Amsoil and GF-4 - What impact will it have?

[buster]

Mobil 1 is now GF-4 and once the current inventory on the shelf is depleted, we will see M1 GF-4. More Boron has been added.

Amsoil said they are reformulated for 2005. How will Amsoil approach GF-4? And when they do, what incentive is their to buy their oils when Mobil 1 will meet and exceed any spec in the industry? Mobil 1 is just as capable and in some cases, more so, of extended drains then Amsoil. I look forward to seeing how Amsoil approaches GF-4. If the small blender doesn't exceed what is on the shelf by a large enough margin, forget it. It's too close as it is now for many people. Only RL, Neo and Synergyn seem to be dedicated for complete performance in their approach.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Reformulating and R&D plus spec testing has to be a tough financial burden on indy blenders. Gone (probally) is the day when they could just aquire top-rate base and adds, simply blend to desired properties according to known formulas. Now, as CE tech generally gets more advanced, an indy has their work cut out for them. Newest base and adds could easily become propriatry as well. I think the upcoming Z-report will shed light as to what the big oil co's are capable of. AMSoil should be kicking in the most money toward the test, they will benefit the most.

 

[buster]

Amsoil is in a tough position bc many always looked for the blenders to not comply with the API, meaning a stronger oil in some sense. I'm not counting the little guys out as I'm sure companies like Amsoil will come up with something great. Just makes it harder to compete it seems like.

 

[jthorner]

Would anyone like to take bets? My bet is that Amsoil will not certify their oils to GF-4 and will have all sorts of creative writing excuses for it.

John

 

[buster]

quote:

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Would anyone like to take bets? My bet is that Amsoil will not certify their oils to GF-4 and will have all sorts of creative writing excuses for it.

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My issue is this, in the last two Amsoil letters, they mention how they are in the process of formulating for GF-4. I asked them about it and they said they were. I have a hard time thinking Amsoil will drop the P level below 700ppm.

I just hope they formulate for maxium wear protection and make a good oil. Otherwise, their won't be a good reason to use it. I'd rather see the small blenders focus more on performance. Maybe Amsoil will make a line of racing oils and or only certify the XL line for GF-4?

I bet we see some Moly though. Amsoil is over due for a re-formulation IMO. Not saying their oils are not good, but they could be better at this point.

 

[Steve S]

Audi, wouldn't the independent buy an additive packsge from one of the major's

 

[Pablo]

90% of Amsoil dealers are idiots. 99% of practicing dealers make more money than I. (If you count all dealers there a ton that don't sell a thing). I don't hang with dealers, I don't go to the annual events. Lola may think I go with the flow, but if you know my record you'll think other wise.

I can't control the Amsoil marketing machine, so let's just not beach about it so much. All the Amsoil Superbowl halftime commercials, all the door pounding, all the telemarketing, the blimps, the radio adds, the adds in the WSJ, Playboy, WHJ, NY and LA Times, the ads during the evening TV news....Amsoil just pushes too hard

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As for Mo and the soluble forms, you KNOW the additive companies talk to Amsoil. Al Jr. isn't that much of an imbecile to not be thinking about it.

 

[Blue99]

quote:

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I have a hard time thinking Amsoil will drop the P level below 700ppm.

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Buster, not being critical here, but didn't GF-4 come out with a 600 PPM min and a 800 PPM max on phosphorus?

I keep seeing different numbers & makes me question whether I've got the most up-to-date data!

 

[Pablo]

800 ppm is the number AFAIK

 

[Blue99]

Thanks, Pablo.

BTW, as always, you do an excellent job of "defending" Amsoil & not getting "defensive".

We will have a beer commercial referee throw a yellow flag if the basher's start to pile on!

 

[XS650]

quote:

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Originally posted by Blue99:
Thanks, Pablo.

BTW, as always, you do an excellent job of "defending" Amsoil & not getting "defensive".

We will have a beer commercial referee throw a yellow flag if the basher's start to pile on!

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If all the Amsoil peddlers acted like Pablo and the other Amsoil dealers on Bitog, Amsoil peddlers wouldn't have the sleaze ball reputation they do.

Don't act like Amsoil is getting picked on. Unfavorable Amsoil remarks are based on people's past experiances with Amsoil peddlers.

 

[buster]

quote:

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All the Amsoil Superbowl halftime commercials, all the door pounding, all the telemarketing, the blimps, the radio adds, the adds in the WSJ, Playboy, WHJ, NY and LA Times, the ads during the evening TV news....Amsoil just pushes too hard

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You make a good point. I'm referring more about the dealer webpages. Amsoil is no different in many ways then any other company. I'm sure the new Amsoil formulations will be top notch.

I don't know what the GF-4 limits were...I thought it was sub 700ppm of P.

Regarding the Moly, I don't care if an oil has moly or not, but when you refer to the wrong moly repeatedly like Amsoil did, that I have a problem with.

 

[Don Stevens]

quote:

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Originally posted by buster:
[ I bet we see some Moly though.

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They have always siad they'd never do it....Of course they alwyas said they'd never go group III also. I think you are right with your guess about the XL-line going GF-4. We'll see.

 

[buster]

Amsoil's marketing sux IMO. I don't like it. I think they push too hard. Actually it's the dealers that take it to a ridiculous level. Many of them have info. that is simply not true on their websites. That is the downfall of MLM. It's a quality product but they go to far. They never talked about the soluable moly we refer to on BITOG and that is found in many oils. They used scare tactics saying it's a solid and will fall out of suspension in extended drains. Their is a very good chance Amsoil's new oils comming out soon will have Moly.

 

[buster]

I asked someone from Amsoil about when they will have GF-4 oils and he said they will around April when the spec is finalized. He said they will have a seperate line of GF-4 oils in addition to their regular long drain oils. So just like the Mobil 1 EP line, they will have a GF-4 line as well.

 

[jbas]

My boss(es) always tell me to see the impossible assigned tasks as "opportunities." So...Amsoil has an "opportunity" to discover/invent a long-term OCI for a GF-4 product line. If, however, its a repackaged XL brand (a/k/a Group III), then that line is going to be competing with all these other excellent and much less expensive Group III base oils (Mobil Clean 5000, to a GF-4,5 someday soon no doubt). In fact, why buy the XL brand now with Mobil around?

Re-invent the wheel, Amsoil, or get ready to sell a whole bunch more vitamins.