Far be it from me to start an oil thread.
(sitting on 100qts of VR-1 still...)
But here goes.
I'm looking at synthetic oil options for the M3. PO has been running Mobil1 0-40. Thats fine and dandy. I'm considering switching to Amsoil for it and there's a program where you get "dealer pricing" for a small annual fee. This involves ordering online for a pretty good discount off retail.
Is anybody doing this currently, and is it worth it?
Not neccessary to start a brand discussion, we know how those end.
Yeah, I've done that. It's close to a wash, but I like Amsoil better than Mobil1. Was just looking for glowing reports, but maybe there aren't any. Buying online would tend to make me buy in bulk, and that's fine. This program is actually a lead-in to Amsoil dealership if desired. Maybe I would consider it and make my stepson fill orders and ship oil and filters for me. It would be better than living a pseudo-life in his X-Box.
I have used Amsoil manual transmission fluid because it was the closest modern substitute for a GL-4. That being said the motor oil is pretty pricey and frankly I don't think it is necessary, not on an s50 / m50. I would stick with the Mobil 1. Also, I have gotten very good deals on the BMW 5w-30 synthetic, which is an excellent oil too and from what I have been told it is a solid choice for the 90s generation motors.
I have been using Amsoil in everything I own for about 35 years. My stuff has always had really long dependable life. My brother and I took over my dad's dealership when he passed away. My brother pays the dues and I buy it from our local NAPA at dealer cost. Amsoil has some really excellent products.
bbaxter wrote:I have been using Amsoil in everything I own for about 35 years. My stuff has always had really long dependable life. My brother and I took over my dad's dealership when he passed away. My brother pays the dues and I buy it from our local NAPA at dealer cost. Amsoil has some really excellent products.
I have been using it for a very long time as well. I started using it because Mobil 1 seemed (no analytic, just observation) to cause seal leaks in the older cars and Amsoil did not. My only concern was when my former X5 4.6is started to make some noise. It turned out to be timing chain noise and nothing to do with the oil (I mention this because I don't believe I posted the concern and did not close the loop). I have a Ford E350 with 210k on it with Amsoil products in the tranny and engine, both of which perform like new. I use it in all the cars. That said, it might be overkill as I still change the oil every 5k. I have never done the cost analysis vs other products. Once I find something that works, I tend to stick with it. The other issue is of course how long you are going to keep the car.
When I bought my truck in 2005 (my first NEW car), I started right away with Amsoil synthetic. I did the preferred pricing thing. It seemed like a good idea when other people were interested in ordering oil and we could all save, but I did it for numerous years and I was the only one buying the oil. On top of that, I only had to change it a few times a year in the truck, so I wasn't saving myself any more money, maybe even spending more by buying into the program then not taking advantage of the savings.
Anyway, I called it quits. If you want Amsoil, find a local dealer. I am sure there are a thousand of them in Phoenix. Haggle with them and get your discounted price!
I thought Amsoil was an Amway product. I was wrong. Seems they make a fine product and I'll tell you my experience.
Years ago, Moms was driving her '95 Windstar and the headgasket blew. She pulled off the freeway and found the neighborhood not to her liking. 3 neighborhoods later she still didn't want to get out of the van and kept driving. She finally ended up in my driveway and the thing seized. I put the van on a flat bed without even looking at it as it smelled and sounded THAT bad. PartZ car for sure. Long story short, the tech knew that the Windstar was an Amsoil car its whole life and pulled the pan to find the main bearings just fine! Threw a head on it and she's pushing 250k today. I guess what I'm trying to say is that my moms drives a 95 Windstar and I'm obviously adopted.
Amsoil should never be put into a new engine. You should break-in the engine first with about 7,000 to 8,000 miles of regular oil to seat the rings. Amsoil lubricates so will it won't allow new rings to seat.
I've been using Amsoil for over 15 yrs. in the E12 with the 2.8ltr. M30 and now with the S38. I've been very happy with their products. The shop that services the E12 also uses the same products on their race cars with positive results.
bbaxter wrote:Amsoil should never be put into a new engine. You should break-in the engine first with about 7,000 to 8,000 miles of regular oil to seat the rings. Amsoil lubricates so will it won't allow new rings to seat.
Righto. All of mine were broken in with the factory oil. The racing S14's were broken in on dino oil and switched as well.
I've been an Amsoil "preferred member" for many years now. It makes sense because I order for all the cars that use synthetic in the family. My e36, the motorhome (yes, we run synthetic in the RV), Mom's new Subaru, dad's MG, and formerly my m30 turbo 5s.
Amsoil is a top tier synthetic at least on par with the rest of the "good stuff" in terms of motor oil. Composition tech sheets are readily available, and they have a few formulations with better than adequate levels of zddp. I prefer them because I always know where to get it. My dad used to run Castrol Syntec in his MG, but it was a crap shoot trying to find the correct 20-50 version in an autoparts store. He'd drive and call and drive, sometimes not being able to find any of what he wanted, or not enough. This is the time period when 20W50 Castrol Syntec came in two versions, one with reduced zddp and one "for classic cars" with more normal levels.
With Amsoil, there's no runaround. I know it's always a few days away because we mail order it so I do have to keep stock on the shelves, but it's better than rolling the dice with Wal-Mart or any of the local autoparts stores. Since we have multiple cars using their oil, the preferred program makes sense. They also supply Mann oil filters for BMWs, but I haven't checked to see if their pricing is better or worse than others. One stop shopping has advantages.
