Ravenol Consensus

[mmmatt]

What are the general thoughts on Ravenol here? I see very mixed topics, some regarding discrepancies between batches while others seem to highly praise them.

My only interest in Ravenol is simply because it is easy to get for me at a reasonable price and at the specs I require, which are sometimes hard to find locally.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

If Ravenol is easy to get for you at a reasonable price and at the specs you require, there is nothing wrong with using it

Liqui-Moly is easier for me to get if I needed German synthetic anything, but L-M and Ravenol are probably similar/equal in quality.

 

[930.engineering]

It's quite simple - I do use some of them. Which discrepancies are you speaking about? I don't know of any.

I don't think LM is on par with Ravenol or even close to. While Ravenol has an extended range of top-notch and majority PAO/ester (so-called) "Racing Oils", which some of them (Ravenol REP, RSP, RUP) even come with highly esteemed approvals like BMW LL-04, MB 229.5, VW 511 00 or Porsche C40, LM has nothing like that. Even Ravenol's "non-racing" fully synthetic (golden jug) oils like VMP (VW 504 00), VST and others are superior to anything LM. Same with very most gear oils or their excellent Haldex fluid. LM is fine for their line of additives though, IF you really think you need them. I also admit LM has one quite new on the market VW G 052 527/G 052 171 equivalent 75W MTF, which seems to be high-class and I'd seriously consider for my GTI. Other than that? While I sometimes feel it's unfair that LM has such a disrepute on this forum, on the other hand this is for a reason. Most LM is just average.

 

[RamFan]

I’m a fan, but won’t spend extra money just to use their products.

I’m running their version of FZ in the Mazda because the price was right and it meets the specs I needed.

 

[OilUzer]

Pricey for average cars and driving conditions and short(er) oci.

I prefer shorter oci and a less expensive good oil (many out there) over extended oci and fancy expensive oils ... unless you are racing or something or need that kind of oil.

 

[JavierH19]

not sold at wallys = poo poo

Jk. never used it but i cant imagine it being a bad oil at all. now whether its a good value compared to others well that's a whole discussion by itself.

 

[OilUzer]

not sold at wallys = poo poo

And no moly either!
Total deal breaker for any expensive oil for me. lol

 

[skrypj]

I haven’t used their motor oil but run their MTF in my Lexus GX full time transfer case. It quieted it down a bit. It made a whine prior to me changing the fluid

 

[Shel_B]

Pricey for average cars and driving conditions and short(er) oci.

I prefer shorter oci and a less expensive good oil (many out there) over extended oci and fancy expensive oils ... unless you are racing or something or need that kind of oil.

Just curious, what do you consider a "fancy and expensive" oil?

 

[Gimpy1]

I used the Ravenol SP IV in my Optima when I did 2 D&F's recently. It was about the same price as the Kia stuff, plus I got free shipping and $25 in points on Blauparts. I don't care if people grimmace or say use Maxlife. To be suitable is not the same and the haters aren't going to pay for my trans. Its good stuff, it gave me 50 mpg and cured my baldness, and made me more popular with the ladies.

 

[dbias]

I've used Ravenol in my A4 ( RUP 5w-40 and SSL 0w-40 and their DSG fluid) and it is currently in the Cross Sport 3.6 VR6 with the VSW 0W30 504, and my sons Grand Cherokee V6 SFE 5W-20. I like the PAO content, high HTHS and low NOACK of all their oils. I always plan ahead and catch it on sale at Blauparts.
Is it more expensive? Yes compared to some oils out there but I think its worth it especially compared to some things my wife spends money on.

 

[sloinker]

If you actually want a true Group IV/V with manufacturer recommendations your choices are pretty limited. Ravenol/Motul and maybe a couple others are your options. If you don't care about that and want a configuration of mostly Group I/II/III then the price comes way down and choices open up. I have used Ravenol but it is pretty pricey, even with discounts. I do use Red Line which is recommended but not approved and cost's about the same. I have moved almost all my vehicles to Mobil 1 ESP 5W30 and am happy with the compromise because of the cost and its impeccable pedigree. I imagine the batching on the Ravenol is good enough for the manufacturers to vet their product before licensing.

 

[OilUzer]

Just curious, what do you consider a "fancy and expensive" oil?

Anything over $10/qt.
Last I checked, Ravenol was $12/qt.

I prefer under $5/qt. Lots of good syn oil under this category even as low as $2.50/qt (e.g. ST, Kirkland).

 

[930.engineering]

Regarding pricing: I'd guess it's mainly due to shipping across the pond. While Redline, Amsoil and RP (and also Penrite) are almost insanely expensive in Europe, Ravenol and Motul are costlier in the US and Canada.
There's more than a hundred engine oils, like 30 gear oils and almost 50 ATFs they make, not to mention other products. Prices vary greatly. To get a feel for choice and pricing have a look at this German shop. I'd bet they don't sell all products Ravenol produce. I think they're pretty competitive:

https://www.ravenol-shop.de/pkw/motoroel/?p=1&n=60&o=3

1 € = $ 1,23
PKW = passenger cars
LKW = heavy trucks
mineral = conventional
teilsynthetisch = semi synthetic
vollsynthetisch = fully synthetic

 

[sk_pete]

newly discovered vst 5w40 is overkill for my car, but i like the behavior and quietness. (i guess tungsten is to "blame")
the boutique conventional motul x-cess wasn´t that exciting.
bad thing is, vst moved 36€-->50€ and motul went down to 25€...
what a sudden change in prices...

 

[mmmatt]

It's quite simple - I do use some of them. Which discrepancies are you speaking about? I don't know of any.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/ravenol-excessive-for-my-needs.334415/page-4#post-5598394

Regarding pricing: I'd guess it's mainly due to shipping across the pond. While Redline, Amsoil and RP (and also Penrite) are almost insanely expensive in Europe, Ravenol and Motul are costlier in the US and Canada.
There's more than a hundred engine oils, like 30 gear oils and almost 50 ATFs they make, not to mention other products. Prices vary greatly. To get a feel for choice and pricing have a look at this German shop. I'd bet they don't sell all products Ravenol produce. I think they're pretty competitive:

https://www.ravenol-shop.de/pkw/motoroel/?p=1&n=60&o=3

1 € = $ 1,23
PKW = passenger cars
LKW = heavy trucks
mineral = conventional
teilsynthetisch = semi synthetic
vollsynthetisch = fully synthetic

I'm in Europe and the price of having Ravenol shipped to me vs buying Castrol in stores (which typically isn't a preferable spec from what's available) is pretty much the same. 4L of Mobil 1 is almost €80 to get hold of here!

My only experience with Ravenol till now is from that very site. I have used their T-WS transmission fluid and might start using their motor oils too now.

 

[kschachn]

I'm in Europe and the price of having Ravenol shipped to me vs buying Castrol in stores (which typically isn't a preferable spec from what's available) is pretty much the same. 4L of Mobil 1 is almost €80 to get hold of here!

My only experience with Ravenol till now is from that very site. I have used their T-WS transmission fluid and might start using their motor oils too now.

What's a preferable spec? What approval or specification do you need?

 

[mmmatt]

What's a preferable spec? What approval or specification do you need?

0W-30 A5/B5 (VOLVO VCC 95200377)
0W-20 API SN (Mazda Skyactiv)

I can opt for 5w30 sourced locally of course, but why not get the proper spec if its the same price from Ravenol?

 

[kschachn]

0W-30 A5/B5 (VOLVO VCC 95200377)
0W-20 API SN (Mazda Skyactiv)

I can opt for 5w30 sourced locally of course, but why not get the proper spec if its the same price from Ravenol?

Why not just buy the proper specification at the lowest cost? What’s special about Ravenol?

 

[mmmatt]

Why not just buy the proper specification at the lowest cost? What’s special about Ravenol?

Because I can't get those specs locally at ANY cost. Nothing special about Ravenol just that I can order from their store very easily for a reasonable price.