is made from HC or ester?
I do and only use Platinum but figure at the price we can get it at that its alright.

How often is that in terms of time?

[gingertoss]

About 6 months

[BillTheButcher]

10 litres of Quantum Platinum turned up today.

I'll be getting it changed this week or next and then it'll be in the car for 12 months (about 6k miles).

[marky mark]

Just used eurocarparts and saved £18.30 off my order.

discount code for most parts, might not include oil but does include Bosch oil filter.


service30

enjoy.