Mobil must be feeling the competition.............

[buster]

Question:
Does Mobil 1 Extended Performance Result in More Engine Wear as Amsoil Claims?
Amsoil has recently published a study showing that using Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30 results in more engine wear than even some conventional 5w30 motor oils. Can this possibly be true? (It is printed on the back of EVERY bottle of Amsoil's new signature series 0W-30). I was under the impression that the extended performance line offered MORE anti-wear agents, not LESS, than the original formula Mobil 1. What is the truth of this matter? (Please be aware that I am a member of SEVERAL high performance forums (GM, LSX, CORVETTE, GTO, etc.), and that there are MANY members of these various forums that are waiting for the answer to this question. Your reply WILL be posted on all applicable forums, as well as your failure to reply if that is the case.)
-- Edwin Bae, Troy, NY
Answer:
While we can’t speak on behalf of our competitors, we can attest to the quality of Mobil 1. The proof of performance is in real engine testing and field testing. These tests are statistically controlled and are more representative of performance you will see in your vehicle. Running these tests is documented in the specifications shown on the bottle labels. You can also rely on OEMs as proof of performance: find out how many OEMs actually specify their product as initial fill in the factory when the vehicle is

 

[Bill in Utah]

None of the OEM put EP in the crankcase.

They use normal Mobil 1 correct?

We all know that Mobil is "helping" out the car MFG since they are getting marketing.

If I did run Mobil 1, it would be the non EP version. I think its a better oil.

But for Mobil to even state another brand...

Normally they use the words "over other Syn brands" etc..

 

[buster]

Eh...Bill, EP is just a tad better IMO. Not much. It did score a slightly better in the TEOST test. It's rare Mobil acknowledges Amsoil on their web page. I found that interesting.

 

[ArcticCat]

Originally Posted By: buster
You can also rely on OEMs as proof of performance: find out how many OEMs actually specify their product as initial fill in the factory when the vehicle is

Oh, so I should rely on how many OEM's specify an oil as factory fill as my determinant of performance, and overlook actual laboratory tests of the various products? Hmmm... Well in that case, Mobil 1 Extended Performance has 0 OEM factory fills (as Bill noted), and thus must be a garbage oil. Thanks for setting me straight!

 

[FZ1]

Look at the amsoil test. They rated Mobil 1 Extended Performance #2 behind,of course,themselves. PP was #3. I would like to know the facts, as I am currently running EP.

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: FZ1
Look at the amsoil test. They rated Mobil 1 Extended Performance #2 behind,of course,themselves. PP was #3. I would like to know the facts, as I am currently running EP.


Mobil 1 is usally #2 in all their testing.

The only testing Mobil 1 has on their website is the Vegas testing they did, which was based on tear down results. Would have been nice to see more.

 

[FZ1]

Thanks,man.

 

[deven]

Originally Posted By: buster
It's rare Mobil acknowledges Amsoil on their web page. I found that interesting.


Did they? From what i read it said "While we can’t speak on behalf of our competitors" which does not really mean they are acknowledging Amsoil but all other oil companies????

P.S. Buster do you eat, breathe and sleep OIL. Awesome, just plain awesome.

 

[badtlc]

This kind of agrees with the used oil analysis that we have seen on this site, does it not?

 

[buster]

Originally Posted By: badtlc
This kind of agrees with the used oil analysis that we have seen on this site, does it not?


What do you mean? Amsoil used oil analysis are better than M1 in most cases.

But notice the evaluating method used in the Las Vegas test was tear down. Showed little to no wear.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Well, maybe Mobil is happy to smack Amsoil around in an ad, but when you suggest they're feeling the competition, I'll believe THAT when I see the prices come down from 6.69 for Syn and 7.29 for EP. The only competition I see is the race to price WITH Amsoil, not to compete AGAINST Amsoil.

Dino in Clean5000 however, is VERY competitive. Makes one wonder. Why IS the Clean500 conventional so cheap and the SuperSyn and EP so expensive, relative to the other brands in conventional and syn? What's their point with this?

 

[cfromc]

Originally Posted By: toocrazy2yoo
Well, maybe Mobil is happy to smack Amsoil around in an ad, but when you suggest they're feeling the competition, I'll believe THAT when I see the prices come down from 6.69 for Syn and 7.29 for EP. The only competition I see is the race to price WITH Amsoil, not to compete AGAINST Amsoil.

Dino in Clean5000 however, is VERY competitive. Makes one wonder. Why IS the Clean500 conventional so cheap and the SuperSyn and EP so expensive, relative to the other brands in conventional and syn? What's their point with this?


I'm going to guess that the Clean 5000 needs to compete price-wise with other like oils, while the synthetic oils are trying to portray themselves as a "premium" oil with a premium price. It is marketing.

 

[blackcherry06]

You took the words right out of my mouth. I learned something very interesting about consumerism in my high-school Marketing class. Pricing has so much to do with how a product is viewed by consumers. The question posed was: Would you feel comfortable buying a lobster dinner if it were priced at $2.99? The theory is that when the price is low, the quality will be viewed as questionable. The lesson is that some products sell better when priced higher, because of consumer expectations. This is exactly what Mobil counts on where synthetic oils are concerned. Who knows what the profit margin is on Mobil 1 oils....it probably contributed to the billions they booked as profit so far this year.

 

[FZ1]

So,then,this pricing theory would apply to Amsoil also,would it not?

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: buster
Originally Posted By: badtlc
This kind of agrees with the used oil analysis that we have seen on this site, does it not?


What do you mean? Amsoil used oil analysis are better than M1 in most cases.

But notice the evaluating method used in the Las Vegas test was tear down. Showed little to no wear.

No, I mean that Mobil 1 Extended Performance used oil analysis haven't looked anywhere as good as the regular Mobil 1 used oil analysis.

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

Originally Posted By: FZ1
So,then,this pricing theory would apply to Amsoil also,would it not?


Well, if we want to expand on the boutique theory, I suppose so. But in VOA, isn't Amsoil superior to the equivalent grade of M1 in every way? Isn't Amsoil PAO, M1 GroupIII? Do we even care about that stuff anymore? Heck, for all we know, everyone is simply hanging on by their fingernails waiting for the GTL combos to come out?

And, with dino in SM/GF4 withstanding said API and GF4 testing in such outstanding fashion, for 1/6 the price-per-quart, does it matter whether we run a syn outside of extreme high pop engines and/or turbos anyway? It always comes back to vanity, utility, price, doesn't it?

 

[buster]

Looks like Mobil REMOVED this question from their "Car Care" section. I wonder why? Can't find it. Glad I copied it.

 

[buster]

Gone from their website.

 

[JohnBrowning]

Well, First I do not think we really know what base stocks M1 is useing. Until I see the type of work-up that ws done on German Castrol I am not buying the all M1 is GIII argument. Second their is a lot to be said for both used oil analysis and engine tear down results and manufacutre testing and aprovals of various products. None of them should be used as stand alone proof in my opion. For me it is a combination of price point and performance. I evaluate what I have observed from past experince with M1 products in engines I have torn down, what I see in my used oil analysis, and what I see under my oil fill cap. So far M1 has always come through for me and my family but again we do own mostly imports but even my Dodge liked M1. No I have no doubt that PP that I have a huge stash of from AAP BOGO sales will more then sastify my engines oil needs but that is not the point right? ALl I know is that M1 has consistently offered a top tier product for a cost that is reasonable up util very recently. My only complaint is cost at this point but it is still better then any price Amsoil can make me once I factor in shipping,preffered customer few and 5% energy surcharge intot he price of a quart of their oil. I do not do once a year oil changes and even if I did M1 can do that for loess then they can too. So I just do not get it. M1 always comes in a close second behind their product in their testing whenyou look at the overall results and not individual tests so why bother with all the extra cost?

Heck I could oil with nice rebates like Bill in Utah gets on oil I might even switch back to dino. Michigan does not see the $.49 a quart oil prices that Bill in Utah gets on his oil. Maybe when I move to Florida I can get deals like that. At $.49 a quart I would not bother with synthetics in my current applications and would find other ways to control depositsike anaual usage of LC20.

 

[Kestas]

http://www.mobil1.ca/Canada-English/Files/Products_Lubes/IOCAENPVLMOMobil_1_EP.pdf

I'm curious what "Extended Performance" on the brand name is supposed to mean. I assume it's a comparison with their regular Mobil 1 motor oil. Is it better shear stability?... reduced startup wear?... better resistance to oxidation? I read through the product description and all I can glean are nebulous phrases, like "extra performance additive that helps provide outstanding protection", and "designed especially to deliver performance and protection". Protection from what?