Redline vs Mobil 1, any real difference?

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Sep 18, 2022
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I have a 1985 Ferrari Mondial QV with a flat tappet engine. I will need to do an oil change in the next couple of weeks. Would there really be any benefit in switching from Mobil 1 15w50 to redline 10w50? I do drive the car rather hard and frequently cruise at speeds of between 100-120 mph where the RPMs set between 5000-6000. The engine redline is 7k. The oil temps rarely exceed 210F.

Redline is significantly more expensive, and its availability much less, but if it would significantly reduce engine wear it would absolutely be worth the price. If the real world difference is negligible then I might be better off sticking with Mobil 1.
 
I have a 1985 Ferrari Mondial QV with a flat tappet engine. I will need to do an oil change in the next couple of weeks. Would there really be any benefit in switching from Mobil 1 15w50 to redline 10w50? I do drive the car rather hard and frequently cruise at speeds of between 100-120 mph where the RPMs set between 5000-6000. The engine redline is 7k. The oil temps rarely exceed 210F.

Redline is significantly more expensive, and its availability much less, but if it would significantly reduce engine wear it would absolutely be worth the price. If the real world difference is negligible then I might be better off sticking with Mobil 1.
The engine in top gear is spinning those rpm's at 100-120mph?
 
You have a vintage Ferrari and you are worried about the price of a few quarts of oil?
Not worried about the price, I would be more worried about the availability. I’m mostly curious if the benefits would be negligible. I do drive the car a lot, I’m on track to put over 10k miles on it this year so I want to engine to last as long as possible.
 
Would there really be any benefit in switching from Mobil 1 15w50 to redline 10w50?
Mobil 1 15W-50 will be fine. If you take me for a ride in this car, I will gladly pay to refill your gas tank, I do not want a free ride!

I would use Mobil 1 FS Euro x2 5W-50 instead of 15W-50. Both are the same viscosity but the first one is ACEA A3/B4 and has many Euro car approvals, including MB 229.3 and Porsche A40. The M1 15W-50 doesn't have any of those. I'm sure the base oils and additive package of the FS Euro oil are much better too.
You can find the Mobil 1 FS Euro x2 5W-50 at eBay for about $7-8 per quart.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-fs-x2-5w-50

Screenshot 2026-07-16 at 11.20.57 PM.webp
 
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I would use Mobil 1 FS Euro x2 5W-50 before 15W-50. Both are the same viscosity but the first one is ACEA A3/B4 and has many Euro car approvals, including MB 229.3 and Porsche A40. The M1 15W-50 doesn't have any of those. I'm sure the base oils and additive package of the FS Euro oil are much better too.
You can find the Mobil 1 FS Euro x2 5W-50 at eBay for about $7-8 per quart.

https://www.mobil.com/en/lubricants/for-personal-vehicles/our-products/products/mobil-1-fs-x2-5w-50
That makes a lot of sense.

For the OP, be sure to use only a Baldwin or UFI oil filter. The both have the proper standpipe and anti drainback valve. The Mobil 1 filter has no standpipe and the Fram filter has the standpipe but the anti-drain back valves never work to hold oil in the filter. The Baldwin and UFI were are all I used when I had a 308GTS and later a 328GTS. I used Mobil 1 15w-50 in the 308 and later when I got the 328, I used Mobil 1 0w-40 or Castrol Edge 5w-40...but that was many moons ago.
 
Baldwin or UFI oil filter
Is Baldwin good? Before I exclusively used UFI, and I still will for the Mondial. However, for my Testarossa I have to find an alternative as UFI stopped producing TR oil filters. Baldwin does make one that will fit the TR. This makes me a little nervous because the only engine that I’ve ever lost in my life was due to a faulty oil filter.
 
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