That is actually a different product to the one I linked to, but they are both suitable for a Fiat 500 and are both C3 rated.
Technical Oil Change
- Thread starter Harbuzi
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Oil Change
Actually, so is this, and look at the price.
http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69392-castrol-magnatec-5w-40-c3-fully-synthetic-engine-oil.aspx
I've read the specs and it says it complies with Fiat.
Ooh didn't see that. Can't remember how much I paid for my Castrol Edge, I'm sure it was only £17 or something like that.
You were indeed a lucky man then if you only paid 17 quid for (I assume 4 litres) of Edge. I used to be a member of Costco, but I wasn't using it enough to justify the 25 quid a year membership.
Realistically, I think no main dealer or local independent is going to buy / supply Castrol, even at a discount. The products may be good but they are basically a prestige consumer brand (or Label) targeting the public who want something better than a Halfords special.. You're paying largely for the advertising and sponsorship, historically their oils have been "under-engineered" compared to smaller independent brands ... their Mineral GTX is labelled "synthetic technology" where others would be genuinely semi-synthetic. I think Magnatec is aimed at the semi-informed consumer, it's not adopted or recommended by any manufacturers.
Maybe I'm just annoyed that this classic British brand was bought by BP and the Ellesmere Port blending plant was shut down and the production shifted to Europe somewhere. If I'm paying a lot for an imported oil, I'd go for Selenia or Agip. Or Total/ Elf or Fuchs.
Maybe I'm just annoyed that this classic British brand was bought by BP and the Ellesmere Port blending plant was shut down and the production shifted to Europe somewhere. If I'm paying a lot for an imported oil, I'd go for Selenia or Agip. Or Total/ Elf or Fuchs.
Realistically though, Castrol Edge 5w40 is C3 rated.
Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I above all respect that.
Personally, I have been using Castrol Magnatec for years. Certainly I used it in my old Primera for as long as I can remember. I also use it in my Chrysler Neon (off the road and garaged now) and I have never had a problem with it. Clearly, my old Primera loved the stuff. It never burnt a drop between changes.
Despite the above, I'm going to give Fuchs a try in the Fiat. I've been given enough info and read enough about the product to make me believe it is worth a try.
My Cadillac gets serviced by a main dealer and I think they shove Mobil 1 in that. Anyone know what the price of gold is these days?.......
Personally, I have been using Castrol Magnatec for years. Certainly I used it in my old Primera for as long as I can remember. I also use it in my Chrysler Neon (off the road and garaged now) and I have never had a problem with it. Clearly, my old Primera loved the stuff. It never burnt a drop between changes.
Despite the above, I'm going to give Fuchs a try in the Fiat. I've been given enough info and read enough about the product to make me believe it is worth a try.
My Cadillac gets serviced by a main dealer and I think they shove Mobil 1 in that. Anyone know what the price of gold is these days?.......
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2010
- Messages
- 3,696
- Points
- 796
I've often wondered what the flow of money is where a manufacturer recommends a particular oil. Does the oil co pay the car co for being "bigged up" or does the car co pay the oil co for using their luxury oil? or is it all just done without fear or favour?
Call me a cynic but I have always suspected that car co's earn money from nominating a particular oil/fuel as their preferred partner in the same way that Pot Noodle pays to be the preferred snack food partner of the Wolverhampton Area Indoor Hula Hoop Championships (or whatever).
Call me a cynic but I have always suspected that car co's earn money from nominating a particular oil/fuel as their preferred partner in the same way that Pot Noodle pays to be the preferred snack food partner of the Wolverhampton Area Indoor Hula Hoop Championships (or whatever).
ahmett
Prominent member
Its all about Marketing! Petronas is selenia and Petronas is a Malaysian major! So why not give Fiat a discount on their oil products in return for them recommending it as the 'official Fiat oil'!
Its all rubbish really, the only thing that matters is are the specs.
Its like Shell Fuel Save. What, did someone expect to increase mpg by 5 because Shell now calls its unleaded regular 'fuel save'?
Last edited:
Obviously, everyone is entitled to their opinion and I above all respect that.
Personally, I have been using Castrol Magnatec for years. Certainly I used it in my old Primera for as long as I can remember. I also use it in my Chrysler Neon (off the road and garaged now) and I have never had a problem with it. Clearly, my old Primera loved the stuff. It never burnt a drop between changes.
Despite the above, I'm going to give Fuchs a try in the Fiat. I've been given enough info and read enough about the product to make me believe it is worth a try.
My Cadillac gets serviced by a main dealer and I think they shove Mobil 1 in that. Anyone know what the price of gold is these days?.......
My 500 seems happy enough on Selenia. The only time it used any significant amount was when we were on the continent doing 85-90mph for hours on end. I think it used about 200ml over the 2000 or so miles it did which is well within the specifications that Fiat allow for. It burns a little between services, but not so much that you'd need to actually top it up tbh.......
Tbh, it's just the price of Selenia that puts me off.
I've only just got off the phone to a very local independent Alfa/Fiat specialist garage only a few hundred metres away from where I live. I asked him what oil he uses and he stated Selenia telling me he only ever uses it because of the warranty issues surrounding customer vehicles who don't want to pay stealership prices. Bearing in mind that the wife's 500 will only have covered approx 6000 miles come end of Feb 12 after year one, he has just quoted me 100 quid plus VAT to do an oil/filter change and a basic inspection of the car to stay within warranty. I've seen his premises, and they are clean and very professional (but full of Alfa's!!)
I've only just got off the phone to a very local independent Alfa/Fiat specialist garage only a few hundred metres away from where I live. I asked him what oil he uses and he stated Selenia telling me he only ever uses it because of the warranty issues surrounding customer vehicles who don't want to pay stealership prices. Bearing in mind that the wife's 500 will only have covered approx 6000 miles come end of Feb 12 after year one, he has just quoted me 100 quid plus VAT to do an oil/filter change and a basic inspection of the car to stay within warranty. I've seen his premises, and they are clean and very professional (but full of Alfa's!!)
Tbh, it's just the price of Selenia that puts me off.
I've only just got off the phone to a very local independent Alfa/Fiat specialist garage only a few hundred metres away from where I live. I asked him what oil he uses and he stated Selenia telling me he only ever uses it because of the warranty issues surrounding customer vehicles who don't want to pay stealership prices. Bearing in mind that the wife's 500 will only have covered approx 6000 miles come end of Feb 12 after year one, he has just quoted me 100 quid plus VAT to do an oil/filter change and a basic inspection of the car to stay within warranty. I've seen his premises, and they are clean and very professional (but full of Alfa's!!)
I had a full service for £120-£130
All genuine parts, oil and NGK branded plugs. NGK plugs are fine as they actually make the Fiat branded ones
I had a full service for £120-£130
I take it 120-130 quid wasn't main stealership prices for a full (18k) service?
It was
Parts and oil supplied by me, £70 for the labour from them. £70 still left them with a healthy profit margin I'm sure.
Well I have plenty of time on my hands and a thousand free minutes on the mobile, so I'll have a good 'phone around the 'local' Fiat dealerships and some more independents and see what they come up with. And to stay on topic, obviously I'll ask them what oil they're shoving in!
Pretty much. If I'm honest I actually think the Shell Fuel Save fuel is a bit better though.
Personally I'm happy to buy any oil meeting the standards laid out by Fiat and which is made by a reputable company.
My tip is to talk to the independent garages first and find out their labour charge per hour, then talk to the dealers. Some will not budge on price, some like my dealer will realise that if they don't lower their price then I won't be using them at all so it's a choice between less profit and no profit. For the minimal amount of time it takes them to get the car up on a lift, check the tyres, undo the oil filter, chuck in a new air filter, undo the plugs, put new plugs and new oil in, £70 is still not bad
ahmett
Prominent member
http://www.mobil1.co.uk/synthetic-engine-oils/bmw-approved-esp-0w-30.aspx
Is this the most advanced oil on sale? What are the benefits?
It is C3 so can be fiat style!
Is this the most advanced oil on sale? What are the benefits?
It is C3 so can be fiat style!
Last edited:
True, it is C3 certified, but I personally wouldn't use it because of the viscosity. Fiat recommend 5w40. There must be a reason for it.
