Something to think about

[fontana]

When buying your oil cheap on line.
It's probably cheap for a reason.

http://www.ukantipiracy.co.uk/carliquid ... quids.html

[milleplod]

That's why it makes sense to buy 'cheap' oil from reputable retailers....such as Unipart.

Pete

[fontana]

That's why it makes sense to buy 'cheap' oil from reputable retailers....such as Unipart.

Pete

Exactly
Oil has to be one of the easiest things to fake.
All you need is a load of high grade oil containers, a means of resealing them, and a source of cheapo oil.
Not rocket science.
I mean who actually checks what they're putting in.

[slparry]

and why I only fit genuine oil filters too

[milleplod]

I usually stick with genuine filters, but I have used Mann/Mahle too - I think they manufacture the BMW-branded ones.

Pete

[boxerscott]

Not all inexpensive oil is hookey. Castrol Edge is a brand leader, the packaging and marketing must account for 50pc of the unit cost. That is why Bernie Ecc is rich. There are reputable inexpensive oils exactly of the same grade as the market leaders and I would suggest that the only difference is the container it comes in.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0349652001

This is what I use and you get 5litres not 4 as is the case with Cashtrol

"The difference between the fake product and the real deal was a spelling mistake on the label"... said an oil company representative.. in tests the fake stuff may have been comparable?

[slparry]

I usually stick with genuine filters, but I have used Mann/Mahle too - I think they manufacture the BMW-branded ones.

Pete

They do, but I get a wee bit paranoid about fakes in the Mahle packaging so generally fit OEM BMW ones, other stuff I'm not as fussed about but oil filters I don't mind chucking a couple of quid more on for the peace of mind of knowing it's a factory one that has some recourse if it fails

[fontana]

Not all inexpensive oil is hookey. Castrol Edge is a brand leader, the packaging and marketing must account for 50pc of the unit cost. That is why Bernie Ecc is rich. There are reputable inexpensive oils exactly of the same grade as the market leaders and I would suggest that the only difference is the container it comes in.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0349652001

This is what I use and you get 5litres not 4 as is the case with Cashtrol

"The difference between the fake product and the real deal was a spelling mistake on the label"... said an oil company representative.. in tests the fake stuff may have been comparable?

Sorry, but that all sounds well dodgy.
Even the link doesn't work
Never take any chances with oil.

[milleplod]

The fact is that you don't have to buy stupidly expensive, branded oil to get the right protection for your engine. As long as you buy from a reputable outlet, and as long as the oil meets the spec required, it will be fine.

Halfords/Unipart/ECP/Tesco et al don't make oil - they have mainstream stuff rebranded for them to retail. If anyone thinks a Castrol-branded 15w40 that meets, for example, API SL is giving them more protection than ECP's Triple QX of the same spec at half the price, they're delusional. But at least they're happy, as are most deluded people.

Pete

[fontana]

The fact is that you don't have to buy stupidly expensive, branded oil to get the right protection for your engine. As long as you buy from a reputable outlet, and as long as the oil meets the spec required, it will be fine.

Halfords/Unipart/ECP/Tesco et al don't make oil - they have mainstream stuff rebranded for them to retail. If anyone thinks a Castrol-branded 15w40 that meets, for example, API SL is giving them more protection than ECP's Triple QX of the same spec at half the price, they're delusional. But at least they're happy, as are most deluded people.

Pete

My Nephew used to be a manager in Asda.
At one point they were selling their own branded oil for £6 for 4 litres.
It was recycled and cleaned, second hand aviation oil.
It met all the necessary specs though, but knowing that, would you put it in your expensive car engine.
I'd rather use a branded quality oil from a reputable retailer.
Yes of course people profit..
Do you ever eat out ?
Do you know how much of your bill goes in clear profit to the restaurant ?
Do you like a pint or two.
Again, loads of money back to the brewery.
And so on.
It's no good pointing the finger and calling anyone stupid for being fussy about the most important component in their engine.
I'm sure there are plenty of things you spend your money on which are pointless

[milleplod]

Its all in the marketing.

I use what I'm happy with, as I'm sure others do.

Oh, I didn't call anybody stupid btw....I referred to 'stupidly expensive' oil, and people being deluded.

Pete

[fontana]

Its all in the marketing.

I use what I'm happy with, as I'm sure others do.

Oh, I didn't call anybody stupid btw....I referred to 'stupidly expensive' oil, and people being deluded.

Pete

Well I think if you drink alcohol and eat out, you are deluded.
90% of what you spend is pure pure profit.
Oh and let's all stop buying petrol.
75% of what you pay goes in revenue to the treasury.

[f90x]

I usually stick with genuine filters, but I have used Mann/Mahle too - I think they manufacture the BMW-branded ones.

Pete

They do, but I get a wee bit paranoid about fakes in the Mahle packaging so generally fit OEM BMW ones, other stuff I'm not as fussed about but oil filters I don't mind chucking a couple of quid more on for the peace of mind of knowing it's a factory one that has some recourse if it fails

I get my Castrol oil and K&N oil filter (It has a nice nut on the end) from M&P for about £38. I trust M&P to source it all from reputable suppliers and I'm happy with K&N as filters is their game and I like the aforementioned nut

[milleplod]

My Nephew used to be a manager in Asda.
At one point they were selling their own branded oil for £6 for 4 litres.
It was recycled and cleaned, second hand aviation oil.
It met all the necessary specs though, but knowing that, would you put it in your expensive car engine.

Can you provide a link to that claim, or is it anecdotal?

If it was 'recycled', it would never have met the spec. If it was, however, 're-refined', it would have done. And if it met the spec.....well, does one oil meet the spec better than another that meets the same spec?

Pete

[fontana]

Can you provide a link to that claim, or is it anecdotal?

It was from my Nephew, who is a manager there.
I have no reason to think he would lie.

If it was 'recycled', it would never have met the spec. If it was, however, 're-refined', it would have done. And if it met the spec.....well, does one oil meet the spec better than another that meets the same spec?

Pete

Actually, oil is often recycled and re refined, and still meets the spec.
There is nothing illegal or underhand about it, and in fact it is considered good for the environment.
The point is though, that you are buying second hand oil.
It may work, and if I was running an old banger, I'd buy it, but to use it in a high performance high(er) revving sports motorcycle engine, is daft.
Perhaps if you're the sort of person who moves a bike on every year or two, then it doesn't matter, but if you plan on keeping a bike or car long term, and would like to see it go around the clock at least once, then it makes sense to use the best oil you can.
Look at the stuff you buy.
£10 for 5 litres.
I see that is inclusive of post.
So let's say, for arguments sake it's a few quid to send.
Taking into account profit margin, of let's say, another few quid per unit, that means they're buying it in for about £4.00 per five litres.
I mean come on.
What do you think you're getting for that.
As the adage goes, if something's cheap, it's cheap for a reason.