Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 or Mobil1 ESP Formula M 5w-40?

I know this has been done, but I am asking in reference to a specific car. My 2004 TDI Beetle is out of warranty, so the warranty is no longer an issue. I would like this PD to last 250,000+ miles. Would YOU use:
Mobil1 ESP 5w-30 or
Mobil1 ESP Formula M 5w-40

If this were YOUR car and you wanted the best and wanted it to last a VERY long time. PLEASE, no other oils (Amsoil, etc) . . . just a choice if these were the ONLY TWO oils in the world. Thanks.

why not consider TDT?

I'd use a 5w40 oil if I were you!

I have to admit that I had never heard of Mobil1 TDT 5w-40. Have now spent several hours reading threads here and it does look good for my car. I have pretty much used the 505.01 oils since new (under warranty), but they honestly do not seem to hold up that well against any of the applicable Mobil1 oils. Still wondering how it is better than say Mobil1 ESP Formula M 5w-40; could not find any direct comparisons between those two yet.

spyderhead said:

I have to admit that I had never heard of Mobil1 TDT 5w-40. Have now spent several hours reading threads here and it does look good for my car. I have pretty much used the 505.01 oils since new (under warranty), but they honestly do not seem to hold up that well against any of the applicable Mobil1 oils. Still wondering how it is better than say Mobil1 ESP Formula M 5w-40; could not find any direct comparisons between those two yet.

Click to expand...

Here it's.

Specifications and Approvals

Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 has the following builder approvals:

Daimler Chrysler MB 229.51

Typical Properties

Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40

SAE Grade 5W-40Viscosity ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40ºC 81.1
cSt @ 100ºC 13.35
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 167
Sulphated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 0.63
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, ASTM D46833 8
MRV @ -35 C , cP (ASTM D4684) 28,200
Total Base Number , mg KOH/g ( ASTM D2896) 8
Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 -39
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 236
Density @ 15ºC, kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.85


Specifications and Approvals

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck Meets or Exceeds the following industry and builder specifications:

5W-40
API CJ-4, CI-4 PLUS/CI-4/CH-4/CG-4/ SM/SL/SJ X
ACEA E7/E5/ X
Caterpillar ECF-2,ECF-3 X

Typical Properties

Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40

SAE Grade 5W-40Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40ºC100.4
cSt @ 100ºC 14.9
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 155
Phosporous 0.12
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC ASTM D 4683 3.9
Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 1.0
Total Base #, mg KOH/g, ASTM D 2896 10.7
MRV @ -35 º c25400
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 235
Density @ 15ºC kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.85

If it was my car I would use the M1 ESP FM 5W-40 since I don't want to clog up the EGR, Cat etc.

5w-40 FTW

It's hard to tell much from those spec sheets....However, the Mobil 1/TDT (or Delvac 1/ESP), has higher levels of anti-wear & detergent/dispersant additives, compared to a light duty diesel oil. Both these oils are compatible with the emissions systems used on modern diesels, except I wouldn't use them with the latest DPF equipped TDI's, since they don't meet the VW 507.00 spec.

Have you bothered testing the oil you've been using to see how the engine is holding up? I'd do that before deciding to switch oils for no reason....

TS

Mobil1 TDT 5w-40

Well, I changed it this morning to the TDT. After reading several hours on oils and listening to the people here and seeing your suggestions, the Mobil1 TDT 5w-40 won out. Hope I haven't screwed up, but it's out of warranty anyway.
Thanks to those of you who responded to this thread and, as always, thanks to TDIClub for having such a helpful site.

Relax, you made a good choice. TDT is a great oil to run in your PD. You are your own warranty now anyway, and let's face it: the VW spec is more to protect emissions devices than the internal engine parts anyway. Nothing wrong with VW specs, now, don't misunderstand. Just that TDT protects the engine internals better than probably any VW spec and is only $7/qt. In my book, that's a win-win. Drive more, worry less.