Mobil 1 or Helix Ultra?

[hutchingsp]

Getting my Boxster serviced next week (here in the UK rightly or wrongly Porsche have 20k miles interval).

The place doing the service would usually use Shell Helix Ultra Synthetic, or I could bring along my own Mobil 1 (or any oil but I already have a 4L unused carton in the garage).

I have no real preference, and common sense suggests that anything on the Porsche Approved Oils List will be suitable, but I'm interested in any views on if you'd go with one over the other and why.

The cynic in me knows there's a lot of marketing goes on so on the one hand you've got the Porsche/Mobil tie in but I'm also thinking Ferrari/Shell means Helix isn't exactly bad stuff.

Keep in mind that here in the UK for whatever reasons we just don't seem to be into the whole "3k oil change" thing - could be because decent quality oil costs around $17 a litre (and the Boxster takes 8.5 litres).

Any opinions welcome - I did use the search but it doesn't seem to be working beyond very recent posts.

 

[buster]

I would think they both would perform similarly. If the Shell is approved, just go with that.

 

[mcrn]

Would it be cheaper to bring your own Mobil 1?

 

[hutchingsp]

I haven't worked it out exactly as I know the service cost but not the parts breakdown cost, but there won't be much (i.e. anything I'd be bothered about) in it price wise.

I get the impression it's one of those "toss a coin" ones but even when it's that tight the geek in me wants to know the merits of each option over the other.

 

[mcrn]

Do you go the full 20K miles?

 

[hutchingsp]

Generally yes though I don't do a lot of short stop/start trips.

I've noticed Oil intervals to seem to change by market/culture - I notice Porsche have 20k UK/European intervals vs. 12k in the US on the same vehicles.

 

[mcrn]

I would think Mobil would be the way to go with those longer intervals. But thats JMHO. Ow40 or their Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40.