What oil would you recommend (ctxt!)

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Oil is one of those things where Better is really only better if you have the need, or can actually use the advantage(s), one oil has over another.

For a Street driven Boxster, Mobil 1 is more than adequate. Is it as good as Royal Purple, Red Line or Amsoil? There can be measurable differences in the Lab, which are either not present in real life, or unnecessary.

If a car engine can go 300k mi. on Red Line without excessive wear, using Mobil may be just as good for 298k mi. with the same result. But, if the Red Line (or other premium brands) cost 10%-20% more than Mobil 1, then there is probably no positive cost/benefit to using it.

If you're racing the car, the premium oils may have advantages which you will actually realize, such as high-temp performance and such. But, again, in a street car, you'll probably never need, or realize, these advantages.

The one thing to realize is that you're never going to hurt the car using Mobil 1, it's a very good Oil. And, you probably won't forestall any breakdown or reduce repair costs when using any of the premiums over Mobil 1 either, it'll just cost you more.

The key is proper change intervals, and from all the research, this appears to be between 7500 and 10k mi. Porsche says longer, but their interval was established as much with Marketing in mind as actual testing. Also, the Porsche interval is qualified to be under ideal driving conditions which almost no one encounters. Your region's avg. temps, the environment in your area (such as Dusty - anyone regularly using the Expressway falls into this category), and your driving style can all reduce the recommended change interval. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[CJ_Boxster]

Thats true, but i like havin peice of mind knowing that I've experienced better results with RP over Mobile1 and that since i opted for Royal Purple, i have more peice of mind knowing that if i decide to autox or drive the engine harder or higher rpms, that i have purchased the oil that has a better reputation (in my eyes) as far as internal engine protection goes.

Maybe if Mobile1 had polishing molicules then i would switch back, but I've come to trust RP over the years. I guess you have to try it before you dismiss it as marketing hype.

[Brucelee]

I would use Red Line 5W-40 oil. For your application, I consider it superior to the M1 0W-40. This oil will cover you in summer and winter and frankly, if you race the car too.

M1 is good, Red Line is better, based on the data sheets and used oil analysis.

I would NOT use 15-50 weight oil UNLESS you are actually tracking the car hard.

Do NOT use a straight weight oil in the car, period.

Those are the only two oils I would recommend at this time.

Good luck.

[chgolatin2]

Amsoil is the best oil PERIOD! No other oil company has done extensive research and development, a bit on the expensive side but its worth it. Becomes cheaper if you become a wholesale member. Mobil 1, Red Line, Royal Purple are all good products however my personal pref is Amsoil....

If you look into your "MANUAL" it should answer all of your questions. Or you can place a call into the stealership and they will be happy to assist you and take your money in the process, lol!

Good luck!

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by chgolatin2

Amsoil is the best oil PERIOD! No other oil company has done extensive research and development, a bit on the expensive side but its worth it. Becomes cheaper if you become a wholesale member. Mobil 1, Red Line, Royal Purple are all good products however my personal pref is Amsoil....

If you look into your "MANUAL" it should answer all of your questions. Or you can place a call into the stealership and they will be happy to assist you and take your money in the process, lol!

Good luck!

Sorry, that dog won't hunt. AMSOIL is a very good PAO oil, but it does NOT do better in UOA nor is its base oil better than Red Line's Polyolester.

Since you can buy Red Line for the same price as the M1 or the Amsoil, I would recommend the Red Line over the other two.

All are excellent oils.

[Brucelee]

:No other oil company has done extensive research and development",

This is one of the funnier lines I have seen. I know it comes right from the AMSOIL website literature.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Oil questions will always bring varying replies because there is a lot of Brand Loyalty out there generously promoted by the Oil Cos. themselves.

In a search for empirical truth, there is probably one Oil which is better than the others. But, these advantages are mostly unrealizable on a street car which changes it's oil every 7500 mi. or so.

As stated, any of these Oils, changed properly, will give as much benefit and protection as any of the others to within the nth degree. Cost therefore becomes a factor, because to pay more for advantages you cannot use means you're not really getting anything for your extra money.

But, people also have their favorites and derive the intangible of simply feeling better about having Brand X vs Brand Y and that's OK, choice makes America great.

Whatever, use any of the several Oils mentioned here (whatever your reasoning for choosing it), and you'll be OK.

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99