Unofficialbmw.com

[edjack]

I’m a member of the BMW CCA, Northern California Chapter.

Last September, Roy Howell, VP and Chief Chemist at RedLine Oil Company, made a technical presentation before our chapter, as reported in our newsletter, “die flusternde Bombe”.

Among other topics, he discussed the use of synthetic oil in a street-driven car, and the following is a quote from the newsletter: “All of the major oil companies make very good lubricants. Store-shelf lubricants are quite inexpensive. It is difficult to argue that the extra cost of synthetic oils (about $8 a quart, versus about $1.50 a quart) will be recovered in extended engine life in normal, on-the-street driving. However, the improved properties of the best synthetics can make a difference in a race car.”

Note that he is implying the use of RedLine oil, by way of quoting the price per quart. The apparent reason for such a high price is that RedLine products are based on ester oils, true synthetic, not derived from dino feedstocks.

The following was excerpted from a series of articles published by Nutz & Bolts, in Butler, MD. You can download the series from their web site for $7.50: www.motorminute.com. I must admit, they smell a little biased towards RedLine products, so do not take this as Gospel; on the other hand, some really good technical info is presented.

“The base stock materials used today for most popular synlubes are made of carbon and hydrogen molecules synthesized ethylene gas molecules into polyalphaolefin (PAO)…PAOs are the cheapest synthetic oil base stocks. PAOs aren’t as durable as the other class of synthetic oils, the esters… that results in an oil that costs about $8 a quart.

…RedLine uses polyol ester base stocks…”

It appears to me that, if you wish to use any “synthetic” that costs less than $8 a quart, you should not expect it to last much longer than plain old “dino” oil, and should change it at about the same interval as you would the latter.

It also appears that, if you want the absolute best synthetic, you get RedLine.

[sifang1]

Redline is a good synthetic, but it compares poorly to Amsoil in several aspects. For one, Amsoil has "boundary line" lubrication additives that protect your engine if your oil pump fails or you lose all your oil. These additives give you time to shut down your engine before damage occurs. There are testimonials to this. No other oils offer this. Check their story below. -MarvinAmsoil