GC is a conspiracy
- Thread starter ssj4
- Start date
- Status
I'm running GC in my 2003 X5, and plan to run it in my 1995 M3 after the ARX rinse phase. I just found it interesting that it was not 'recommended'.
The M3 still runs great after about 7 years on Dino (Valvoline 20w-50), and 5 on various fills of (Quaker State, M1, BMW) Synthetic. It has 123,000 miles.
The M3 still runs great after about 7 years on Dino (Valvoline 20w-50), and 5 on various fills of (Quaker State, M1, BMW) Synthetic. It has 123,000 miles.
After talking with a Castrol tech guy on their corperate website I believe it isn't reccommended becouse most of their emplyees don't even know it is avalible in the U.S. This guy argued vehemently that Castrol had NO oil sold in the U.S. that was made in Europe and didn't back up when I told him it was printed clearly on the 0W30 bottle. I think alot of their people don't have a clue as to the difference between GC and 5W30 Syntec.
Obviously,someone at Castrol knows the difference becouse in my erea you can't give the 0W30GC away but they continue to offer it in AZ stores here. The bottles are so covered with dust that you have to blow the dust away to see what you have in your hand. The 5W30 Syntec right beside it will sell out but the same 12 bottles of 0W30 are always there.
I guess the 0 really scares the life out of people.
Quote:
After talking with a Castrol tech guy on their corperate website I believe it isn't reccommended becouse most of their emplyees don't even know it is avalible in the U.S. This guy argued vehemently that Castrol had NO oil sold in the U.S. that was made in Europe and didn't back up when I told him it was printed clearly on the 0W30 bottle. I think alot of their people don't have a clue as to the difference between GC and 5W30 Syntec.
Obviously,someone at Castrol knows the difference becouse in my erea you can't give the 0W30GC away but they continue to offer it in AZ stores here. The bottles are so covered with dust that you have to blow the dust away to see what you have in your hand. The 5W30 Syntec right beside it will sell out but the same 12 bottles of 0W30 are always there.
I guess the 0 really scares the life out of people.
Are you sure you didn't accidently call Exxon Mobil...maybe the EM tech has a twin brother...
"The bottles are so covered with dust that you have to blow the dust away to see what you have in your hand."
Not here in Southern Maryland, the GC usually only has 6 to 8 bottles on the shelf. However, I do not know how many the store orders, or their sales rate. I do know that I have never come across any of the Green Elven Magic.
Not here in Southern Maryland, the GC usually only has 6 to 8 bottles on the shelf. However, I do not know how many the store orders, or their sales rate. I do know that I have never come across any of the Green Elven Magic.
I'm thinking that the profit for this particular oil is so low that Castrol really doesn't care if it is on AZ's shelves or not. You guys that like this oil would be in heaven at my local AZ. There's always 12 dusty bottles on the shelf. May be the original green color given how long it has been there.
There is tons of it here at my autozone...
My take on it is profit margins and marketing.
German Castrol has lower margins than US made Syntec because it is sold in small quantities and found only at AZ. They are imported all the way from Germany, sold at regular Synthetic pricing and sold in small quantities = low margins. There is really no point in promoting GC because of the lower margins. And any promotion would be wasted against M1's promotion budget.
Marketing. I remembered a few years back there is this whole controvery about Castrol selling partial synthetic oil as synthetic oil (not too such what happened there). Whenever, i recommend GC on other auto forums I would get the response that Castrol Syntec is not a true synthetic oil.
So to counter this, Castrol brings in a state of the art true blue synthetic oil but in small quantities and only sold at AZ. It is also call Castrol Syntec and people out there cannot charge that Syntec is not true synthetic.
German Castrol has lower margins than US made Syntec because it is sold in small quantities and found only at AZ. They are imported all the way from Germany, sold at regular Synthetic pricing and sold in small quantities = low margins. There is really no point in promoting GC because of the lower margins. And any promotion would be wasted against M1's promotion budget.
Marketing. I remembered a few years back there is this whole controvery about Castrol selling partial synthetic oil as synthetic oil (not too such what happened there). Whenever, i recommend GC on other auto forums I would get the response that Castrol Syntec is not a true synthetic oil.
So to counter this, Castrol brings in a state of the art true blue synthetic oil but in small quantities and only sold at AZ. It is also call Castrol Syntec and people out there cannot charge that Syntec is not true synthetic.
I suspect that Castrol's website simply summarizes published oil weight recommendations from the original vehicle maker. Very, very few cars or trucks recommend 0W-30 weight oils for the US market. In fact, I have never seen it listed in an owner's manual for the Ford, GM, Honda or Volvo products we have owned. Sure we all know that if 5w30 is ok then so is 0W-30, but that isn't how the "use this oil weight" tables are written.
My question is this. Could Castrol substitute a group 3 oil for the PAO base in the 0W30 and still get the same specs for the oil? I know that is a newbie type question but with the avalible technology could the 0W30's base be changed without changing the pour point,flash,ect...? You know,there have been certain companies in the past that were not exactly forthcoming with changes in their oil formulations.
Mokanic, no. The properties would change if Group 3 replaced the PAO. We'd know.
I like this post. Interesting to see how people think.
Here's what I'll add... and most already know this.
There have been numerous times when I bought, demanded, or sought out a specific replacement part for my Volvo that was Made in Germany or Sweden... like a wheel bearings, a special bushing or mount, electrinic components, and other assorted goodies.
The focus here would be on the quality & fit for which many European manufactures are known. In many cases, what they produce is close to or as good as OEM.
In rare cases, the part is better than OEM... here, for example, let's use Bilstein (vs. OEM).
I have found that some parts labeled made in Germany, parts with a reputable name, were not even made anywhere in Europe... in fact, the only thing made in Germany was the box (or bottle).
...could it be the same for GC?
Here's what I'll add... and most already know this.
There have been numerous times when I bought, demanded, or sought out a specific replacement part for my Volvo that was Made in Germany or Sweden... like a wheel bearings, a special bushing or mount, electrinic components, and other assorted goodies.
The focus here would be on the quality & fit for which many European manufactures are known. In many cases, what they produce is close to or as good as OEM.
In rare cases, the part is better than OEM... here, for example, let's use Bilstein (vs. OEM).
I have found that some parts labeled made in Germany, parts with a reputable name, were not even made anywhere in Europe... in fact, the only thing made in Germany was the box (or bottle).
...could it be the same for GC?
Thank you for your answer.
You may look at below pages:
Castrol Germany
Castrol UK
Just open links separately, otherwise you will be returned to the first opened page. If to check different European pages, you will find that Castrol often suggests different oils for the same make even within EC. Apparently they don't have a general approach, so I shall not be surprised if a decision is taken by a local guy at his taste
Castrol Germany
Castrol UK
Just open links separately, otherwise you will be returned to the first opened page. If to check different European pages, you will find that Castrol often suggests different oils for the same make even within EC. Apparently they don't have a general approach, so I shall not be surprised if a decision is taken by a local guy at his taste
The fact that GC is ONLY available at AZ is one answer. Castrol is not going to send people on a wild goose chase for 0w-30 GC and is not going to refer people to AZ for it. The oil selector ideally would say: "Hey, GC for everything" and be right!
It is odd that the "selector" (ominous, eh?) does not recognise spec-oil cars and recommend Castrol's ~only~ in-spec oil for it. What does it say for VW cars, Syntec 5w-40?
It is odd that the "selector" (ominous, eh?) does not recognise spec-oil cars and recommend Castrol's ~only~ in-spec oil for it. What does it say for VW cars, Syntec 5w-40?
- Status
Similar threads
