Where to buy cheap Shell Helix oil? I'm in NY.

David your not paying attention
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38661

 

Good luck. I've never found an inexpensive source in CA, or really ANY source at all beyond the dealer. I would seriously consider using Mobil 1 0 - 30 based on Dr Haas' oil thread in this section.

Gary

 

i sell and use Lubri-Moly 5W-40 fully synthetic in all late models, at $9.50 per liter

 

Cheap and Shell Helix in the same sentance!?
Mobil 1 at Wal-Mart, BJ's clubs.....

 

Having spent many years in dealers requires me to occasionally step up to defend them as I will in this case. Ferrari REQUIRES them as a condition of their dealer contract to use that oil. Guess who they have to buy it from? And it is not sold at a competitive price. There is one reason and one reason only, just look at the side of the F1 car. Shell pays handsomly for that monoply. The dealers would love to be able to use something else, they would make more money buying Mobile One and using that, but they can't.

Don't blame the dealer, blame Ferrari.

 

I currently use shell helix in my 348 and have paid between $10-$12 a quart from a friend at a service dept.

The only reason that I am using it is because the last 2 oil changes were given at a huige discount and thats the oil they used.

I see or feel no difference between mobil one synthetic and the shell helix.

When it comes time for my next oil change I will be changing back to mobile one

 

Today I paid a flat fee of 60 EUR for an oil change in my Alfa (oil, filter, labour) with Helix 0W-40. Consumption was 6 liters. I´m going to pay the same amount for 11 liters when my Mondial receives fresh oil after the winter break. I found it so cheap that I didn´t bother to compare prices at other garages.

 

First of all, I’m not a Lubrication engineer, but have looked at the technical data sheets on the Mobil 1 and Helix products, there are small differences between the two products. Do these differences amount to less wear or more performance? Hard to know, I’m sure even an expert would be hard pressed to give you a straight answer, and probably boils down to who is paying the bills.

If you contact the Shell distribution center in your area, they will sell Helix oil to you just like they sell to the dealer, only catch; you must buy a 55 gallon drum. Approximate cost $800.00 to $900.00 dollars. If you have a relationship with your distribution sales guy, he probably will pour into 5 gal containers for you, no charge. So at $4.00 per quart, you have to decide if the additional $1.00 per quart over Mobil 1 alleviates the pain of not using the correct specified oil for your auto.

 

Why do you want it? Just buy a quality synthetic like Mobile1, Redline, Castro or other brand in the correct viscosity and be done with it. I use Mobile1 in my cars and have been well pleased. The brand name on the label means nothing .

 

When I was in Italy a month ago Shell Helix Ultra was equiv. to $15 per liter in one gas station. Therefore $15 in the US may be a reasonable price to pay.

Synthetic oils made by at least the following companies offer a 5W-40 oil:

Amsoil, Agip, Castrol, Pennzoil, Red Line, Shell, Valvoline.

A 0W-40 would however be a better choice.

aehaas

 

When I looked into Helix, a few years back, I got the distinct impression that there was something odd about motor oil and US trade regulations. Helix isn't listed on Shell's US site -- only on the international ones. When I asked the local Shell dealer about ordering it, he lost the ability to speak english. I'm told that the Agip you can buy in the US is made here, and isn't exactly the same as the Agip found in Europe.

When I ordered Redline gear oil, there were shipping restrictions on it (ground freight only). Is it just that there are too many restrictions on trans-atlantic shipping of motor oil? (Tariffs? Environmental restrictions?) Does motor oil have to be shipped in sealed containers with vapor recovery systems?

Does the Helix obtained by the dealers have to be smuggled across the border in the trunks of new 456s?