Time for me to ask some 550-related advice

I know there have been many discussions of oil here (so please don't ask me to do a search!). However, are there any 550 owners here who do not use the Shell Helix oil the manual--and the dealers--promote?

If so, what do you use, and how has it worked out?

Thanks.

 

Ali Haas has reinforced what I already believed about low base-weight oils/synthetics.
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14408

I have been using 0W-40 in my Maranellos and my Works Cooper, as well as my M-cars, with great results. I stretched my change interval on drivers to 5-6k miles based on analysis of used vs. new Mobil 1 0w-40.

I started using M1 years ago in my turbo cars, and was amazed when we'd pull 'em down...cylinder hone marks new, bearings new, spotless galleries, after running/tracking crap out of them. Switched from dino juice, never went back. M1 and Castrol are what I have used, and the thread I linked has hard data. As new cars have tighter and tighter tolerances, thinner base oils are crucial for cold start...more wear occurs then, than running WFO.

Switch, you won't spend 25/q again. AND your engine will be better protected.

FWIW
Lee

PS, sorry I missed everyone during Fiesta, it was an ugly call w/e. Pix were great.

 

Lee, thanks for the link. I pay $7.75 now at the dealer in S.A....but am looking to do more of my own oil changes.

Missed you at Fiesta Ferrari--sorry...

 

i had an oil change done on mine last year by an independent - who doesn't bother to stock the near-unobtanium shell silliness. they told me it was BS and spec'd helixe was excessive in most ways. they happily use the agip synthetic (sint?) and M1.

i too plan to start doing my own oil changes, and M1 has never let me down in any car i've owned.

doody