[s2konroids]

Hi,

Stumbled across ester based oils has anyone used them before? From the little I have read they should offer better lubrication and less wear than say non ester based ones like castrol edge etc.

Millers ester stuff is reasonably priced and gets good reviews.

Cheers

[razzele]

I use it- Fuchs pro expensive-

Motor hasn't blown yet lol

[s2konroids]

Yeah they generally are, any differences noticed raz?

[razzele]

My motor hasn't blown up is the only difference i noted in comparison to mobil 1. Hardly a fair test though.

[Chris Harris]

I use Fuchs Race Pro S - have done for years in previous cars. Opie think that it's the best oil out there and they seem to know their stuff. For the extra £10 a time on the 2 oil changes I do a year it seems like a no brainer.

I did give the Castrol Edge TD stuff a go last time, seemed fine for the first few months when it burnt nothing at all but seemed to start using more as the oil got older.

I think I read somewhere that the amount of synthetic base oil required for an oil to be called synthetic was some pathetic amount around a couple of per cent. I think oils marketed as ester are 100% synthetic or something like that.

I'm sure someone who actually knows anything about this will be along to correct me shortly

[Floppy]

There are quite a few threads discussing this already I think AJ, I'll see if I can find some as I remember posting quite a while back...

I've used Silkolene Pro S, now Fuchs Titan Race Pro S in my EP3 and got on well with it. I tried it in my old MY04 S2000 and think it drank quite a bit. However, I've recently done the first service on my current S and it hasn't used a drop in a month, when normally it would use about 1L of Castrol Edge. I'll let you know over the next couple of weeks whether it suddenly seems to disappear but its looking good so far.

[Si2k]

They never seem to carry many specs these 'Ester' based oils.

Thats all I'm saying on the subject

[dan_bourne]

To the guys using the race pro s stuff, is that a 5w30, or 5w40?

I'll definitely try some of this instead of the Castro edge next time I do an oil change : )

Dan

[Floppy]

5w40 for me...my last post seems to have disappeared

My understanding of an ester/PAO oil is that it is a single weight oil that has the same pour point properties of a multi-grade hydrocracked mineral oil. So in theory it gives better and more consistent lubrication in both hot and cold conditions. I'm no expert on it though so just saying what I have read...which has taken hours!

[Si2k]

Ester/PAOs still need Viscosity modifier and so are classed as multigrades. Despite what you read, they really are no better than anything else, infact the specifications on the bottle would say the opposite. Arent some of them still on API SL??? This is behind API SM and the latest API SN. ACEA A3/B3 is also lower performing than A3/B4. Let alone all the OEM specifications

I see no benefit of PAO over Synthetic Group IIIs in a road car application. There are literally hundreds of types of esters, and most turn to acid when they get wet. Dont get hung up over a word.

[dan_bourne]

I understand there are many grades and specifications to meet, but it's such a minefield of crap/rebranding/decent oil that I'm left feeling a little lost. Opie thinks that fuchs race pro s stuff is good yet you say its not? I'm not stirring anything, genuine interest : )

So what in your opinion which oil is best to use the? My Car is used for weekend/fast road/occasional track use. Everyone has a different opinion on what to use, so I find it easier to just ask than second guess what to use.

From everything I've read (which is quite a lot) I still feel clueless because one persons opinion gets shot down by another...? And the only piece of fact I've come out with is run a fully synthetic oil.

Dan.

[s2konroids]

Si works for Castrol in Oil so he knows his stuff, he appears a genuine guy and not biased.

[dan_bourne]

I'm sure he is, even more a reason to ask him what we(I) should be running!

[Nick Graves]

I use Castrol The Edge.

Maybe Si can explain why the oil fairies steal it out of one's sumps. Are they the same as the petrol fairies, who come in at night & steal a bar's worth when yo thought you had just enough?

[lovegroova]

dan_bourne, on 22 February 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

I'm sure he is, even more a reason to ask him what we(I) should be running!

Si has recommended the Edge 5w40, either Diesel or Petrol versions.

Lots of people use it and are happy with it.

I've used 4 or 5 brands of fuel, some semi-synth (Castrol Magnatec 10W40, Shell Helix 10w40) and some synth too.

111k miles now.

Most important thing is to make sure there is sufficient in the engine, particularly if you have an MY03 or earlier.

[Ultra_Nexus]

Nick Graves, on 22 February 2012 - 01:10 PM, said:

I use Castrol The Edge.

Maybe Si can explain why the oil fairies steal it out of one's sumps. Are they the same as the petrol fairies, who come in at night & steal a bar's worth when yo thought you had just enough?

I am almost certain this is down to fuel contamination.

Been doing a lot of consideration on this and it is a common theme that, when new, oil tends to stay in the sump of a <04 F20C.

Once used (2-3000 miles worth) it starts to get eaten and even adding new oil does nothing to prevent it.

I would very much like to see an >04 ECU ran on a <04 car. I'm willing to bet oil consumption pretty much stops.

The only other thing i'd suggest would be to run a more contamination resistant oil. 5-40 isn't enough so one would have to step up.

A blend of half 5-40 and half 10-60 would be a good start.

If you don't use your car in winter, go a 15-50.

[Nick Graves]

Mine rarely do that between oil changes!

Up until about 40,000 miles, the oil stays clean, but they do drink a bit.

Thereafter, the oil dirties quicker & they drink more - especially in the case of the Prelude, with the early FRM bores. The Civ isn't far behind, with conventional liners.

Certainly the 0w30 stuff NWHL put in there practically evaporates these days - it's useless. Another reason I've started doing interim changes.

[Owen_1987]

I have changed from Motul 300v to Fuchs Pro race (both 5w 40) because the Motul seemed to dissapear very quickly and I was going through it like petrol. Since changing to Fuchs it doesn't drink anywhere near as much (had it in for at least 6 months now) and is a fair bit cheaper to buy. I will be sticking to Fuchs from now on

[Nick Graves]

I was tempted by the Opie Fuchs offer, TBH.

I've tended to stick to the Castrol for topping-up purposes. At least a total-loss oil system keeps it cleaner, a bit!

[Ultra_Nexus]

Opie have an offer on the new Gulf Ester based stuff.

Been reading around and it has a very good shear resistance per weight.

at £60 for 10 litres, represents good value too

It's what I have bought for the Cossie

[MB]

Owen_1987, on 23 February 2012 - 07:54 AM, said:

I have changed from Motul 300v to Fuchs Pro race (both 5w 40) because the Motul seemed to dissapear very quickly and I was going through it like petrol. Since changing to Fuchs it doesn't drink anywhere near as much (had it in for at least 6 months now) and is a fair bit cheaper to buy. I will be sticking to Fuchs from now on

Is that a fair seasonal comparisson?

[s2k_Nut]

I have a shed full of Millers courtesy of Mikey K (good enough for his charger) as part of a job I did for him, I intend to begin using this soon might even oil change it this weekend ... weather permitting
My 02 drinks oil like there is no tomorrw, always has had in my time of ownership.

[Ultra_Nexus]

s2k_Nut, on 23 February 2012 - 01:20 PM, said:

I have a shed full of Millers courtesy of Mikey K (good enough for his charger) as part of a job I did for him, I intend to begin using this soon might even oil change it this weekend ... weather permitting
My 02 drinks oil like there is no tomorrw, always has had in my time of ownership.

I thought it stopped during that time we changed for the Castrol?

[s2konroids]

MB, on 23 February 2012 - 12:52 PM, said:

Owen_1987, on 23 February 2012 - 07:54 AM, said:

I have changed from Motul 300v to Fuchs Pro race (both 5w 40) because the Motul seemed to dissapear very quickly and I was going through it like petrol. Since changing to Fuchs it doesn't drink anywhere near as much (had it in for at least 6 months now) and is a fair bit cheaper to buy. I will be sticking to Fuchs from now on

Is that a fair seasonal comparisson?

I've tried 5 brands of oil in my car,the oil it consumed the most was motul 300v and mobil1 both same viscosity.

People won't like this but I think motul is over rated, still its hard to gauge these things but it's based on consumption and noise.

I would like to say I'm non biased dispite not wanting anything do with with French products if I can help it, I don't particularly like french either prefer the Germans lol.

Oil is a much of a muchness, still reading these esters seem better despite people saying otherwise.

Wear is probably the most concern on people's mind which esters seem better at. Though I don't have enough knowledge to argue this fact myself. I don't believe in changing oil every five mins too lol.

Still suck it and see - as MB says

I would still try millers ester, if it's good for one knowledgeable member...

[MB]

Its all interesting stuff but I've always said stick to a big brand, right viscosity and all will be well.

I've switched to castrol now and you can't go wrong!

Other than long term consumption, it's all just opinion other than what Si has to say. None of us have torn an engine down, nor would we notice the difference.