Fecking Oil Again!!!

[ianran]

I know tihs has been done to death but I thought this might be of interest. Some while ago I published a transcript of an email conversation between Opie oils and myself. Within this they basically said that any oil of the same grade should answer the manufactuers warranty requirements stating its pretty much illegal to force you to buy a specific oil.

Opie Oils are now able to supply BMW's recommended Oil, it now seems that they are changing their party line I quote;

Their response to an enquiry for oil,

Ian,

Thanks, this is the approved one from Castrol http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69349-c...4t-10w-50-motorcycle-4-stroke-engine-oil.aspx

Cannot do free delivery at the moment.

Regards

Guy.

My response;

Stuff that at £16 a litre!!!
Have you got some without gold in it thats an equivalent??

Ian

Their response;

Nope, this is Castrol and BMW having some fun. As this is the only approved oil for the bike and was only available through dealers, Castrol let us stock it but only if we sell it at no less then a certain price.

Regards

Guy.

Me!!

So you have no alternative that is as good as this?? I find that hard to believe.
Ian

Them!!

Hi Ian

We have the Silkolene Pro 4 10w-50, which is a better oil and better value, but due to the BMW/Castrol tie up, it may invalidate your warranty. I know it sounds silly, but that's the way it is with BMW and Castrol.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-815-sil...full-synthetic-ester-4-stroke-engine-oil.aspx

Regards

Tim

So it seems that even the independants are being pressured by BMW into following the party line

I have had R1200Gs's that have used Castrol oil and other offerings, for what its worth, the gearbox is smoother with the Castrol than cheaper alternatives. As to the engine oil, using like for like specification, to my seat of the pants testing, they appear to give the same performance and petrol consumption as Castrol.

 

[cookie]

it may invalidate your warranty



twaddle. the manual that comes with the bike gives no requirement to use castrol oil exclusively.

 

[ebbo]

My handbook says 20w50 and that is what I put in http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=270249
Comma Sonic 20w50 to API SL £15.29 for 5 Litres!

 

[stolzy]

, Castrol let us stock it but only if we sell it at no less then a certain price.

Is that legal? I thought there were regulations about manufacturers specifying minimum prices

 

[Rasher]

All bollox I reckon, as long as you use correct grade and specifications, a good guide to what these mean is here:

http://www.driverstechnology.co.uk/oils.htm

Bottom line is use the correct rated oil, I cannot see how BMW can force you to use a certain brand, or at a dealer level have any way of telling what oil is in the bike.

The Castrol tie-up is just a marketing scam to sell oil to punters at ridiculous prices and try to ensure you buy it from their shop.

My local dealer supplies Silkolene (or is it just called Fuchs now?) and I have been throwing it in bikes since the 80's, I have also used other brands at times and would be happy with any known brands (Shell, Castrol, Putoline, Rock-Oil )

Only thing to beware of is making sure it is JASO MA if putting it in a wet cluctch motorcycle:

http://www.bikenomads.com/wiki/index.php/Do_not_use_car_oil_in_bikes

More good reading:

http://www.motorcycleproject.com/motorcycle/text/motoroil.html

http://www.smartsynthetics.com/articles/motorcycle_oil_technical_facts.htm

You should now be well prepared to tell the smarmy chap at the BMW dealer he is talking total bollox when he insists you spend £20 a litre on your oil.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

All bollox I reckon, as long as you use correct grade and specifications

You should now be well prepared to tell the smarmy chap at the BMW dealer he is talking total bollox when he insists you spend £20 a litre on your oil.

Well put old chap

I've used all sorts in my bike ranging from Halfords to the current choice of Putoline. 67k and no issue.