I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

OK here is the facts.

Got 2 quarters of CASTROL 0W30 SLX from the main dealer three weeks ago. You can see this from the photo.

After changing the oil for my new car, I noticed the car had a decrease in power delivery, VERY NOTICEABLE at medium to high revs (3500rpm and over).

This situation has been going on for three weeks and I got fed up and went and bought 6 liters of MOBIL1 0W40 LL01 and installed it.
Everything went back to normal! Car is responsive as it was before the CASTROL, powerful, and the engine is smoother in medium / high revs.

And I dont mean small difference! I mean maybe 20bhp or more.

What really worries me is that I travelled around 300km with this oil, and I am worried if I damaged my engine.

I am expecting BMW and the main dealer here in Cyprus www.bmw.com.cy to give me an answer on this one. I will forward my complain to them.

My car is as new condition and with only 27000km on it, I am expecting at least an answer for what is wrong with the oil they sold me.

1. What is this "CASTROL SLX 0W30"?

2. Why did it cause this effect of power reduction to my car?

3. How did it end up at the main dealer's shelf?

4. Why I was recomended this oil for my car?

5. Where exactly is the "MANUFACTURED in the EU" that is written on the can of this CASTROL oil?

Reply » I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

I found this CRAP!

Castrol Austria > products & services > for it... > passenger car & Vans > engine oils > Castrol SLX LL04
Castrol SLX LongLife III

Castrol SLX LL04

Castrol SLX c1

Castrol SLX r-Tec

Castrol SLX LongLife II 0W-30

Castrol Formula SLX LongTec

Castrol 505 01

Castrol TXT Softec plus

Castrol CVX plus

Castrol GTX power Tec7 Way Protection

Formula R-S Racing Syntec

CASTROL SLX LL04

Clean performance

The introduction of the euro iv-standard for newly certified PKW's entails a further lowering of the Emisionsgrenzwerte. Apart from the gaseous emissions with the diesel engine as particularly critically regarded soot particles were also lowered further clearly. In order to fulfill and the emissions of harmful particles further reduce these limit values, BMW equips its vehicles with Diesel particle filters (DPF's).

Each 4-Takt engine burns construction dependently engine oil. This characteristic required the development of an engine lubricant, which few ash screen end substances (sulfatasche -, phosphorus and sulfur = Low SAPS) in the additive package exhibits.

Castrol SLX LL04 in Clean performance technology extends the life span of the Diesel particle filter by reduction of this ash-forming particles in the exhaust gas.

Characteristics and advantages
High metal contents in the additive package can block and thus to the loss of the system lead at longer term the particle filter. The new additive technology in Castrol SLX LL04 is reduced in the metal content clearly and secures so a long life span of the filter system.
Castrol SLX LL04 is aligned particularly to keep engine and exhaust subsequent treatment system clean to reduce and the delivery of harmful emissions into the environment.

Castrol SLX LL04 is without reservation approved by BMW (exception: BMW m series: Castrol TWS engine haven SAE 10W-60)

Fulfills the newest requirements of BWM- petrol and diesel engines (also with particle filter), as well as the defaults the newest BMW Longlife-LL04 specification. SLX LL04 is based on a new Low SAPS (sulfatasche, phosphorus and sulfur) technology.

Releases and technical specifications
BMW Longlife04 (backwards compatible BMW LL01)
ACEA A3/B3/B4/C3

A fast Durchoelen of the engine secures and makes the proven SAE 0W-30 light run viscosity after the cold weather starting additional fuel saving potential possible.

Reply » I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

Honestly not sure you should be pissed at the dealer. They didn't make the oil. Sure they sold it to you, but if it meets all the requirements to be used in a BMW I don't see how they owe you an explenation. Be mad at Castrol, not the dealer.

Reply » I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

*******>*******>********>********>

"" NEW REVOLUTIONARY OIL""

Castrol Introduces a New Revolutionary Oil for the BMW Group
Text courtesy BP Lubricants
edited 12-07-2004

‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM’

Castrol, strategic partner of BMW, have developed a new lubricant with `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` in close cooperation with BMW, which sets new standards in the industry. Castrol SLX LL04 0W-30 is specially engineered to keep the engine and exhaust system clean, reducing harmful emissions to the environment. SLX LL04 is developed for the new generation of BMW’s with particulate filters and meets the latest specifications BMW Longlife-04. Due to its `Clean Performance TechnologyTM`, SLX LL04 reduces long term blocking of the particle filters and can be used in all BMW diesel and petrol engines (excluding M series). Castrol is the first lubricant manufacturer to bring a `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` oil onto the market.

BMW have started fitting diesel particulate filters (DPF’s) to their cars. Initially the BMW 5 series will be offered with a DPF, other models such as the new 3 series will follow. These new diesel engines fitted with a DPF need an engine oil based on new lubricant technology. Together with the engine management system the DPF ensures long-term reduction of particle emissions. In order to prolong the durability of the DPF the so called ‘Low SAPS’ oils are required. Castrol’s `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` is a totally new ‘Low SAPS’ formulation containing lower levels of Sulphated Ash, Phosphorous and Sulphur compared with conventional oils.

Castrol’s ‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM‘ is specially engineered to keep the engine and exhaust system clean, reducing harmful emissions to the environment. High levels of metal-based additives in engine oil can contribute to long term blocking of exhaust filters and increased harmful emissions. ‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM’, from Castrol, uses low levels of these metal-based additives to prolong the life of the exhaust system. By keeping exhaust systems clear, Castrol’s ‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM’ provides superior power flow through the engine, maintaining vehicle performance and fuel economy.

With Castrol’s revolutionary `Clean Performance TechnologyTM`, new Castrol SLX LL04 meets the requirements of the future generation of both diesel and petrol engines of the BMW Group.

Key features and benefits of Castrol SLX LL04 0W-30:

Features:

New ‘Clean Performance TechnologyTM’
Special Fully Synthetic 0W-30 Low SAPS formulation
Compatible with Diesel Particulate Filters
Long drain capability
Approved to BMW Longlife-04 (including Longlife-01)

Benefits:

Cleaner environment (reduced emissions of harmful particulates from the exhaust)
Helps keep exhaust system clean
Maintains engine performance and fuel economy
Prolongs durability of the exhaust system
Fast cold start properties through 0W viscosity

Castrol SLX LL04 is the first engine oil, which fulfills the new BMW Longlife-04 specification. With the `Clean Performance TechnologyTM` it has a wide range of applications from the latest diesels fitted with DPF filters to new and existing petrol engine technology. The new product offers profitable opportunities for the BMW network. Castrol will support the dealers with tailor made marketing and communication concepts to exploit this new opportunity.

Reply » I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

I really can't see how this oil choice affected your performance noticeably. Is there an oil-pressure-driven system (like Honda's VTEC) in your engine? Isn't VANOS mechanical? In oil-driven systems various sensors (temperature, pressure) can hold back system performance (e.g. not engage VTEC) is something is not kosher with the oil.

Reply » I am expecting a very serious answer from the main dealer for this one...

Quote:

Well, I cant seem to understand as well.

ONly thing that makes sense is that it is a really really crap oil. It looked as if it was dirty water when the guy took it out of the engine...it was that bad.

ON the other hand, now that I have the MOBIL1 LL01 0W40 in the engine, I thing I get some weird smell coming out from the exhaust... wonder if this crappy CASTROL oil did some damage to my engine...

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