The best quality engine oil, for the dollar spent.

1444 Views 11 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Old Dogger, 13 h ago

Old Dogger

The opinions on the best quality engine oil, are all over the board. Independent tests, seem to favor one over the other, from there test results. But the results also vary. So who does one believe?
It seems to be Mobil 1 extended life, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, and Amsoil are some of the favorites, but, which other Brand of oils, also belong on this list? But should we also add into the equation, the cost of the oil. (Best bang for your Buck).
SO, WHAT IS THE BEST ENGINE OIL, AND WHAT HAS CONVINCED YOU TO BELIEVE SO?

Save

Reactions: 2

1 - 12 of 12 Posts

White Elemant

· #2 · 15 d ago

A consumer has absolutely no way to evaluate any of that, full stop.

Having said that, I think saving on oil is one of the best ways to spend hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars.

Save

Reactions: 2

jdsilvaz99

· #3 · 15 d ago

the ole Oil Debate. I have spent a lot of time watching oil videos, and several years ago, I was a big Royal Purple fan. On my old 97 XJ I use Valvoline high mileage 10w30 oil. It's at about 250,000 miles. Runs just fine. On my 2015 Wrangler, I use Amsoil or Motul. I have used Amsoil and Royal Purple in my 2007 Mustangs, GT and Shelby GT500. No issues. I think, for the most part, that all of the name brand synthetic oils are very comparable, and differences can only be seen in a laboratory test. I've never noticed a difference when driving. At idle, upon initial startup, I think I've noticed a "smoother" idle, when I started using the Amsoil, Motul, and Royal Purple, coming from Castrol synthetic. I'd heard from people that when Mobile merged with BP, their quality went down, but who knows. I've never been a Mobil user. I was always a Valvoline guy, and Castrol. Using a quality filter is just as important. I don't think you will experience engine failure just because of a particular oil brand. Buy a name brand, use the correct weight, and you should be fine. If you beat the shit out of your jeep, and don't maintain it properly, oil brand is the least of your problems.

See less See more

Save

Reactions: 3

White Elemant

· #4 · 14 d ago

Engine oil is a hot topic on Alfa Romeo forums. Especially some TwinSpark engines are picky in the oil consumption sense. Depending on brand/grade they consume anything between zero to a liter per 1000km.

The main thing is, apart from that, no-one has been able to show that there is any difference in engine longevity.

Save

Reactions: 1

jdsilvaz99

· #5 · 14 d ago

The only vehicles I've owned that used oil regularly, were my BMWs. All 5 series. Didn't matter what brand, they used it. Consumption varied depending on how hard I drove them between changes, which was every 5,000 miles. Typically went through at least one quart. Jeeps... no such issue with my XJ, ZJ, WJ and now my JK. All 6 cylinder motors.

Save

Old Dogger

Discussion Starter · #6 · 14 d ago

Is that a normal oil usage, for a BMW? We purchased a Cadillac Escalade new, back in 2003. From day one, it always used a quart in about 4,000 miles. The same at 80K when we sold it. I tried different oil, and viscosity, but still about the same.

Save

Reactions: 1

CRIK

· #7 · 4 d ago

Most newer vehicles use lower tension rings. In combination with low viscosity oil. These 2 factors is why a lot of newer engine’s may use some oil. And if you tend to run them at higher RPMS this will also make them use more oil.
In my 30+ yrs of turning wrenches for a living and through many oil classes, yes most major brands are good (notice I said most, penzoil and Quaker state do not qualify). I know to the untrained eye 👁 what I am going to say next will make a lot of you go no way. I stick with the major oil company brands, ie: mobile, shell, chevron etc. I also highly recommend some specialty companies. Bel ray (#1), lubrication engineers, and some others I cannot remember right now. I alsoalso exclusively diesel grade 15w-40. I have used diesel grade for the last 40+ yrs. My stuff runs 300,000 miles. If I do pull one down. All bearings, cylinder walls look almost new.

Save

Reactions: 1

jdsilvaz99

· #8 · 2 d ago

Hello, yes, Old Dogger, that is standard for BMW.

Save

Reactions: 1

Old Dogger

Discussion Starter · #9 · 1 d ago

jdsilvaz99 said:
Hello, yes, Old Dogger, that is standard for BMW.

Thank you for the response! Our Daughter and Grandson each have a BMW. I know that there system tells them when a change of oil is needed. I think that it also warns them if they are low on engine oil. I believe that their BMW Dealer uses Castrol Edge oil. Their engines have a turbo, so I am guessing 5W30.

Save

Reactions: 1

jdsilvaz99

· #10 · 24 h ago

Yes, Castrol was the BMW factory oil for many years, and I guess still is. I'll have to look at my oil cap on my 2016 next oil change, and see if it still has Castrol on it. My 2002 X5 did. Not sure what year BMW did away with the oil dipstick, which freaks me out. You have to rely on the computer/sensors for everything. Stick to the maintenance schedule.

Save