jombl said:
That is easily the most damning thing I've read yet.
If the only thing standing between amsoil and VW505.01 approval is "a check for about 3000 Euro for final release" (and the actual cost is only €2680) then it's clear and obvious that amsoil cannot pass VW505.01 as even anyone here reading this board could write that check, let alone amsoil corporate.
Jombl,
You certainly have the right to your beliefs and opinions - but please at least agree that what you've posted are just those and nothing more. I'm not here to change your mind - but I certainly will raise the 'bs' flag when I think appropriate.
To both you and Frank,
This is a free-market world, for the most part. In this system, if a consumer feels there's added-value, they have the option of choosing to buy from that vendor. In the case of the 505.01 release - there is NO added value - the monies are paid to re-run tests that have already been run at least 3 times earlier in the process. OEM approvals elsewhere in the industry (look at Cummins CES for just one example) consist only of 'pay me, give me your test results, and we'll put you on our marketing list for a year'. Apparently, AMSOIL doesn't feel the need to be on the VW list. They have that right.
As a point on 'corporate integrity', please remember that prior to 1 Jan 06, AMSOIL had a 5W-40 European product - and they expressly FORBID its use in PD TDIs. This recommendation from the company remained until the VW requirements were known, the oil was reformulated, retested, and proven to at least exceed the requirements of 505.01 (remember that the company absolutely does not do 'ties' in any way - the products need to exceed, and exceed by a wide margin).
AMSOIL makes their position CRYSTAL clear on certification. They have certified/released/approved products - and they have those that are not. Since the company began, their 'minimum standard' has been '3-times longer, 3-times better' -- if they can't do that, they don't bottle it. Period.
There are many folks that need that paper - and they have the dealer's Castrol product and others to use in their engines. No trouble at all! But there are others that are looking for performance over the certificate - and they'll use what they want. They both have the right.
One last time for both of you - I've seen the documentation, done my own research, met with people at AMSOIL, and from Lubrizol, and spoken with people from VW and licensed labs and have come to my own conclusions. You don't have to like them, or believe them, or value them in any way. All I ask of you is that if you have something to add, you bring some facts.
Just in case my position needs a bit of clarification after all these threads - it's very clear and simple:
- Use synthetic - There's no excuse to ever use petroleum in a TDI
- Use API-only oil as a last resort - VW-specs come first, ACEA 2nd
Andy