Mobil vs. Shell vs Chevron Conventionals

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tmundal

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I am parts manager at a GM dealer. I have lost my local distributor and have been approached by every body and their brothers to get my business. I have gotten the list down to three options and was wondering if all things equal (prices are close, everyone provides floormats and that stuff) which would be the better oil for my customers?

Gm Goodwrench oil. Mobil. We already carry Mobil 1, Delvac 1300 and Delvac 1, and will likely continue to carry these.


Chevron supreme

or

Formula Shell

Looks like I could also get Pennzoil from the Shell distributor, but its not at the same level price-wise as the others.

Thanks for any opinions. I know I'm probably fine with any, I just want to feel comfortable with what we are putting in customers cars.
 
My vote is for Chevron Supreme.

Chevron's group II+ conventionals are outstanding oils. Every bit the equal of the more expensive Penzzoil Yellow Bottle.

All three are fine oils though.
 
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Wow, a parts manager (and a GM one at that!) who actually cares about the customer rather than his dealerships bottom line, I commend you for this brother!

I'd pick Mobil out of the bunch. They have good products and good marketing so you will win both ways.

I sure hope you can weather the storm and stay afloat to serve your customers for many years as you seem like a guy who actually cares for the customers.
 
Personally, I like Chevron oils, and, as a company, I don't think they get enough 'attention/exposure' in the service world, so I would go with them. Offering something like Chevron oils for service might 'set you apart' from other dealers, if you're allowed to publicize what you use.

But all your choices are good - you can't go wrong with any.
 
Originally Posted By: Peter_Pan
Wow, a parts manager (and a GM one at that!) who actually cares about the customer rather than his dealerships bottom line, I commend you for this brother!

I'd pick Mobil out of the bunch. They have good products and good marketing so you will win both ways.

I sure hope you can weather the storm and stay afloat to serve your customers for many years as you seem like a guy who actually cares for the customers.


Well... I get my oil changed here too. :) And I have seen GM make dealers eat engines that they were putting non-approved oil in. That house blend stuff that alot of guys buy because its so cheap. I'm a cover your arse type of person.
 
If I were you, I'd feel comfortable with any of them.

But, what do your customers feel? That's probably more important than anything.

To be perfectly honest, before I found this forum if I had my oil changed somwhere and they used formula shell or chevron supreme... I'd probably go elsewhere the next time around. And I doubt I was alone. There are just tons of other places with more heavily advertised oils probably doing changes for about the same price.

If Pennzoil isn't much more, and will give you some advertising banners and stuff so there is value added for your customers, than that's who I'd go with.

If you don't think your customers care, or that they trust your opinion as a dealer to the point you can pull it off, then either. In my area of the country, we have shell stations but no chevron, so obviously I would choose Shell since it's a name that customers will be familiar with. I certainly wouldn't want "chevron.. what is that?".
 
I'd say just as many people are familiar with the Chevron brand as the Shell brand in the U.S.

At least here in the southeast U.S.
 
Originally Posted By: tmundal


Well... I get my oil changed here too. :) And I have seen GM make dealers eat engines that they were putting non-approved oil in. That house blend stuff that alot of guys buy because its so cheap. I'm a cover your arse type of person.


I wish my local Mitsubishi parts manager was someone like you. I have to fight these people on every little issue that I have and they can never seem to get it right even when I have a TSB in hand explaining the problem I have to the T. It doesn't help that I'm used to the cushy service I get from my Mercedes dealer either.

Anyhow, I will make a further case for my Mobil pick: Most casual customers have probably heard of Mobil as a "premium" oil thanks to their heavy advertising. Also most still don't know Mobil actually has a line of blend and conventional oils. To the casual customer Mobil = High Performance Synthetic. Mobil gas stations also help in the brand recognition. So you are getting free marketing AND a very good product. However as GM has their own specs I would make sure any oil you get meets their specs as to not be forced to, as you put it, "eat" an engine.
 
Originally Posted By: Peter_Pan
Originally Posted By: tmundal


Well... I get my oil changed here too. :) And I have seen GM make dealers eat engines that they were putting non-approved oil in. That house blend stuff that alot of guys buy because its so cheap. I'm a cover your arse type of person.


I wish my local Mitsubishi parts manager was someone like you. I have to fight these people on every little issue that I have and they can never seem to get it right even when I have a TSB in hand explaining the problem I have to the T. It doesn't help that I'm used to the cushy service I get from my Mercedes dealer either.

Anyhow, I will make a further case for my Mobil pick: Most casual customers have probably heard of Mobil as a "premium" oil thanks to their heavy advertising. Also most still don't know Mobil actually has a line of blend and conventional oils. To the casual customer Mobil = High Performance Synthetic. Mobil gas stations also help in the brand recognition. So you are getting free marketing AND a very good product. However as GM has their own specs I would make sure any oil you get meets their specs as to not be forced to, as you put it, "eat" an engine.


Yeah GM has a published list that has everything from Mobil 1 to Supertech on it. But it doesn't list any of the off brand stuff. So you could use walmart oil and be okay, but if you use Billy Bob's backwoods blend...you're screwed. :)
 
Honestly, all the oils you listed would protect your customer's engines just fine and they are API SM rated.

One consideration you may want to make is that the GM Goodwrench oil (Mobil) is what GM recommends, and it makes people feel warm and fuzzy that your dealership cares about using the factory spec fluids/lubes.

I commend you on your careful consideration of products for your customers.
thumbsup2.gif


P.S - Have you looked into any of the Conoco-Phillips oils? I know Kendall or 76 is usually very competitive and advertising a synthetic blend is a plus for your customers....plus it is a top-notch oil.
http://www.conocophillipslubricants.com/
 
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since you already carry some the Mobil products why not get the
Goodwrench also,fine oil, as all them you listed are, i lean to
the Chevron supreme also.
 
Kendell is a great oil. But it may not have the name-brand recognition being on the West Coast.

I believe Conoco-Phillips bought the name from Sunoco expressly to market a known branding of their oil to the Northeast - as Kendell was popular here in its heyday as a Pennsylvania based oil company that is now, for all intensive purposes, Brad-Penn...
 
Originally Posted By: Nickdfresh
Kendell is a great oil. But it may not have the name-brand recognition being on the West Coast.

I believe Conoco-Phillips bought the name from Sunoco expressly to market a known branding of their oil to the Northeast - as Kendell was popular here in its heyday as a Pennsylvania based oil company that is now, for all intensive purposes, Brad-Penn...


True...Kendall is a relatively common oil in the northeast, along with 76 but it could be a no-name brand in Oregon.

In either case, I'd say Mobil is the best choice. (GM Goodwrench oil + cheaper than the other options).

I'd say 90% of customers don't even care to know what oil gets put in their cars.
shocked2.gif
 
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I am assuming you are reffering to your bulk oil tank, correct? Do you carry the Goodwrench oil by the quart? When I was parts manager at a Chrysler dealer the owner bought whatever was cheapest to put put in the bulk tank, so it changed frequently. So I stocked qts of the mopar oil for the people that thought they needed to run the MOPAR oil, and they didn't mind paying a little more to get the GENUINE stuff.
 
Originally Posted By: gmctodd
I am assuming you are reffering to your bulk oil tank, correct? Do you carry the Goodwrench oil by the quart? When I was parts manager at a Chrysler dealer the owner bought whatever was cheapest to put put in the bulk tank, so it changed frequently. So I stocked qts of the mopar oil for the people that thought they needed to run the MOPAR oil, and they didn't mind paying a little more to get the GENUINE stuff.


No, only thing I stock in bottles is synthetic
 
Coin toss between Formula Shell and Chevron Supreme assuming price is equal. Both good oils.

My deciding factor would be to go with the distributor who gives you the best customer service.
 
only thing i don't like about mobil conventional is the clean 5000 formula which possibly would not last the 7500 mile oci's my car recommends. i dont leave the oil in that long but it still steers me away from mobil. i thought mobil used to have a 'clean 7500' formula but i never see it anymore.

my first choice would be Shell.
 
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Originally Posted By: hal
only thing i don't like about mobil conventional is the clean 5000 formula which possibly would not last the 7500 mile oci's my car recommends. i dont leave the oil in that long but it still steers me away from mobil. i thought mobil used to have a 'clean 7500' formula but i never see it anymore.

my first choice would be Shell.


Don't let the numbers fool you. If your manufacturer recommends 7500 ocis and your driving style fits that description, Mobil Clean will be JUST fine. The 7500 is their synthetic blend.

To the original post, since all the oils you listed are meet 6904M specs, I'd pick which ever you get the cheapest. They will all serve your customers well even if following the longer intervals dictated by the OLM
 
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