New car, new oil.

[tharoka]

Hi all!

I just replaced my 'old' MY03 2.0 Euro STi with a MY06 2.5 Euro STi. The baby is only 9 days old but it allready have 2200miles (3500kms) and I decided it is time for the first oil change.

Allthought I was ready to use the Castrol Longtec SLX 0w-30, I have been researching info in the Subaru comunity forums (like nasioc or scoobynet) and due to the fight it does exist between the 'thats-too-thin' recomendation and what can be read here, I just decided to stick with what the manual recomends: i.e. SM or SL (SJ if the other are not available)with energy conserving label or A1, A2, A3 or GF-3 GF-4. 5w30 prefered (also 10w30 and 10w-40 displayed in the temperature chart). For severe use: SM or SL, 10w-50, 20-40w, 20w-50.

So I would like to decide between one of this:

-Motul 8100 5w30 http://www.motul-america.com/productos/fichas_tecnicas/8100_Eco-nergy_5W30.pdf
-Elf Evolution 5w30 http://www.es.total.com/es/content/NT00002882.pdf
-Elf Evolution SXR 5w30 http://www.es.total.com/es/content/NT00002886.pdf

Please note that the motul is the most expensive being ~20$ over the Elf (for 5 liters), a difference wich doesnt mind to me.

What is the best acording to their datasheets?

What do you think it is really better?

Your advice is much apreciated.

Thanks!

 

[FD777]

Nice car! I love the WRX UK rims for my year. I like the STi even more

Btw, the Castrol Longtec SLX 0w30 (I think called Castrol Syntec 0w30 / GC here) is actually thicker than the oils you mentioned above. At least at operating temps it is.

It does meet SL standards.
As you mentioned, it doesn't meet "Energy Conserving" and Subaru's preferred oil viscosities.

Of the three oils mentioned above, I have no advice. They're all too expensive for my tastes.

Based on reputation, I'm sure they will all do a wonderful job though.
Anyways, some of the more experienced members will chime in...

 

[boxcartommie22]

motul all the way superb oil or redline

 

[tharoka]

Thanks for your answers.

No one knows what the diferences are between the Elf Evolution and Elf Evolution SXR?

The only thing I can see is that the Elfs have a higher flash point. Is this a evidence of they are better?

Also, what groups are this oil made from?

One last question, is in this case the price an evidence of the oil is better? (50$ 5 liters of 8100 vs 30$ 5 liters Elf Evolution)

Thanks again.

 

[jmacmaster]

Higher price oil does not necessarily mean higher quality oil. I own a Forester and am on a major Forester forum. Its been my observation that a lot of Subaru owners, especially Forester XT (turbo), WRX, and STi owners, for some strange reason feel that more dollars means more quality as to just about anything they put into, add on to, or otherwise buy for their car. I personally think it has a lot to do with snob appeal among a group of people a large proportion of which are well paid professionals with little knowledge of things automotive. In my opinion, your STi will do just fine on any of the high grade oils that the rest of us use.

 

[tharoka]

jmacmaster, there can be two reasons for an oil to be more expensive than other, it could be due its composition/elavoration is more expensive/better or it can be mere marketing. Since I'm not an oil exprert, I made the question if in this case was a sign of what was made it from.

I wish I would be a little more snob and a little less paranoic

Also I think that the tree oils mentioned are the same of what the rest uses, isnt it?

Update: since I have not find the Efl SXR, I choosed the Motul. I also noticed that it has been overfilled in excess of half liter, is this something to worry about?

Thanks!

 

[Titan]

1/2 liter overfilled? That's too high for me. I'll let it go if it just creeps above the fill line. At 1/2 liter over, I'd pull some out. Of course, in that car, it means a long thin tube down the filler tube!