Prices for a Service $$$$

[Transporter]

Because I have a crazy french mechanic who keeps on trying to convince me to buy a Renault Megane Sport 265 he keeps on slipping in Elf oil. It's an approved oil so no dramas.

If it's the latest approval (504.00), then it's actually TOTAL QUARTZ INEO LLife 5W30. Great oil I use it most of the time.

Total and ELF is one company.

[Diesel_vert]

I believe Quantum lubricants are rebranded or repackaged products, most likely from a major lubricant manufacturer (probably Castrol), and largely (but not exclusively) aimed at VW dealers, garages and workshops in the UK market. Synta is just one of the labels Quantum use.

Their products have received approvals for all current VW engine oil standards (stands to reason really), so it's just a matter of picking the right product for your Mk5 Golf (i.e. VW 502.00 or 504.00).

However, it is unlikely you will find Quantum products being distributed in Australia - though happy to be proven otherwise.



In regards to oil choice, as long as it has been approved to VW 504.00/507.00, I'd settle for whatever is cheapest or easiest to obtain, but that's just me.

[Transporter]

That's probably correct.
But, not to be confused with Quartz Ineo from Total. Total (ELF) products are made in France, at least the ones I'm using (504/507).

[squibby]

I believe Quantum lubricants are rebranded or repackaged products, most likely from a major lubricant manufacturer (probably Castrol), and largely (but not exclusively) aimed at VW dealers, garages and workshops in the UK market. Synta is just one of the labels Quantum use.

Their products have received approvals for all current VW engine oil standards (stands to reason really), so it's just a matter of picking the right product for your Mk5 Golf (i.e. VW 502.00 or 504.00).

However, it is unlikely you will find Quantum products being distributed in Australia - though happy to be proven otherwise.



In regards to oil choice, as long as it has been approved to VW 504.00/507.00, I'd settle for whatever is cheapest or easiest to obtain, but that's just me.

Ok Thanks, it was indeed in the UK when I was bying VAG Synta oil. Sticking to an aussie theme I've found NULON oil is the cheapest VAG504/507 spec I could find at $59 per 5litre bottle. Apparently Nulon is a pretty trusted brand as well? It looks to be blended in australia and I don't think I've ever bought an australian product that was bad. That said though I'd rather spend the extra $30 on the German made Liquimoly. $30 ain't a big deal for me for a $1000 service, but I think I will switch to Nulon for my wifes Caddy Tdi.

[Umai Naa!!]

Nulon doesn't have Volkswagen approval, though.

Shell Helix Ultra Extra 5W30 is usually pretty cheap.

[Lucas_R]

Nulon doesn't have Volkswagen approval, though.

^ this. Nulon and Valvoline both have an oil that says "meets or exceeds VW 504/507" but they are not actually approved oils.

- Shell Helix Ultra Extra is approved
- Liqui-Moly 4200 Top Tec is approved
- Penrite Enviro+ is approved

Shell Helix is the cheapest out of this bunch (around $65-70 or so), with Penrite and Liqui Moly being around $80-90

[Diesel_vert]

Total and ELF is one company.

Yes, that's correct. Total merged with PetroFina (Belgium) in 1999 and Elf Aquitaine (France) in 2000. As a result, there many equivalent products shared amongst the three brands.

E.g. Total Activa Ineo 504-507 = Total Quartz Ineo 504-507 = Fina First 500 504-507 = Elf Excellium TDI = Elf Solaris LLX.

Activa is a label used in the French domestic market. The Quartz label is used for all other markets. The Ineo label is used to signify a reduced-SAPS oil for Total branded products.

Availability would probably depend on whichever brand has the strongest familiarity or penetration in a particular market. For instance, Fina products are widely distributed in Europe, but currently not in Australia.

Total Activa/Quartz Ineo Long Life appears to be a newer product or reformulation of Total Activa/Quartz Ineo 504-507.

Ok Thanks, it was indeed in the UK when I was bying VAG Synta oil. Sticking to an aussie theme I've found NULON oil is the cheapest VAG504/507 spec I could find at $59 per 5litre bottle. Apparently Nulon is a pretty trusted brand as well? It looks to be blended in australia and I don't think I've ever bought an australian product that was bad.

As others have stated, Nulon currently doesn't have VW approval, so VW will pass on any warranty claims relating to lubrication-based engine faults to the lubricant manufacturer (i.e. Nulon).

Whether or not you use Nulon may depend on how much faith you put into their performance claims and their warranty/guarantee policies (if any), and whether or not your vehicle/s are still under factory warranty.

Having said that, people who use Nulon products in other vehicles seem to be quite satisfied.

That said though I'd rather spend the extra $30 on the German made Liquimoly. $30 ain't a big deal for me for a $1000 service, but I think I will switch to Nulon for my wifes Caddy Tdi.

Liqui-Moly make fine products, so if you like it, use it.

Fuchs is another big German brand that is distributed here. You'll mostly find them stocked at your local Burson Auto Parts store. Haven't got a firm price, but $60-$70 seems to be the going rate for their Titan GT1 PRO C-3 5W-30 (504/507) product.

Nulon and Valvoline both have an oil that says "meets or exceeds VW 504/507" but they are not actually approved oils.

Contrary to first thoughts, Valvoline SynPower XL-III 5W-30 is actually on Volkswagen's list of 504/507 approved oils.

The only negative is that Valvoline appears to distribute them in 20 L containers or 208 L drums, so it's not exactly practical for most retail consumers.