joat, I'm just up 85 from you in Spartanburg. I've checked the Autozone on the east side and the one on the west side (but not the one on Asheville hwy). The one on the west side is fully stocked with the German 0w30 (as of Wednesday), but the one on the east side has nothing but the old stuff collecting dust.
German Castrol Update
- Thread starter buster
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I've been to 2 Central Jersey AZ, one had 6, the other had none. 1 South Jersey store only had the North American stuff.
G-Man II: I live in NE Greenville (Greer postal address) and currently work in Duncan. The AZ on Asheville Hwy is where I found 1 lonely quart on Wednesday. I'm hoping this stuff works out. I have 2 BMWs with the 3.0 and think the BMW syn is OK, but maybe I could do better. FWIW, the dealer just raised the price of BMW syn fromn $3.80 to $4.00. I do want an oil that is xW30, meets ACEA A3/B3 and is BMW Longlife approved. These requirements eliminate about everything.
[ August 29, 2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: joatmon ]
[ August 29, 2003, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: joatmon ]
Hi,
Sprintman - sorry I missed your post
Yes, the original green SLX was definately from Germany. I thought it was written on the container too
After its disastrous "holiday" in the engine of my wife's 1997 1.8 VW Golf's engine ( about 2000 )I never purchased it again
Her new Golf runs on Mobil 1 0w-40 and smiles!
Regards
Sprintman - sorry I missed your post
Yes, the original green SLX was definately from Germany. I thought it was written on the container too
After its disastrous "holiday" in the engine of my wife's 1997 1.8 VW Golf's engine ( about 2000 )I never purchased it again
Her new Golf runs on Mobil 1 0w-40 and smiles!
Regards
None from Castrol USA either...YZF150 wins...he told me they wouldn't answer...but I will tell you this...they NEVER have to talk to me EVER, if they will just keep importing their European formulas.quote:
Originally posted by Patman:
I still haven't gotten a response from Castrol Canada. They suck.
No, only Sparkle City store I robbed was the one on Asheville Hwy.
Hey, you ever need a quart or two of German Castrol or Schaeffers #703 10W30, let me know!
Jack
Hi,
Gman11- the bad experience was a little circumstantial - but we made a balanced judgement!
The engine had an oil pump problem - it was a high use vehicle in year one and up to 60000 kms at my hands. I hand my cars down and my wife is a low use gal
The trouble was traced to a general lack of engine cleanliness. And this we ( VW Service Rep, VW Dealer Service Manager and I ) believe caused the problem. This was the conclusion after we all spent some time on the issue. What convinced us too in the end was that the Dealership used Castrol exclusivley and had seen evidence of the same contamination on other VWs and Benz vehicles using SLX. They stopped using that oil and so did I
I had previously successfully used Castrol R ( 10w-60 & 5w-60 )synthetic in a variety of engines - Mitubishi Pajero V6 ( 3 and about 240000 kms )- Nissan 3ltrs 6 ( 150000 kms ) and etc - since the late 1970s. The SLX oil fitted the Handbook requirements of VW
Regards
Gman11- the bad experience was a little circumstantial - but we made a balanced judgement!
The engine had an oil pump problem - it was a high use vehicle in year one and up to 60000 kms at my hands. I hand my cars down and my wife is a low use gal
The trouble was traced to a general lack of engine cleanliness. And this we ( VW Service Rep, VW Dealer Service Manager and I ) believe caused the problem. This was the conclusion after we all spent some time on the issue. What convinced us too in the end was that the Dealership used Castrol exclusivley and had seen evidence of the same contamination on other VWs and Benz vehicles using SLX. They stopped using that oil and so did I
I had previously successfully used Castrol R ( 10w-60 & 5w-60 )synthetic in a variety of engines - Mitubishi Pajero V6 ( 3 and about 240000 kms )- Nissan 3ltrs 6 ( 150000 kms ) and etc - since the late 1970s. The SLX oil fitted the Handbook requirements of VW
Regards
Hi,
G-Man II - "serious accusations" etc. Hold on I'm not on trial just mentioning my experience with this product. Take it or leave it!
I have checked my computer records - all of my vehicles - including my heavy trucks - have a detailed history kept since 1992
This vehicle was purchased new in 1996 had its factory fill oil changed to Castrol R synthetic ( VW Approved )at 1170kms May 1996.
It then had regular oil changes using OEM filters at about an averaged 14000kms ( 8800 miles ) throughout its entire life with me - until sold off at 95575kms
It was changed to Castrol Formula SLX 0w30 ( VW Approved ) in Dec 1997 at 55083kms because it would then be driven by my wife. And, in a colder winter climate ( well, down to -5C )too. Castrol Formula SLX 0w30 was new to the Australian market at that time
The SLX was changed more regularly than the R at about an average of 13000kms ( 8000 miles ) due to the vehicles lower useage factor. Most running was then done on a freeway about 20kms each way - from our country property to the nearest town - and almost daily or so
The engine problem occurred in May 2000 at 85581kms. It had covered around 30000kms on the SLX.
After repair, the car was changed to Mobil 1 0w-40 supplied by me to the VW Dealer. It was sold off as stated earlier at 95575kms and a new VW Golf purchased for my wife. She still has this car which is on Mobil 1 0w-40. It has annual oil changes
As stated earlier - much of the older packaged SLX ( SJ ) oil is still sitting on retailer's shelves around this fair country - it has sold about as well as lead teapots do here!
Regards
Doug Hillary
G-Man II - "serious accusations" etc. Hold on I'm not on trial just mentioning my experience with this product. Take it or leave it!
I have checked my computer records - all of my vehicles - including my heavy trucks - have a detailed history kept since 1992
This vehicle was purchased new in 1996 had its factory fill oil changed to Castrol R synthetic ( VW Approved )at 1170kms May 1996.
It then had regular oil changes using OEM filters at about an averaged 14000kms ( 8800 miles ) throughout its entire life with me - until sold off at 95575kms
It was changed to Castrol Formula SLX 0w30 ( VW Approved ) in Dec 1997 at 55083kms because it would then be driven by my wife. And, in a colder winter climate ( well, down to -5C )too. Castrol Formula SLX 0w30 was new to the Australian market at that time
The SLX was changed more regularly than the R at about an average of 13000kms ( 8000 miles ) due to the vehicles lower useage factor. Most running was then done on a freeway about 20kms each way - from our country property to the nearest town - and almost daily or so
The engine problem occurred in May 2000 at 85581kms. It had covered around 30000kms on the SLX.
After repair, the car was changed to Mobil 1 0w-40 supplied by me to the VW Dealer. It was sold off as stated earlier at 95575kms and a new VW Golf purchased for my wife. She still has this car which is on Mobil 1 0w-40. It has annual oil changes
As stated earlier - much of the older packaged SLX ( SJ ) oil is still sitting on retailer's shelves around this fair country - it has sold about as well as lead teapots do here!
Regards
Doug Hillary
I'm not making an accusation, but I am curious. How come you drove 55,000 km on the Castrol R, with extended drain cycles and you're blaming the short change interval SLX?
Much as I have touted German Castrol, I take seriously the info you have relayed. Your statement above leads to a key point...much as M1 Tri-Syn was not a good formula, the Castrol SLX of the years you describe may not have been the best either...but that was then (the engine problem occurred 3 years ago...the formula may have changed much since then). I don't think we should jump to conclusions. I am sure some will say Castrol is dumping this on the US market and what Doug has described is why. Do we REALLY believe they are pushing 3 year old oil or a 6 year old formula on us? Those of us who do shouldn't buy it then.
Hi,
Yuk - I thought I had explained that.
When my vehicles are operated exclusively by me I only use them for long distance business travel
This last week for instance I drove over 3000kms over three days my MY02 Subaru Outback 2.5. This was mostly on cruise control and at speeds up to 160kmh. This consisted of two long trips of about 1200kms ( almost non stop ) plus some "local area" running
I use longer oil drain periods with this type of operation. The Outback has 90000kms on it as it nears its second birthday. Its on Delvac 1!
I then change the oil annually ( or at/near nominated distance ) when use factors are lower as the vehicle is downgraded in my fleet
I totally agree that the newer SL SLX may be a different animal - it was introduced here in 2002
I have never used it
Regards
Yuk - I thought I had explained that.
When my vehicles are operated exclusively by me I only use them for long distance business travel
This last week for instance I drove over 3000kms over three days my MY02 Subaru Outback 2.5. This was mostly on cruise control and at speeds up to 160kmh. This consisted of two long trips of about 1200kms ( almost non stop ) plus some "local area" running
I use longer oil drain periods with this type of operation. The Outback has 90000kms on it as it nears its second birthday. Its on Delvac 1!
I then change the oil annually ( or at/near nominated distance ) when use factors are lower as the vehicle is downgraded in my fleet
I totally agree that the newer SL SLX may be a different animal - it was introduced here in 2002
I have never used it
Regards
Here are lots #s from German Castrol purchases this week in the Greenville, SC area.
[ August 29, 2003, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: joatmon ]
[ August 29, 2003, 10:44 PM: Message edited by: joatmon ]
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