As some of you may have seen on the telly over Christmas, Halfords are selling 5W-30 fully synthetic oil for £10. When I got there they had 2 types, a Ford and a Vauxhall/BMW one. Anyone got any idea what makes these oils specific to thise manufacturers, or is it just a marketing con? The halfords own make VAG spec (again 5w-30 fully synth.) is £40odd. Surely if you change it on time it won't make any difference, will it?...

I used halfords £10 5w40 in the silver bottle

I used halfords £10 5w40 in the silver bottle

Which one was that? They only had pink (Opel/BM) or blue (Ford) today?

Its possible they either sold out or they dont have it this time. Last time the offer was on they had it

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_986183_langId_-1_categoryId_165581

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_986183_langId_-1_categoryId_165581

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?catalogId=10151&storeId=10001&categoryId=165581&langId=-1&action=listrefine&scope=inl||partnumber||4||338720||640775||542326||338704&constraints=sor||Price||1&cm_re=10cms+slides-_-Slide+1-_-selectedhpoil

Fixed or variable service intervals?

Fixed or variable service intervals?

Changed on the drive every 8-10k :-)

For the 1.8T engine on fixed service intervals I would use an oil which is approved as meeting specification VW 502 00. An oil which 'meets the requirements of VW 502 00' (the wording used on Halfords 5W/40 fully synthetic petrol and diesel oil container) does not have VW approval.

The one in the link is the one i used

Silver bottle.

I bought 5 cans last time around, but I do an oil and filter change every 5k.

No silver bottles available in my area this time round

For what it's worth...

 

I bought my Octy VRs with 80k on the clock, with a nice service history.

 

Having had previous experience (both road and race engines) with Mobil 1 oil - I've run the car on 0w-40 Mobil 1 from 80k through to the current mileage of 140k. The car had a stage-1 remap at 80k, (with a Pipercross airfilter and Forge dump valve too) and responded beautifully.

 

Now the motor has been used, hard, and loosened up nicely - she really does pull like the proverbial train in all gears, runs beautifully, and idles with a whisper, like a sewing machine. On start-up, I don't even get clattery hydraulic lifters, like I have heard on other Octy VRs's.

 

I change the oil every 10k, with a new genuine filter each time. Although, to be fair, I do a fair amount of motorway miles, and not so much town driving.

 

 

I know there's a lot of internet to'ing and fro'ing about Mobil 1 - but for me, it's always been an absolute winner.

 

I removed the rocker cover just before the winter to replace the gasket - and the internals of the top of the engine were sparklingly clean - looking really nice. All the cam lobes looked like little mirrors on a stick - not even a hint of wear, damage or scoring.

 

 

So - despite the expense - Mobil 1 all the way for me. (Although it must be said I have a Halfords Trade Card which gets me a pack of the nectar at only £30...)