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#41 ·
Couple more options?

Hello guys! Just joined here.

Per XR suggestion on page 1, replying with potential two more options from Liqui Moly - Leichtlauf High Tech SAE 5W-40 and Top Tec 4100 SAE 5W-40 (Both specs attached). I exchanged few emails with Mr. Roman Göser (roman.goeser@liqui-moly.de) from Liqui Moly in Germany and here is what he said:

"The Top Tec 4100 is a low-SAPS oil on base of ACEA C3. We recommend this oil for the Fiat Spider 124, because according to our information is for this engine an oil required, with the specification Fiat 9.55535-S2 or alternative ACEA C3. But it is possible, that an manufacturer, in your case Fiat, adapt the requirements to the different countries/markets, due to various conditions. So if in your handbook the MS-12991 is required, it is also possible to use the Top Tec 4100, but here is the LIQUI MOLY Leichtlauf High Tech SAE 5W-40 a better choice, because this is an full-SAPS oil, as it is required by the MS-12991. Since Fiat has no approval process, we do not have this specification official, it is only recommend, but the MS-12991 is based on ACEA A3/B4 therefore you can use it without any problems.

From a technical point of view, the transmission and the rear differential is the same to the Mazda Miata/MX-5,
but Fiat required for these components oils with own specifications (transmission Fiat 9.55550-MZ11, differential Fiat 9.55550-DA11) and Fiat gives no informations on what these are based.
Therefore, currently we can not recommend an oil for the differential or the transmission."

I've been using Liqui Moly Synthoil Premium SAE 5W-40 in my E30 & E36 with multiple lab tests done at Blackstone Labs, and plan to test the 124 oil as well, after my first oil change at around 1,500 miles. Of course, I'll share the results with you, if there is interest, although I have no idea what oil the car came with.
 

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#43 ·
A 6-pack of quart bottles of Penzoil 5W-40 has jumped nearly 50% in price on Amazon to $72.43. Walmart has the 6-pack listed at roughly the same price, but you can order 6 individual quart bottles for $48 :confused:

Might need to look in to some alternatives.
 
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Discussion starter · #44 ·
68wooley said:
A 6-pack of quart bottles of Penzoil 5W-40 has jumped nearly 50% in price on Amazon to $72.43. Walmart has the 6-pack listed at roughly the same price, but you can order 6 individual quart bottles for $48 :confused:

Might need to look in to some alternatives.
Click to expand...
I can beat that price (per quart) on a case of 12 quarts of AMSOIL European Formula 5W-40 shipped, BY A LOT.
 
#45 ·
I would never again use Penzoil in any of my cars. I did oil analysis of the "factory fill" Penzoil and it showed viscosity drop outside of the 5W-40 spec range after only ~2700 miles. I'm using only german oils, namely Liqui Moli 5w-40 Leichtlauf.
 
#47 ·
Rumen said:
I would never again use Penzoil in any of my cars. I did oil analysis of the "factory fill" Penzoil and it showed viscosity drop outside of the 5W-40 spec range after only ~2700 miles. I'm using only german oils, namely Liqui Moli 5w-40 Leichtlauf.
Click to expand...
Hey, I’m in Fremont, too.

This engine has a high degree of fuel dilution, which is probably what is affecting the viscosity.
 
#48 ·
XR, thank you for all your work here on the forum. It is greatly appreciated by all.

It's good to find the Pennzoil being available at multiple retailers now. Right beside it at the Advance Auto was the Castrol Edge. Same price. After looking on the Castrol website I found they recommend yet another "formula" of oil. The Edge Turbo Diesel. Sometimes I wonder how much Castrol invests in marketing vs R&D. Seems to be a new flavor with a fancy new name comes out very often.
 
#49 · (Edited)
68wooley said:
A 6-pack of quart bottles of Penzoil 5W-40 has jumped nearly 50% in price on Amazon to $72.43. Walmart has the 6-pack listed at roughly the same price, but you can order 6 individual quart bottles for $48 :confused:

Might need to look in to some alternatives.
Click to expand...
I got mine for $44.70 for a 6-pack a couple of weeks ago.

https://www.amazon.com/Pennzoil-550040834-6PK-Platinum-5W-40-Synthetic/dp/B00JMCCBRW

I buy two 6-packs and 3 (mopar) filters. I think that’s the same price I ordered at last year.

It’d be interesting to see if different people see the same of different prices. I’ve seen that when I’ve been in different locations in the us: different prices for the same item.
 
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Discussion starter · #50 ·
56S said:
XR, thank you for all your work here on the forum. It is greatly appreciated by all.

It's good to find the Pennzoil being available at multiple retailers now. Right beside it at the Advance Auto was the Castrol Edge. Same price. After looking on the Castrol website I found they recommend yet another "formula" of oil. The Edge Turbo Diesel. Sometimes I wonder how much Castrol invests in marketing vs R&D. Seems to be a new flavor with a fancy new name comes out very often.
Click to expand...
The majors generally will spend a great deal on marketing since their products aren't all that much different. Shell managed to make a more purified product (fewer contaminants), resulting in better VI with their GTL "pure plus" group 3 oil. It's still a group 3 just like what Mobil 1, Castrol, Valvoline, and others sell. The majors are never concerned with making the best of anything no matter how much their marketing team tries to tell you otherwise; they are concerned with riding that fine line between meeting a minimum required specification by an OEM, and keeping costs low. At the end of the day, they have to make a profit while coming in at the price point charged by other competing majors. There is no benefit to them to produce a product that far exceeds the minimum performance specifications.

The only time you'll get notably better performance is by going with the smaller, higher end companies that focus on making a better product, not a "good enough," "bare minimum" product.
 
#52 ·
i clicked the link...$48.23 without the 3 dollar coupon applied.

aloha mike
 
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#54 ·
I just did an oil change at the dealer $100 plus 14 tx 114.00 can, Normally FCA gives me a coupon of $25. rebate so that would be 100 - 25 = $75 plus taxes that would be 85.00 can. and they would do the tire rotation.
at the same time I asked the parts dept for 4 liter of oil and filter. Oil is 16.xx per liter and 13.xx for the filter. that would be $77. parts plus taxes would be $87. parts only. So cheaper to let them do it. Also living in a condo I don't have the facilities to do my oil change or use the extraction.
 
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#55 ·
frankmar said:
I just did an oil change at the dealer $100 plus 14 tx 114.00 can, Normally FCA gives me a coupon of $25. rebate so that would be 100 - 25 = $75 plus taxes that would be 85.00 can. and they would do the tire rotation.
at the same time I asked the parts dept for 4 liter of oil and filter. Oil is 16.xx per liter and 13.xx for the filter. that would be $77. parts plus taxes would be $87. parts only. So cheaper to let them do it. Also living in a condo I don't have the facilities to do my oil change or use the extraction.
Click to expand...
Can you do it much cheaper yourself.....
 
#56 ·
SJWhiteley said:
I got mine for $44.70 for a 6-pack a couple of weeks ago.

Amazon.com: Pennzoil Platinum Euro Full Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil (1-Quart, Case of 6): Automotive

I buy two 6-packs and 3 (mopar) filters. I think that’s the same price I ordered at last year.

It’d be interesting to see if different people see the same of different prices. I’ve seen that when I’ve been in different locations in the us: different prices for the same item.
Click to expand...
Does the Spider take 4 or 5 quarts???
 
#57 ·
3.8 litres from empty
 
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#59 ·
Ha! We are really mixed up over here...

Speeds in mph, small measurements in mm, furniture and rooms in feet, fuel in litres and power in good old bhp.

Dont think we have quite settled on torque...mixture of nm and lbft often used.
 
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#60 ·
boddle88 said:
Ha! We are really mixed up over here...

Speeds in mph, small measurements in mm, furniture and rooms in feet, fuel in litres and power in good old bhp.

Dont think we have quite settled on torque...mixture of nm and lbft often used.
Click to expand...
And don't forget some dumb ass put your steering wheel on the wrong side of the car.
 
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