In terms of Group IV synthetic oils, I think you are already seeing the "plan". In terms of Group III the producers of Group IV has lost a major case and in fact Group III oil's can be legally called synthetic, whereas in the past usually on Group IV was referred to as synthetic. If I were a Group III producer I would try to LABEL EVERYTHING I MADE synthetic IAW the new ruling and precedence. In the past reference was made to "FULL" Synthetic but I would look to that meaning being WATERED DOWN! Or if we want to get closer to the truth: hydrocracked down
Even the so called "synthetic" Castrol that you speak so highly of, is one of Group III "synthetic" oils.
Even Amsoil, in the past a marketer of almost strictly Group IV has seen the writing on the wall and now markets a "synthetic" product line manufactured from Group III stocks.
I have had Castrol 5w40 OEM filled in a 2003 Jetta TDI. As you know, the Euro Castrol is in VERY short supply in the USA.
So for me the choice comes down to this: why spend up to 9 dollars a qt for Group III EURO CASTROL, when I can buy a Group IV full synthetic, such as Mobil Delvac One, for 5 dollars per quart? Castrol already manufactures and distributes in the USA their already "synthetic" group III so you can already see what is happening. In fact if both Euro and USA Castrol can indeed meet the SAME API standards etc etc, then really where it is manufactured becomes MOOT.
[ October 04, 2003, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: ruking77 ]