RNBRAD

Many of you guys know I'm an oil quality guru. Having said that I haven't kept up in recent years, I always figured Mobil 1 was the gold standard in Dino stock base oil quality and didn't see anything changing that. Well I just had my oil changed on my 550 and noticed MB service switched to Valvoline Synpower. Man was I ever mad but thought I'm going to review this before I show my discontent. Well come to find out that Mobil 1 5w-30 did not meet API SM and ILSAC GF4 specifications by an independent laboratory a few years back and not just by a smidge but Valvoline literally smoked them out of the water. I noticed Valvoline is currently advertising their superiority over Mobil 1 based on this test. Here's some info below. What do you guys think? Valvoline claims that Mobil needs to drop their specifications they don't meet and advertising this info but I don't see much rebuttal on the Mobil side. I'm thinking their might be something to this or lawsuits would by flying or rebuttal from other independent studies. I may be switching everything to Valvoline if this is a 100% legit and as far as I can tell it is 100% legit!! I'm still waiting on my MB service rep to reply as to why their switch. Any thoughts or anyone already use Valvoline Synpower? Man oil selection is like a religion to me but I may be switching my faith. Have I been drinking Mobil 1 Koolaid? Lol

http://www.lubritecinc.com/PDF/Q%20&...X%20Better.pdf

homeofstone

I have used Valvoline synpower for more then 15 years. I generally put over 200,000 miles on my vehicles before replacing them. It is excellent oil. I do use 0-40 Mobil 1 in my E63 but if I could easily find 5w40 Synpower I would use it.

DJ Hellfire

I've always used Mobile 1 or Castrol Edge. Never had an issue. Never put more than 150,000 miles on a car though! To me, meeting standards (or not meeting them) doesn't really mean much if the oil is doing it's job for my particular application.

Also seems hard to believe that auto manufacturers of the worlds best automobiles (MB, BMW, etc) would use Mobile 1 oil at factories and dealerships and slap the stickers under the hoods without testing it or without meeting the required standards. But who knows!

instantfob

I have been using SynPower for few years too.
Mainly due to price and easy to order from Amazon.com

What's your opinion on the Total oil?
They are MB229.5 approved and priced well on Amazon as well

El Cid

Please post why your dealer changed. Was it their decision or did MBUSA direct it? If their decision, did MBUSA approve it?
Maybe you could call MBUSA customer assistance since you have all the information and get their view on it.

RNBRAD

They still haven't replied, I'll try asking them again or go another route.