What oil for the R36

[Transporter]

Again, this is only a marketing ploy and is not mandatory and not law



The reason for your above questions:

a) This is a marketing ploy used by the oil companies so that people will use these oils, rather than another brand that also meets the specs, in the mistaken belief that they are covered by VW and that it is in some way superior to other oils that also meet the spec but not "approved".
b) this is also a marketing ploy used by VW so that VW can charge a fee for the so called "authorisation" which is nothing more than a rubber stamp approval.

I don't really understand you. How much does the R36 cost?
It is ridiculous to argue about oil specs to save couple bucks when the car cost over $70k and you need 1 oil change per year. Why wouldn't you want to use the best oil for your pride and joy, beats me.

If I would be so tight with money that I would have to look at the cost of oil I'd rather buy cheaper car with cheaper maintenance.

[Lance B]

Why is that? Are you on the LongLife Service regime?

Yes. My first service is at 15,000kms.

For the other stuff - see my post I was writing as you wrote yours

[Lance B]

I don't really understand you. How much does the R36 cost?
It is ridiculous to argue about oil specs to save couple bucks when the car cost over $70k and you need 1 oil change per year. Why wouldn't you want to use the best oil for your pride and joy, beats me.

If I would be so tight with money that I would have to look at the cost of oil I'd rather buy cheaper car with cheaper maintenance.

Actually, the oils I use are not cheap. I have used NEO fully synthetic diester based oil and the last time I used it it cost about $170/5lts but that was a few years back. I am sure it is dearer now as the AU$ has dropped in value to the $US.

I am not trying to use cheap oil, on the contrary, I use the best oils available and damn the expense as nothing is too expensive for my R36 . My point is that even some of these high priced, high performance oils are not on the VW "approved" list when they would outperform any of the oils on the so-called "approved" list.

Having said all this, at the moment I am using the oils as recommended by VW and what is used by my VW service agent, which is the Castrol oil. Not for any other reason other than it is convenient and I can't be bothered doing oil changes myself these days. The R36 is too low for me to get under and for me to change oil I need to get the wheels onto some sort of stand and this is very inconvenient.

[Transporter]

Actually, the oils I use are not cheap. I have used NEO fully synthetic diester based oil and the last time I used it it cost about $170/5lts but that was a few years back. I am sure it is dearer now as the AU$ has dropped in value to the $US.

I am not trying to use cheap oil, on the contrary, I use the best oils available and damn the expense as nothing is too expensive for my R36 . My point is that even some of these high priced oils, high performance oils are not on the VW "approved" list when they would outperform any of the oils on the so-called "approved" list.

Ok, now I understand you.
You would like to use the oil that you believe is better for the engine, and oil manufacturer didn’t submit the oil sample to VW for testing.
I would check if they stand behind their product and repair the engine if the oil caused engine failure and VW deny warranty. Of course it would be harder to claim if they’re based overseas.
Do you have any technical info on that NEO oil? Their website doesn't give any MSDS info about their motor oils.

[Lance B]

Ok, now I understand you.
You would like to use the oil that you believe is better for the engine, and oil manufacturer didn’t submit the oil sample to VW for testing.

This does not concern me one bit as I know there will not be a problem with the oil.

I would check if they stand behind their product and repair the engine if the oil caused engine failure and VW deny warranty. Of course it would be harder to claim if they’re based overseas.
Do you have any technical info on that NEO oil? Their website doesn't give any MSDS info about their motor oils.

There is an Australian distributor and website, but I cannot remember what it is.I will try to find the link when I get back to work on monday.

[Rocket36]

Yes. My first service is at 15,000kms.

If you respect your engine, the run-in oil should be replaced no later than 2000km. Then replacing the oil every 5,000 - 7,500km is also advisable. The long service intervals of 15,000km are just stupid! And mostly aimed at people who don't understand a regularly serviced car will last a lot longer and perform a lot better.

[Lance B]

If you respect your engine, the run-in oil should be replaced no later than 2000km. Then replacing the oil every 5,000 - 7,500km is also advisable. The long service intervals of 15,000km are just stupid! And mostly aimed at people who don't understand a regularly serviced car will last a lot longer and perform a lot better.

Yes, I was a little concerned about this long initial first service schedule, but I rang VW head office and they assured me this was ok!! I think I shall get the oil changed asap.

The only issue I have is that if they use a semi or full synthetic as a "run in oil" then this type of oil means that it takes longer to run the motor in as the friction is so much lower than standard mineral oil. Synthetic oil manufacturers state that you should not use synthetics until the engine has been completely run in.

Have you changed your oil yet? If you have changed your oil, what did you use and do you think it is better now that you have?

[Black R36 Sedan 09(alfie)]

after about 5000+Km's i changed my factory oil to Mobil One (Gold) that the 0w-40... the cars fine till now.. engine feels lighter... Its got 16,000 km's on the clock so far..

[Rocket36]

Have you changed your oil yet? If you have changed your oil, what did you use and do you think it is better now that you have?

I ran my car in on a race track, two days after I picked it up (70km on the clock). Changed the run-in oil at around 1800km. It's now running Castrol Edge Sport 5W30 and it feels a lot smoother since changing. Less smoke at WOT too, but I think changing from Caltex Vortex 98 to BP Ultimate also helped that.

[apom]

I ran my car in on a race track, two days after I picked it up (70km on the clock).

Is this really the best thing for your engine? I was always told that you need really not extended the motor for the first 2000km as a minimum. Happy to be told otherwise.

On the oil argument I also believe its horses for courses.... if you into constant foot to floor action all the time and going to the race track on a regular occasion the oil would need to be in a different league compared to someone who just enjoys driving a really well sorted car and having the occasional high speed fling on the weekend.

Theres such a pleasure in driving a car at 8 or 9 tenths and really enjoying how well its put together without the need to have the car on the limits all the time

[brad]

Yes. My first service is at 15,000kms.

15,000km service intervals are not LongLife Service. LongLife is the variable service intervals that can occur anywhere between 15,000km to 30,000km

If you respect your engine, the run-in oil should be replaced no later than 2000km. Then replacing the oil every 5,000 - 7,500km is also advisable. The long service intervals of 15,000km are just stupid! And mostly aimed at people who don't understand a regularly serviced car will last a lot longer and perform a lot better.

Modern VWs don't come with run-in oil.

Please advise which VW representative told you:

• VWs have run-in oil in them from new
• An oil change is due at 2000km
• services should be at 5000-7500km
• that 15,000km intervals were stupid.

If this is based on personal opinion, did you carry out an oil analysis to ascertain this or is it based on a gut feeling?

[Rocket36]

Hi Brad.

Please show me where I said anyone from VW told me anything to do with engine oil. Because I honestly can't find reference to it.

My actions are my actions only and based on years of experience in motor sport and common engine run-in techniques. I also maintain my vehicles based on what is best for them and NOT what the minimum recomendations of the manufacturer are.

Thanks for your concern matey!

Cheers

For the record though, the oil in the engine from the factory is different to the regular full synthetic oil I use.

Is this really the best thing for your engine? I was always told that you need really not extended the motor for the first 2000km as a minimum. Happy to be told otherwise.

Running in an engine on a race track is, in my opinion, the best method. Speed and engine revs can be easily controlled and varied in the right ways.

No Brad - nobody from VW told me this.

[Lance B]

15,000km service intervals are not LongLife Service. LongLife is the variable service intervals that can occur anywhere between 15,000km to 30,000km

To *me* LongLife *is* 15,000kms. There is *no* reference in the manual to LongLife service intervals anyway and my experience is that 15,000kms is long life and requires at the very least synthetic oils. Having said that, there is more to it than simple "put in synthetic oils and you can extend service intervals". Things like short duration driving and condensation build up are among some of the things that would require shorter service intervals.

Modern VWs don't come with run-in oil.

Well, maybe not a "run-in" oil as such, but it is not the same oil that they use after 15,000kms, according to one person I contacted at VW head office.

Please advise which VW representative told you:

• VWs have run-in oil in them from new

• see above.
  
• An oil change is due at 2000km
• services should be at 5000-7500km
• that 15,000km intervals were stupid.

If this is based on personal opinion, did you carry out an oil analysis to ascertain this or is it based on a gut feeling?[/QUOTE]

Well, I would suggest that there is no harm in doing less than 15,000km services and there is reason to think that it would do a whole lot of good. Why does someone need to carry out an oil analysis if they want to change the oil at more regular intervals?

I would think that if I spend upwards of $70,000 on a car, peace of mind is paramount and together with Rocket36, halfway servicing at 7,500kms is good insurance.

[Transporter]

I see no reference to VW approved oil being mandatory, only the spec, and in my case for the R36 that is VW504 00.

Lance B

Here is the list of approved oils for VW504.00
VW_50400_50700.pdf
That VW50400 oil should also be 5W-30 oil

P.S. I checked that NEO oils and only oil they have for VW50400 is 0W-30 so how they can say it meets when it doesn't even meet the viscosity range.

http://www.gccorp.com.au/automotive/product_info.php?cPath=54_57&products_id=83

[Rocket36]

This is getting old... Why do people continue to argue once they've been proven wrong?

NEO Platinum 0W30 is multi-viscosity lubricant that's not even based on petrolium. It's SPECIFICATIONS meet that of VW50400 and VW50700.

It's specifications are:

API: SM/CF; EC
ACEA: A5/B5-04
ILSAC: GF-4
JASO: VTW; MA
NMMA: FC-W
US MIL: 46152E; 2104F

Viscosity and specifications are different!!! Jesus Christ! Give it up mate!