Engine oil VALVOLINE or OEM BMW

[Valvoline SynPower](http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/synpower/full-synthetic-motor-oil/5) is what I have run since I purchased my 2012 Subaru Legacy.

Anyway, when I had my Passat 1.8T and sludge issues were the big fad, my oil of choice was Valvoline Synpower 5w40. It met 502 and was not a synthetic blend but rather a real synthetic.

Looks to be exact same procedure as on my e46. Perhaps the easiest oil change I've ever done. In fact, I've used the same brand and spec oil too, which is an BMW LL-01.

I use valvoline because it's common and it does the job. My auto mechanics instructor also recommended it because he said most of the engines he'd taken apart that had run valvoline looked pretty crud free.

Strictly anecdotal, but at 56,000 I switched from the usual suspect Castrol to Valvoline Synpower. Engine starts more smoothly and observed mileage on highway has gone from approx 30 to approx 34 mpg.

I use 20/50 Valvoline year round....

I was recently obsessed with oil in my 01 1.8T. I was at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com alot and determined that Valvoline Synpower 5w40 was the way to go based on oil analysis and availability. Castrol Syntec 5w40 appeared to degrade faster and the viscosity wasn't near as good as the Sypower after only 3k miles on it. IMHO Synpower outperforms Syntec in our motors based on actual facts and numbers from the oil analysis.

Based on extensive testing, BMW has approved only certain engine oils. Use only approved "BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil." If you are unable to obtain "BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil," you can add small amounts of synthetic oil in between oil changes.

I use only valvoline 10w60 in all turbo motors

Valvoline Synpower 5w 30 is on the approved list for VW usage, doesnt make it THE choice but whatever floats your boats I guess and in this case it looks like R P floats you the best