Hello:
I've been using German/Belgium Castrol 0W-30 for years on both our BMWs, and more recently on our Passat VR6 (for it's first couple of OCIs).
As must of you know, 0W-30 no longer has BMW's LL-01 approval. As I understand it, it's because BMW LL-01 oils can no longer be 0W-xx. Doesn't matter. Even with the lack of a LL-01 approval, that won't stop me from using it. I think the "Euro" Castrol 0W-30 is good oil and I have several UOAs from two cars to prove it.
Anyway, I recently ordered two cases from Amazon. Although I've ordered it from Amazon before, for this order I wanted to make sure I didn't get counterfeit oil. That's why I did this VOA.
I'm certain the oil I got is the real thing, although the formula has changed since my last 0W-30 UOA/VOAs. The ones I tested in 2014 were the LL-01 versions. This latest 2020 is not. That said, this doesn't mean the LL-01 approved formula hadn't been changed since my earlier UOA/VOAs.
Where before the oil had the somewhat balanced Ca/Mg add pack, the new version has the high Ca/low Mg that seems to be in vogue now days. In fact, it looks a lot like the 0W-40 Castrol Passat VR6 UOA I just posted, just thicker.
And then TiGeo just posted a VOA of Castrol 5W-40. Same add pack combo.
What I see here is that Castrol's A3/B4 oils (0W-30, 0W-40, and 5W-40) have the same add packs now.
The first VOA is from Nov 2020. The other is from Nov 2014. This is not cause for alarm. It's just an FYI for "German Castrol" users.
Enjoy,
Scott
I've been using German/Belgium Castrol 0W-30 for years on both our BMWs, and more recently on our Passat VR6 (for it's first couple of OCIs).
As must of you know, 0W-30 no longer has BMW's LL-01 approval. As I understand it, it's because BMW LL-01 oils can no longer be 0W-xx. Doesn't matter. Even with the lack of a LL-01 approval, that won't stop me from using it. I think the "Euro" Castrol 0W-30 is good oil and I have several UOAs from two cars to prove it.
Anyway, I recently ordered two cases from Amazon. Although I've ordered it from Amazon before, for this order I wanted to make sure I didn't get counterfeit oil. That's why I did this VOA.
I'm certain the oil I got is the real thing, although the formula has changed since my last 0W-30 UOA/VOAs. The ones I tested in 2014 were the LL-01 versions. This latest 2020 is not. That said, this doesn't mean the LL-01 approved formula hadn't been changed since my earlier UOA/VOAs.
Where before the oil had the somewhat balanced Ca/Mg add pack, the new version has the high Ca/low Mg that seems to be in vogue now days. In fact, it looks a lot like the 0W-40 Castrol Passat VR6 UOA I just posted, just thicker.
UOA: Castrol 0W-40 5K OCI, 2016 VW Passat VR6 20K miles
Y'all: The subject line pretty much says it all. One thing I've noticed about this engine is how black the oil filter element is when I change it. I use Hengst filters. In my BMWs the Hengst filters come out of those cars looking tan. I've never seen an oil filter come out black like on the...
bobistheoilguy.com
And then TiGeo just posted a VOA of Castrol 5W-40. Same add pack combo.
Castrol Edge 5W40 VOA
Probably a few here but my point of doing this one is it's as close as I can get to the dealer bulk Castrol 5W40 VW uses (should be the same?) and I use this in my Atlas as the dealer has done the oil changes thus far and it's good to have a baseline.
bobistheoilguy.com
What I see here is that Castrol's A3/B4 oils (0W-30, 0W-40, and 5W-40) have the same add packs now.
The first VOA is from Nov 2020. The other is from Nov 2014. This is not cause for alarm. It's just an FYI for "German Castrol" users.
Enjoy,
Scott
...well, about this anyway: there have been a number of formula changes between your 2014 and 2020 samples. If anyone else still cares about this increasingly hard to find oil, here are my thoughts/experiences over the years. Somewhere in there, they added Ti, maybe shortly after your 2014 sample was manufactured. I have 3 UOA’s: from late 2016, late 2018, and most recently as well. my 2016 sample showed Ti, along with the more balanced CaMg as you mentioned. it’s likely I used USA Castrol 5w30 for the 1/4 - 1/2 qt top up near the end, so not necessarily a true reflection of the GC, but too much Mg in the UOA to blame on 1/4 qt top off. Besides, your 2014 VOA is somewhat consistent with that result. My 2018 UOA showed strong bias toward Ca as you noted on your 2020 VOA. I’m going to guess that 2018 UOA was 2016 or 2017 vintage GC. Odd that Moly went to near zero, but rebounded in my 2020 UOA. Earlier this year, I picked up a single quart of GC with a late 2019 code, basically for free with a PepBoys coupon, and the label had changed, and no more LL01. It’s still on my shelf. I’m going to assume your 2020 VOA reflects its formula. Last week, I found some 2017 vintage GC (with LL01) at Advanced Auto, so picked up 5 qts to get their special Oil Change deal with a bogus filter...not as cheap as it used to be, but still acceptable. Meanwhile, the car is now filled with a mix: 2qt 0w30 GC (2017 vintage) with LL01, and 2.3qt of the 0w40 GC (I should look at the date code, but bought this year...heck, it might not be LL01???).
