Hello:
I've been using German/Belgium Castrol 0W-30 for years on both our BMWs, and more recently on our Passat VR6 (for it's first couple of OCIs).
As must of you know, 0W-30 no longer has BMW's LL-01 approval. As I understand it, it's because BMW LL-01 oils can no longer be 0W-xx. Doesn't matter. Even with the lack of a LL-01 approval, that won't stop me from using it. I think the "Euro" Castrol 0W-30 is good oil and I have several UOAs from two cars to prove it.
Anyway, I recently ordered two cases from Amazon. Although I've ordered it from Amazon before, for this order I wanted to make sure I didn't get counterfeit oil. That's why I did this VOA.
I'm certain the oil I got is the real thing, although the formula has changed since my last 0W-30 UOA/VOAs. The ones I tested in 2014 were the LL-01 versions. This latest 2020 is not. That said, this doesn't mean the LL-01 approved formula hadn't been changed since my earlier UOA/VOAs.
Where before the oil had the somewhat balanced Ca/Mg add pack, the new version has the high Ca/low Mg that seems to be in vogue now days. In fact, it looks a lot like the 0W-40 Castrol Passat VR6 UOA I just posted, just thicker.
And then TiGeo just posted a VOA of Castrol 5W-40. Same add pack combo.
What I see here is that Castrol's A3/B4 oils (0W-30, 0W-40, and 5W-40) have the same add packs now.
The first VOA is from Nov 2020. The other is from Nov 2014. This is not cause for alarm. It's just an FYI for "German Castrol" users.
Enjoy,
Scott
I've been using German/Belgium Castrol 0W-30 for years on both our BMWs, and more recently on our Passat VR6 (for it's first couple of OCIs).
As must of you know, 0W-30 no longer has BMW's LL-01 approval. As I understand it, it's because BMW LL-01 oils can no longer be 0W-xx. Doesn't matter. Even with the lack of a LL-01 approval, that won't stop me from using it. I think the "Euro" Castrol 0W-30 is good oil and I have several UOAs from two cars to prove it.
Anyway, I recently ordered two cases from Amazon. Although I've ordered it from Amazon before, for this order I wanted to make sure I didn't get counterfeit oil. That's why I did this VOA.
I'm certain the oil I got is the real thing, although the formula has changed since my last 0W-30 UOA/VOAs. The ones I tested in 2014 were the LL-01 versions. This latest 2020 is not. That said, this doesn't mean the LL-01 approved formula hadn't been changed since my earlier UOA/VOAs.
Where before the oil had the somewhat balanced Ca/Mg add pack, the new version has the high Ca/low Mg that seems to be in vogue now days. In fact, it looks a lot like the 0W-40 Castrol Passat VR6 UOA I just posted, just thicker.
UOA: Castrol 0W-40 5K OCI, 2016 VW Passat VR6 20K miles
Y'all: The subject line pretty much says it all. One thing I've noticed about this engine is how black the oil filter element is when I change it. I use Hengst filters. In my BMWs the Hengst filters come out of those cars looking tan. I've never seen an oil filter come out black like on the...
bobistheoilguy.com
And then TiGeo just posted a VOA of Castrol 5W-40. Same add pack combo.
Castrol Edge 5W40 VOA
Probably a few here but my point of doing this one is it's as close as I can get to the dealer bulk Castrol 5W40 VW uses (should be the same?) and I use this in my Atlas as the dealer has done the oil changes thus far and it's good to have a baseline.
bobistheoilguy.com
What I see here is that Castrol's A3/B4 oils (0W-30, 0W-40, and 5W-40) have the same add packs now.
The first VOA is from Nov 2020. The other is from Nov 2014. This is not cause for alarm. It's just an FYI for "German Castrol" users.
Enjoy,
Scott