Howdy all,
Changed my oil at the last change from Valvoline Syn power:happy:
https://www.autobarn.com.au/valvoline-engine-oil-synpower-dx1-syn-5w30-5l
to penrite hpr 10..:confused:
And im not impressed with the change. the penrite smells burned, and the engine has consumed oil for the first time during my ownership of it.
Im thinking of going to Shell HX8 next change.:think:
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Shell-Helix-HX8-Engine-Oil-5W-30-5-Litre.aspx?pid=373035&menuFrom=1021652#Recommendations

Has anyone had any bad experiences with this stuff?:nuts:

In my opinion Penrite is overrated. On top of that it is not even competitively priced.

I use Shell Helix Ultra in my car and the engine runs really well on it. Quiet, no oil consumption (though I changed my valve stem seals), smooth.
I bought the last 5L jug for $49 from Repco I believe on special.

Shell overall make great oils.

ok, not a magna owner no more, but long time (amc service) :P I changed my oil in my 97 bmw to hpr 5 full syn and the car ran so bad, I had oil consumption. yet it wasn't blowing smoke, the oil was going somewhere, and no oil leaks. left it in for a month, had to add another 2 litres to the sump, by this time I figured it was time to get rid of the stuff and went to nulon full syn 5-30, and all my symptoms went away. ive always used nulon, and now always will, and another good benefit to me using nulon is because they now bring out the 6l bottles, since my sump is 6.5l :)

Why did you change from Synpower? I ran it in the Golden Nugget & Kif still does, now run it in the Lexus, good stuff i reckon.

I am a bit wary using Nulon, purely on the basis that from what I understand, they buy a base oil (which I am not sure if the info as to what base oil this is is out there) and add the additive package to it.
Whether this is good or bad I am not sure, but when using oil for my car I would want to use undeniably good oil especially when at most it is $10 more.

The SynPower should be fairly decent.

The HX8 will most certainly be a great oil though, and I would not hesitate to use it. The only reason I go the Shell Helix Ultra is that is more or less the same price, and has stronger cleansing properties which I want at 205,000km.
It is also factory fill for Ferrari, so if it is good enough for Ferrari...

I am a bit wary using Nulon, purely on the basis that from what I understand, they buy a base oil (which I am not sure if the info as to what base oil this is is out there) and add the additive package to it.
Whether this is good or bad I am not sure, but when using oil for my car I would want to use undeniably good oil especially when at most it is $10 more.


All the smaller brands do this, Penrite included. AFAIK the only companies who make there own oil are the major oil companies such as Shell, Mobil, Caltex, BP/Castrol etc. All the others buy a base oil, viscosity improver and additive package, blend it together and bottle it up.

Do you know if it is advertised as to what the base oil is?

At any rate, I think the HX8 is a perfect oil for these cars, from a highly reputable oil manufacturer, and at $48 it is about as cheap as a fully synthetic gets. No brainer really.

Why did you change from Synpower? I ran it in the Golden Nugget & Kif still does, now run it in the Lexus, good stuff i reckon.

Got tired of being skimmed $80 by mechanic to purchase it....thought I would do the supacreep or autoblurm thing and BYO to the mechanic.....saw all the good reviews here about penrite.

Thanks to all for your input. Ill let you know how it goes.

mobile 1 ext performance advanced full syn and Castrol syntac. 1 other you may want to look in to is Amsoil. but personally there is too much obsession in to oils, I buy nulon because of the 6 litre bottles and not many companies do that now, still got a golden sheen under my rocker cover so cant be doing so bad :)