Hi Guys, looking for best oil to put into a 2004 vw passat with the 1.8L motor.

[UG_Passat]

Hello! No need to fit to 3.5 hths spec into this VW gasoline. VW 503/506 (based on ACEA A5/B5) has 2.9 hths spec.
Any 5w30 with 2.9 hths and low noack (~10) would fit with 5-10K OCI.

The US-spec VW's don't have flexible service intervals that would require 503.00 specification.

It is spec'd at 502.00, so that means it needs 3.5 min HTHS

 

[Wheel366]

Having had a A4 with a 1.8t you can use M1 0W-40 which should be easy to get and relatively cheap. I've used Amsoil AFE and EFL, M1 and Rotella T6. While Amsoil isn't actually approved they say it "meets" the spec and I had no issue running it in terms of sludge or 5k intervals. M1 is cheaper and will also work just fine. I used T6 once because the guys on the Audi forum swore by it. I had no issues with that oil either. Anything on the VW approved list will be just fine. Any issues I had with that car weren't sludge or oil related.

 

[Braapdaddy]

Two passats 100k + combined miles STP euro 5W40 30 degree winters 100+ degree summers no oil related issues ever 10k intervals Fram filters