I would guess probably not. "Synthetic" oil is only a label, not weither it is a class III or Class IV with ester base. Class IV with ester base is what you're looking for when the term synthetic is used. The US Castrol Syntech is a class III oil containing zero ester base and costs much less, however they charge just as much as Mobil1 which is an ester base class IV. I do not know the case with the new Castrol Edge.
With any class III oil labeled as synthetic, the big difference is going to the be the life of the oil and how well it holds up against sheering.
I run 5w-50 Castrol in all my cars, the 740i, S500 and LandCruiser. I just will not go 10k miles, usally about 6-7k before an oil change.
I use Castrol Edge too. Any BMW that is the E38/E39/E46 generation or newer I would not use anything else! The stuff is pure magic!
Bexar, how long have you been using the Castrol 5W-50? I've been using the Mobil 1 in my 740i and Chrysler. I've been using Castrol in my Mustang since new without any issues whatsoever.
So what I'm reading is that Mobil 1 is the better oil.
Well I am pretty sure Castrol actually work with BMW and their oils are approved by BMW too. I have never tried Mobil 1, though.
I've used Mobil 1 0w40 and am now running Castol 0w30. No difference that i've noticed.
I've used Mobil 1 for almost 20 years
My oil cap states something to the affect that BMW recommends Castrol Fully Synthetic. Thanks voodoomelon for the information.
There is actually 3 different Castrol Syntec Oils
Syntec Synthetic
Syntec Synthetic - European Formula (states this on front of bottle)
Syntec Synthetic - Edge (newest one, supposed to be the best one)
The last two are virtually the same as BMW oil - was told by BMW they just repackage the European Formula for their brand.
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Worth noting that Mobil 1 is not a Group IV oil anymore. It was incredible stuff until the Exxon Mobil merger, and now isn't what it used to be. The best stuff out there as far as I'm concerned is Red Line, which is a true Group IV ester base oil, that also has high amounts of ZDDP.
What's the deal on Royal Purple?
After looking around the web some. It appears that Amsoil is a superior oil
Last edited by bstar; 10-11-2009 at 10:55 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Castrol is the factory fill for BMW, so naturally it's what they recommend, as well. Their Castrol is specially formulated for them, however, and is not the same as the stuff you buy on the shelf (although it's comparable).
I prefer Mobil 1. I had a volvo that only got Mobil 1 its whole life. I made a mistake with the timing belt and bent a couple exhaust valves. When I tore the head apart to replace the valves, the cylinder walls were still cross hatched. The engine had virtually no wear on it whatsoever.
It was right around 160k miles. For this reason, I'll continue using Mobil 1.
Man, that is great to hear!! Don't have time to change my own oil, so it's BMW 5W-30 full synthetic at the dealer for me.
I just couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on either one. Mobil 1, BMW oil, Rotella T synthetic have got great reviews for quite a bit less (depending where you get it).
Last edited by mcallister; 10-11-2009 at 01:52 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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My dealer, and a guy standing at the counter told me that Castrol EDGE and regular Castrol is exactly the same, its just branding.
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Definitely good information.
Mobil 1 here, however if you can get your hands on Some
5W-30 Lubro Moly's then you've got the real stuff. It's from Germany and it is the best stuff.
Company's like Castrol deal with American laws with deceive the people into thinking they are getting something when they are really not.
As far as I know you cannot buy the Lubro Moly's in nothing but 1 quart bottles and that can get into your pocket.
Strait
Lubro Moly 5-40 is $9.40 qt.
I dunno, I asked him for 7 litres and he started putting down the regular stuff and I asked "do you not have and EDGE?". He said that its the exact same stuff and that EDGE is just for the stores, the guy beside me was a mechanic and he said the same.
Maybe the change of oil alone in your engine made it run smoother.
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