amsoil anyone?

[SlickGT1]

Excellent. I have credit at the local BMW dealer. I am going to pick up some BMW oil. Why not. Those pics of that 15k mile oil change interval engine look great. I will still never go more than 7k mile oil change, because well NYC is not normal use, and I'm not exactly using it normal.

[tynashracing]

Originally Posted by JCL

Well, it seems I might be one of the ones you are referring to

I don't know what this has to do with large multinationals, you lost me there. I don't have an opinion about the size of Mobil, Castrol, BMW, or Amsoil. I don't see how it is relevant.

Stating facts about oil products isn't bashing. But relating engine failures to a specific engine oil without a failure analysis is.

It seems like a long time since we had an oil thread. Must just be time again.

JCL, large multi-nationals simply refers to the likes of Mobil 1, Castrol, Pennzoil, Valvoline, etc.
I would call Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple, etc., boutiques.


The relevance I'm suggesting is that the larger companies have budgets for API testing...as I'm assuming they do this test to satisfy manufacturer's who endorse their oil for service life of various components.

It makes no sense to me that Amsoil would test some of their product and not all of it. I'd love to hear their angle...not just on why only some got tested but their take on the entire testing process and it's relevance for real world usage.

[JCL]

Amsoil is quite clear about not wanting to certify their more expensive oils. See their web site.

The point is, they can afford to certify their lower price point oils. The theory that as a boutique producer they can't afford to certify their other oils doesn't wash.

Edit: I looked them up. Is over $75m annual revenue and 90,000 dealers a boutique company? No Exxon, but no corner store either.

[tynashracing]

Originally Posted by JCL

Amsoil is quite clear about not wanting to certify their more expensive oils. See their web site.

The point is, they can afford to certify their lower price point oils. The theory that as a boutique producer they can't afford to certify their other oils doesn't wash.

Edit: I looked them up. Is over $75m annual revenue and 90,000 dealers a boutique company? No Exxon, but no corner store either.

Are you kidding? $75 million is absolutely CHUMP change compared to the multi-nationals.
Yeah, 90k dealers that are probably not making much money off of Amsoil sales.

Multi-nationals are reporting BILLIONS in profits...not millions.

Amsoil's earnings of $50- $75 million is probably gross revs...not profit! I don't know since it's not publicly traded. But, this is not a company that can go toe to toe with a multi-national.

[JCL]

Of course it is tiny compared to a multi-national oil company, I acknowledged that.

I just don't think over 75 million in revenue (not profit, revenue) fits the description of a small store, which is what a boutique is. If by boutique you mean highly specialized, then that has nothing to do with their ability to fund a certification program.

And I think that portraying them as a small struggling independent fighting the good fight against the evil oil companies is just buying their marketing pitch hook line and sinker. The only reason this came up is because it was suggested that they are too small to be able to certify their oils. Nonsense, they certify some of their oils, this is all just part of the image they want to create for themselves.

[tynashracing]

Originally Posted by JCL

Of course it is tiny compared to a multi-national oil company, I acknowledged that.

I just don't think over 75 million in revenue (not profit, revenue) fits the description of a small store, which is what a boutique is. If by boutique you mean highly specialized, then that has nothing to do with their ability to fund a certification program.

And I think that portraying them as a small struggling independent fighting the good fight against the evil oil companies is just buying their marketing pitch hook line and sinker. The only reason this came up is because it was suggested that they are too small to be able to certify their oils. Nonsense, they certify some of their oils, this is all just part of the image they want to create for themselves.

Boutiques...specialty and small.
Frankly, I'm surprised companies like Amsoil even exist today. If not for racers and the 90k dealers and the way it's marketed...they probably wouldn't. Nope, they'd be gobbled up and added to the long list of multi-nationals that love crushing entrepreneurs. I know that is a broad brush stroke kind of statement. I have no idea about how Amsoil is run...sounds like people that rep for the company appreciate the ability to offer clients the product. People that use the product seem to also benefit.

Anyway, I've grown tired of this. You win...the multi-nationals are the most honest and fair playing businesses on the planet. Now I want to throw up!

[SlickGT1]

I bought a ton of Amsoil back in the day. Mostly for family cars and my own. I put it in my Lexus GS430. My engine started making noise. I couldn't pin point it, but it was noisier. I let it be for 4k miles, and then got concerned. I drained it, and was horrified at how burnt up looking it was. Black. I mean I would drain my Mobil 1, after 5-6k miles, and never seen it this disgusting.

I sold whatever I had left over of my 5w30.

My friend had a Ford Focus, boosted. In my order he also got Amsoil for his car. Boosted car specific oil. Supposedly the shit. 2k miles, he changed it out due to the same noise concerns, and the fact that the oil on the dipstick was black.

I haven't looked into Amsoil till now. And after reading JCLs argument, I am going to give BMW oil a shot. I think I will pass on Amsoil yet again.

[TwinTurboGTR]

Originally Posted by JCL

edit: Here is a link for those that want to see the pictures.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...intervals.html

Errrr... What a minute. Anyone see the album??? It opens a series of pictures and there are 2 sets for what looks like the same motor. The second set actually looks like what the engine should look like after 93K miles.

That clean motor looks like it is a rebuild motor. I mean is it clean... Sure, but not even a hint of varnish anywhere? It is a little strange. Looking at the later pics, now that motor looks like it has some mileage on it and varnish in all the right places. The clean motor looks like it was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. My best guess is it was an engine overhaul and the guy was just trying to show off the new bling. IMHO that motor does not look like it has ANY hours on it.

[tynashracing]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

I bought a ton of Amsoil back in the day. Mostly for family cars and my own. I put it in my Lexus GS430. My engine started making noise. I couldn't pin point it, but it was noisier. I let it be for 4k miles, and then got concerned. I drained it, and was horrified at how burnt up looking it was. Black. I mean I would drain my Mobil 1, after 5-6k miles, and never seen it this disgusting.

I sold whatever I had left over of my 5w30.

My friend had a Ford Focus, boosted. In my order he also got Amsoil for his car. Boosted car specific oil. Supposedly the shit. 2k miles, he changed it out due to the same noise concerns, and the fact that the oil on the dipstick was black.

I haven't looked into Amsoil till now. And after reading JCLs argument, I am going to give BMW oil a shot. I think I will pass on Amsoil yet again.

Slick...I'm using BMW as well. I'll be replacing my Mobil 1 this weekend.

I have no experience with Amsoil as I've mentioned too many times now. I'm sure there are more stories like yours out there. If that was happening widespread today...I think we'd hear more about it. I haven't.
JCL has made a very valid point about why they have tested some oil and not their more expensive stuff. Makes no sense to me. I'd love to get an explanation.
Also, I would've given Amsoil a try by now if it was convenient. It's not. So, it's just easier to get the oil from my dealer and as I mentioned...no funny noises with my timing chain.

[tynashracing]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboGTR

Errrr... What a minute. Anyone see the album??? It opens a series of pictures and there are 2 sets for what looks like the same motor. The second set actually looks like what the engine should look like after 93K miles.

That clean motor looks like it is a rebuild motor. I mean is it clean... Sure, but not even a hint of varnish anywhere? It is a little strange. Looking at the later pics, now that motor looks like it has some mileage on it and varnish in all the right places. The clean motor looks like it was disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled. My best guess is it was an engine overhaul and the guy was just trying to show off the new bling. IMHO that motor does not look like it has ANY hours on it.

Ha, nope never looked at the photo's. Guess I'll have a peak and see.