Oil Loyalty

[SierraCarrera]

No issues at all on my end with LiquiMoly 5w-40 seeing 270degF+ on track, stage 3 IS38 for 40k miles. Every Blackstone analysis has been good. Changed every 3-4k. And I get it for free now from FCP

 

[BudgetPhoenix]

I've also been doing the free FCP euro deal for a with LiquiMoly 5w40. Every ~6k or so. Of course it is slightly a hassle with having to ship it back but it truly does pay for itself. I did a blackstone lab analysis at one point and they said it looked fine. Before that though I wasnt really picky, I would just get the cheapest VAG spec oil I could find on the shelves. Used a lot of Castrol edge and Mobil 1.

 

[CasperGTI_17]

I use Liquimoly on the GTI and the TDI Jetta. I tried Castrol 5w40 in the Jetta and it used a qt in 5000 miles, went back to Liquimoly with much better results.

 

[Gray_Panther]

I use Liquimoly on the GTI and the TDI Jetta. I tried Castrol 5w40 in the Jetta and it used a qt in 5000 miles, went back to Liquimoly with much better results.

Genuine question. How van you tell you have much better results?

 

[jay745]

Genuine question. How van you tell you have much better results?

You send an oil sample to Blackstone for analysis

 

[19birel]

I started using Liqui Moly 0W-40 Synthoil when I got my A4 because it was a group 3 base oil (full synthetic by the more stringent Euro standards) and bc I live in a climate that can be cold the 0W would reduce initial wear on startup because it flows better (true of any 0W oil). My A4, B8.5 EA888.2 is a platform notorious for oil burning, and despite being driven hard (in terms of street use) a recent blackstone lab report indicated the engine was in great health. It also has no notable oil consumption between changes. I chose it based on research and have kept it based on results with an engine that has a poor track record.

That said my loyalty isn't absolute, I have considered switching my GTI to Motul 300V depening on frequency of track use. However, LM Synthoil will allways be my default choice, and a blackstone report would have to provide evicence that it underperforms relative to another option for me to switch

 

[OLD MEN RULE]

Liqui Moli 0W20 once a year

 

[Treadup]

Liqui moly because of cool marketing.

 

[The Fed]

I used Mobil 1 when it first came out. It was more expensive, and I didn't notice any difference.

Castrol Edge is marked full synthetic, but if you're under about 40, you're probably not aware of the Mobil1 vs. Castrol feud. AFAIK, there is no such thing as 100% synthetic oi, because they need some fossil oil for the additives to stay in suspension. Also, unless it's changed Castrol is only about 50% synthetic. It's all I use, since many VW dealers use it, and it's readily available at Advance Auto Supply. I keep a quart at home to top off when I'm a half-quart low. I change about every 4,000 miles and believe in keeping the sump full. More oil equals better cooling. I have under 32,000 miles on my 8-1/2-year-old R so I could probably use anything that meets VW specs, but like the OP mentioned, some people are just loyal to oil, just like they're loyal to some car brands or tires. I only buy Michelin PS4S' for their superior wet traction. They certainly don't last very long.

 

[scrllock]

I started using Liqui Moly 0W-40 Synthoil when I got my A4 because it was a group 3 base oil (full synthetic by the more stringent Euro standards)

I used Mobil 1 when it first came out. It was more expensive, and I didn't notice any difference.

Castrol Edge is marked full synthetic, but if you're under about 40, you're probably not aware of the Mobil1 vs. Castrol feud. AFAIK, there is no such thing as 100% synthetic oi, because they need some fossil oil for the additives to stay in suspension. Also, unless it's changed Castrol is only about 50% synthetic. It's all I use, since many VW dealers use it, and it's readily available at Advance Auto Supply. I keep a quart at home to top off when I'm a half-quart low. I change about every 4,000 miles and believe in keeping the sump full. More oil equals better cooling.

Group 3 base oils are not synthetic according to europe. The lawsuit mentioned only applies to oil advertising in the USA. Group 3 = highly refined crude oils. Group 4/5 = PAO/ester. Group 3+ = liquid natural gas. Very few oils that are fully synthetic by german standards, i.e. 75%+ synthetic bases, vollsynthetisch. If they're under that threshold, teilsynthetisch.

LM Synthoil 5w40 is supposedly majority Group 4, but it's also a subpar oil on paper by today's standards. e.g. Noack evaporation rating of 13%, which is likely part of why it is not approved.

0w30 castrol is about 50% group 4, 0w40 is supposedly ~25% group 4, and their 5w30/5w40 are probably almost entirely hydrocracked group 3 bases. There's about 5 different castrol euro oils sold here. Not that it matters, but VW dealers in the US sell Mobil 1 as of 2020.

True synthetic oils are much more expensive and it's getting harder and harder to hit the walmart $5/qt pricing, but I think 99.9% of people are best off just buying cheap stuff and changing it more.

For me, I won't use liqui moly again. Leichtlauf and Molygen both burned significant amounts, up to a quart in a single track day. Leichtlauf also broke down very quickly when diluted with e85. They supposedly work better if you buy their additives, but their shit is already marked up compared to the similar fake synthetics you can get at walmart or the parts store, so no thanks.

 

[Cuzoe]

Having never changed the oil myself I guess I'm loyal to whatever the dealer is putting in there .

 

[parapraxis24]

I did the LM from FCP euro but now that I live on the other side of the country, shipping back old stuff makes it not quite the deal it used to be.

So I usually now wait until Advance Auto has a M1 oil change special and get an extra quart for like $40 all in with filter.

Typically I go with the 0w40 FS, if I remember to send it out for testing this time, I’ll finally be able to tell if it’s good or not.

The last oil sample I sent off in this engine was likely whatever the dealer uses, but wear metals were shockingly low. Might have to stock up on the VAG oils if that’s the case lmao.

 

[uberdot]

Having never changed the oil myself I guess I'm loyal to whatever the dealer is putting in there .

Scope your cams when you can. Those 10K oil changes are no bueno on these cars. VW is likely aware but they’re in the business of selling cars, not oil changes

 

[Cuzoe]

Scope your cams when you can. Those 10K oil changes are no bueno on these cars. VW is likely aware but they’re in the business of selling cars, not oil changes

I won't even pretend here, I'm not going to do that. TDI with 11yr/165k warranty. I'll hit 11 years before 165k. At which point I'll get phase two of the recall done which gives me another 5yr/60k.

I probably put 45K on it in the first 3 years and have only done another 16K in the last 4 after moving much closer to work. The 60k service is due and scheduled. I have VW care through 100k.

 

[19birel]

Group 3 base oils are not synthetic according to europe. The lawsuit mentioned only applies to oil advertising in the USA. Group 3 = highly refined crude oils. Group 4/5 = PAO/ester. Group 3+ = liquid natural gas. Very few oils that are fully synthetic by german standards, i.e. 75%+ synthetic bases, vollsynthetisch. If they're under that threshold, teilsynthetisch.

I meant to say Group 4 (I typed that slightly drunk) but I didn't realize it wasn't approved as euro full synthetic still. I will say I typically use LM's Mos2 additive and occasionally their ceratec which could have contributed to the success I've had with it.

No oil has been consumed on track with Synthoil in the GTI either. Not sure if I'd have the same results with their other products, and I'm sure I'm overpaying a little for what I get but it works for me so I've stayed with it.

I've had good results with Mobile 1 in the past too, my BMW seemed to like it better than the BMW branded oil which I believe was made by Shell at the time. That was a street use only car though