Don't count on anything on ebay being genuine. I bought some heads for my electric toothbrush on there, from a UK seller. Something as trivial as them were fake, I sent them to Oral-B for them to check. They were pretty convincing, but the clues were there if you looked hard enough.

It would be very tempting for scumbags to bottle up any old rubbish as posh oil, as there's a hefty premium. Who'd know whether if was real?

I got two lots from ECP, it arrived a day or two later. It's 100% genuine own-brand goodness! And at £16-odd for oil and filter for a Croma it's stunning value.

does oil have a shelf life? Asda is always doing Castrol at cheap price, i don't buy it as i hate castrol car engine oil

Shell life is about 5 years, if I'm not mistaken.
But I often use Castrol that's more than 5 years, no problem.
( Production date is stamped on them).
Again, I buy it in large quantities, I have enough dry space, and I keep my cars and bikes loooooong time, so no need for the latests oil specs.

I'll check date next time asda does it cheap then, maybe its all nearly 5 years old

i cant find a date on this qx, unless its coded? there is 9716308 stamped on container

I even used synthetic Castrol oil that I bought more than 10 years ago..
Remember, oil is already millions of years old....

More info:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/

dave said:

I'll check date next time asda does it cheap then, maybe its all nearly 5 years old

i cant find a date on this qx, unless its coded? there is 9716308 stamped on container

Click to expand...

I've used their home delivery service for containers of cheap Castrol,
the shop is an Hour away - so paying £2 delivery on 3 x 5 litre packs is a bargain = £32 all in

unfortunately I have to rely on forum members letting me know when the deals are on.. I'm WELL out of their Advertising region,
Charlie

Charly, internet is your friend...!!

( what date is stamped on your Castrol..??)

Oil specs change over time with engine development. I suspect one can trace the development by comparing the oil spec given in old FIAT handbooks against more recent issues. That old can from grandad’s shed won’t be up-to the job - & I wouldn’t be surprised if offering old stock for retail sale isn’t committing some offence (?)

130306

Halfords have got their oil at a tenner again this weekend. I got myself 3 cans:thumbup:

Just been on tele-- its only for 4ltr though-- we need 5 for each oil change but its good value really.

I'm close to 8.000 miles, so I am preparing to change the engine oil and I wan to try something else than Selenia WR 5W40. So, in my research, I found this oil, which has a good reputation, is made in Germany, it is fully synthetic, has low ash for DPF, etc. I've found out that, Liqui Moly is buying the base oil from Ravenol, so that's another plus. The price is excellent, less than half compared to Selenia WR 5W40. What you guys think ?! Anyone else used or know something about this oil ?

Cheers,
Roberto

As long as it equals or exceeds all the specs of the recommended oil it won't do any harm. I've been running Halfords fully synthetic 5w30 for the last year. It surpasses the specs and I got it when it was £10 a tub.

I changed my oil a few weeks ago. Contrary to handbook which says 5w40 my local garage checked on computer and the correct oil is 5w30 c2 fully synthetic. As long as the brand meets these requirements it is safe to use. You dont have to pay inflated prices for supposedly premium oil.

I had one of Halfords 4l for £10 5W-30 fully syn VX spec £10 left from the summer and bought another 2 at Christmas so I should be OK for a couple of years.

It seems fine to me and I change it every year but will it be as good as a £30 oil - probably not. But since I'm not planning on going anywhere near the oil change warning limit I'm hoping it should be fine. Or at least as good as anything else on the car

I see your points. But here I can't find an oil that cheap. For you to make an idea, last year I paid £11 for only one liter of Selenia WR 5W40 and I bought 6, as I it comes in 2 liter package and we need 4.5 liter + some spare for topping up. Now £30 (Ravenol VMO 5W40) is better than £60 (Selenia WR 5W40), and I'm searching a better oil than Selenia WR, not because Selenia its expensive, but there must be a better oil than this. I'm planning to keep the car for few more years, so I am interested in protecting the engine, so a good oil is required, that's why I asked if anyone knew something about Ravenol or the VMO 5W40 from them. Well, I need more research.

Selenia oil is made from genuine snakes, the others extract it from worms.

Apologies if English is not your first language and this makes no sense! This may help...

[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil[/ame]

I get the right grade, don't bother about the low ash thing - I reckon the amount of ash from the oil will be insignificant compared to setting fire to a thousand or so litres of diesel.

I see your point Doofer. Yes, English is not my first language, but the article in Wiki cleared it out for me. The more I get into the matter, the more confused I get. Seems easier, even if isn't, to find the right woman, than finding the perfect engine oil

Just to go slightly off on a tangent here.

My last car was a '56 Vauxhall Astra Petrol Estate.

Went through 5 Litres of oil every two months.

I too eventuially gave up geting the 'nice' oil and went to Wilkinsons.

The Vauxhall Garage just shrugged and said some cars use more oil than others...

Glad I got shot of it and got my lovely Croma...

Gaz

Ah yes but did you know it was a Vaux**** lurking underneath when you bought it? Or did you have a shocked look on your face and a wibble dribble coming out of the corner of your mouth, while yor missus contacted the doctors?