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Hi Robert,
I'll try to answer as objectively as possible, given my bias towards using a robust & protective, fully synthetic, ACEA A3-rated oil.
Going through your post, I noticed several things. Climate's a consideration if you're using conventional oil, but not if you're using synthetic. And it doesn't really matter if you FEEL like you "don't drive the car too rough," because with a turbo you don't have control over all the variables anyway. It sounds like you want something better than "it really doesn't matter," but you don't say how much "good care" you want to apply or how long you intend to keep the car. You also don't say what you mean by "better mileage." Or how long you want to go between changes. 3mos/3k miles? 12mos/15k miles?
The short answer: Any full synthetic oil will offer all the "basic" protection you could ever want for your car. Moreover, some semi-syns (like Saab's & one or two others) will do the same. TG is exactly right in saying that oils today are much better than oils of even just a few years ago. Change it (& the filter; any brand will do) every 3k to 5k miles & you're set for probably as long as you'll ever own the car. No worries. Better protection & gas mileage than "generic" oil. Any brand, any viscosity, any price.
The long answer: If you plan to keep the car for any length of time, then you might want to consider the benefits of "better" oil. And that's the hard part. Any PREMIUM full syn oil (like Saab now specifies for only their newest cars) will out-perform any "generic full syn" oil. All the premium oils cost more, but not all the oils that cost more are premium oils. We all have our preferences for brands & viscosities. Dick can prove to you that Amsoil performs superbly. I can dig up data which shows the new Mobil 1 oils to also be top contenders. Here in the US we have regulations for manufacturers to meet specific fuel economies, & thinner oils do that better than thicker oils. But Saab recommends that we use oils providing a specific film barrier, & thicker oils do that better than thinner oils.
If you care what Saab is currently specifying for their new cars, then the oil should meet both the new GM/Saab/Opel GM-LL-A-025 "Long Life" spec & the ACEA A3 spec. And only one oil meets both: Mobil 1 0W-40 full syn. (That's right, Saab's own dealer-supplied, full syn 0W-30 oil does NOT meet both of their own recommendations. But, like I said before, change it frequently & you'll be fine.) Unfortunately, I think the days of $15 & $18 jugs of Mobil 1 are gone, as the newest jugs at my local WalMart are priced at $22+. This means the most durable AND protective Mobil 1 costs about 50 cents a quart more than any of the others.
But, it's your car. You have to decide your level of comfort & go from there. Here's my take: I want the best protection for the longest amount of time & the least amount of money. Mobil 1 0W-40 does that for me. I can safely extend my drains to 10k miles, which saves me from having to waste my time changing my oil so often, which reduces both my cost & my trash (oil & filters). If there's no way in hell you're driving more than 3k or 5k miles between changes, then the only thing you need to consider is my third paragraph, & all the rest of this is just anointment therapy for me.
But hey, I like it. I'm funny that way...
posted by 32.103.218...
, Sat, 25 Jan 2003 09:34:00
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