BC Castrol 5w-40

Christopher Jefferson · Feb 7, 2005

I have come to the absolute opinion that the BC 5w-40 (Belgian Castrol) is a PAO ester oil. Of course this is based upon my highly specialised knowldege and experience in the field of tribology b.s. and I have ascertained with my highly rfined ollifactory that this oil is in fact a PAO ester mix.

joking aside, it definetely, smells similar to GC in my opinion (albeit slightly different) and alot like Lubro Moly 5w-40 and M1 5w-40. at the very worst (or so to speak), it is a Group III/ester blend oil. any thoughts?

brian · Feb 7, 2005

Where can one buy BC 5w-40?

Brian

Big John · Feb 7, 2005

VW dealers sell it...@ 6 bucks a quart I think..

wavinwayne · Feb 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by brian:
Where can one buy BC 5w-40?

Brian

VW/Audi dealers in the US.

peterr · Feb 7, 2005

Does Belgium have it's own elves?

Big John · Feb 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by peterr:
Does Belgium have it's own elves?

No,I think they emmigrate from Germany..

brian · Feb 7, 2005

I think in VW circles its generally regarded as Group III. Nothing special about it except its 505.01 for the PD engines.

-brian

wavinwayne · Feb 7, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by brian:
I think in VW circles its generally regarded as Group III. Nothing special about it except its 505.01 for the PD engines.

-brian

Syntec 5w40 does not meet 505.01. It only meets 502.00 & 505.00.

FowVay · Feb 7, 2005

The Belgian made Castrol 5W-40 is 502.00 and 505.00 rated. It isn't the 505.01 rated PD specific oil.

The oil that is 505.01 rated is solely labeled Castrol 505.01, although it also meets several other VW specifications.

Belgian castrol is in a black bottle that looks just like any other Castrol Syntec that you buy at the store. The 505.01 bottle is silver.

wavinwayne · Feb 7, 2005

Motul also sells a 505.01 oil. You can get it at:
impexfap.com
Do a part # search for 505.01

[ February 08, 2005, 08:12 PM: Message edited by: rugerman1 ]

brian · Feb 7, 2005

FowVay,

Thanks for clearing up that VW dealers still sell 2 different kinds of 5w-40.

Brian

Dr. T · Feb 7, 2005

The only 5-40 that Castrol makes in Europe is labelled HC. The PAO version is a 0-40 called Castrol R.

If you smell the other brands of Syntec...eg.5-50 you will notice complete similarity...in addition to the known fact that group III based oils can readily be made into different grades and products...hence, the more appropriate assumption that BC is the same stuff as the other US Syntec grades...only that it's a 5-40.

That said, both BC and the 5-50 are excellent oils...primarily because they are A3 rated.

2KBMW · Feb 8, 2005

Dr.T. Castrol makes a 5w40 oil listed
as a synthetic called Castrol TXT Softec.
This is the same 5w40 imported from
Belgium. Syntec 5w40 has the same specs
as the European oil sold in certain
Euro countries and South Africa. I checked
out the Belgium site(french), France and
South Africa and this oil is listed as
a full synthetic. This is why I use it
in my BMW. It sells for the same price as
the other syntec oils.

It meets the ACEA A3/B3/B4, BMW LL-98,
MB 229.3 and VW 502/505 specs.
I think if this was a GRP III oil, it
would not list as a synthetic in Europe.
Having said that, I was told that Castrol
is making a 5w40 grade in North America.
This oil may be a GRP III oil just like the
0w30 that is supposed to be made here.

Everyone says to make sure the
0w30 oil states "MADE IN GERMANY", it is
important to make sure the 5w40 oil is
the one "MADE IN BELGIUM"

Frank D · Feb 8, 2005

Brian, my local Autozone now stocks it so maybe all Autozones will be carring it.

pscholte · Feb 8, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Big John:

quote:

Originally posted by peterr:
Does Belgium have it's own elves?

Click to expand...

No,I think they emmigrate from Germany..

They do indeed immigrate as Belgium has no indigenous Elves. It is important to note, however, that until the borders opened up they had to remain in Germany. You see, at all the border crossings there was a sign like you find at amusement parks, "To cross the border you must be 122cm tall." (I hope they don't read this...they will kill me for sharing it.)

glxpassat · Feb 8, 2005

I was told by VW of America that this oil was the factory fill oil for my car, so it must be decent stuff. It's now $5 a quart as they had to lower the price since all the sludge issues have come up.

Christopher Jefferson · Feb 8, 2005

actually i have smelled all the varieites of syntec (thats sad huh?) and this oil DOES NOT smell like the other syntec's out there (excluding GC 0w-30) and they do NOT smell like BC 5w-40. just my opinion.

VeeDubb · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

Originally posted by Frank D:
Brian, my local Autozone now stocks it so maybe all Autozones will be carring it.

Saw the Syntec 5w-40 label at my Autozone today, but there were no bottles. Either they stocked out or they are about to bring it in.

buster · Feb 12, 2005

quote:

VW dealers sell it...@ 6 bucks a quart I think..

You know as much as I dislike Amsoil's marketing, at least you know what your getting. I hate trying to guess what is in some of these oils like Castrol. I'd go with Amsoil 5w-40 over the Castrol 5w-40. Probably cheaper too.

pscholte · Feb 12, 2005

I'll stand by the Elven Elixer...I firmly believe it is the better oil even if it is a "dog" when it comes to sales. I'll go even further...I believe the SYNTEC 5W50 is next, better than M1 15W50...and better than Belgian 5W40...wish it had a full Euro pedigree. Will I buy BC 5W40?...probably, because I am a sucker for Euro oils...will the Elixer still have a prominent place in the oil cellar...you betcha

.

PS Buster, I tend to think that the Amsoil Euro oil may be a "great one" too, but I am not yet convinced.

BC Castrol 5w-40

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