Which oil brand?

[crankedup]

My Brother insists that Morris Oils are(IHO)a better oil than the Castrol XL30 I currently use in my vintage Austin. I don't really see a difference, what say you?

[skodaku]

Morris vs Castrol is really not a debate. Both are good suppliers. Until they were purchased by BP, Castrol, like Morris were just a "Blender". i.e. they didn't have access to their own base oils but had to buy them from the major refiners : Esso/Shell/Mobil/BP etc. Castrol used to purchase a lot of base oils from the world's biggest supplier. Morris are a well respected family company who produce some very good specality lubes that are just not economic for the big boys to worry about, (relatively low volumes). I really cannot support that one is better than the other. They both use base oils from the major refiners. They both buy additive packs from the major suppliers and just add one to the other to get whatever they are aiming at, (that's very siomplistic but you get the idea). It is entirely possible that for for two competitive oil Castrol and Morris are using the same base oils and add packs; without any collusion but just 'cos that's the way it is. However, engine oils are highly emotive fluids and a million tales are told about "this wrecked my engine, or this made starting easier etc". Most are based on nil evidence. Use an oil with the correct viscosity and performance attributes and choose your brand by whatever criteria is important to you. I have a personal preference for Esso or Mobil lubes but, there again, the Company does pay my pension. I have seen evidence that strongly suggests that the MOBIL 1 range is the most advanced of it's type in the world and I know the research behind it is superb, (and very costly). Watch out for the "weasel words" on the labels. Phrases like "Meets the requirements of................." generally mean it does but probably ain't formally certified as such, (again, the testing is expensive). Hope this helps.

[tr3a]

crankedup said:

My Brother insists that Morris Oils are(IHO)a better oil than the Castrol XL30 I currently use in my vintage Austin. I don't really see a difference, what say you?

That's a pretty academic debate, IMHO. Your car was made for the simplest monograde mineral oil. Almost anything you can buy today will have more longevity and much, much better lubricating qualities than the oil that was available when your car was designed. You probably change the oil more often than the standard interval Herbert A. prescribed, which makes the point even more moot.

If I were you, I'd use the oil I feel most comfortable with and just enjoy the car.

Eric

[crankedup]

Thanks guys, some interesting info there thats new to me. I should say that my discussion with my Bro' is very superficial, he favours Morris oil like I favour Castrol. But no matter what subject is raised here on P.H. someone always learns a little more