Recommend me some oil

dag019 · 2025-09-05T10:13:03+0100

I have a 200tdi and have been using 15w40 semi-synth in it. This is because I was been lucky enough to get one and half 205litre barrels of it from an old employer when they upgraded their trucks and it was no longer suitable. This has now run out and I will need to buy oil for the first time in along time.

I am aware of the risk of starting a debate on which specific grade to use but I am more interested in recommendations of brands and places to buy as I am about 10 years out of touch. I will be looking to buy in 20/25litre quantities as a full barrel is overkill but I know buying smaller quantities makes it more expensive, I do between 3-4 oil changes a year with my mileage so the larger quantity quickly gets used.

I am usually happy to just buy on price from the like of ebay etc, but always worth the ask on here. What do people use in theirs and where do you buy it from.

Propman · 2025-09-05T11:05:45+0100

I personal use Castrol GTX in my 300tdi, which I purchase in bulk from Halfrauds.
The trade card provides a decent enough discount to warrant the purchase.

scott3933 · 2025-09-05T11:13:57+0100

I'm quite happy running Smith & Allan's Ultra 15W40 in my 2.5 petrol... but its a mineral oil. They have a full synthetic but not too sure if they do a semi too.

lynall · 2025-09-05T12:34:11+0100

Mannol range on ebay 20/25 ltr barrels at sensible prices.
I would be using cheapest Mannol 15/40 you can get.

LG199714 · 2025-09-05T14:15:00+0100

grade is dependent on temperature x what the manual saids, will be different for all.

Castrol is LR official supplier. I use fully synthetic 5w40 for my td5.

I think you should upgrade to a full synthetic and stick with Castrol.

I would also check the ACEA spec for when your truck first came out and see the updated or equivalent and base an opinion there.

For example, some oils are designed to work with after-treatment emission systems but some people delete the exhaust so therefore you explore perhaps for a stronger oil

meego · 2025-09-05T15:10:19+0100

LG199714 said:
grade is dependent on temperature x what the manual saids, will be different for all.

Castrol is LR official supplier. I use fully synthetic 5w40 for my td5.

I think you should upgrade to a full synthetic and stick with Castrol.

I would also check the ACEA spec for when your truck first came out and see the updated or equivalent and base an opinion there.

For example, some oils are designed to work with after-treatment emission systems but some people delete the exhaust so therefore you explore perhaps for a stronger oil

Why recommend fully synthetic for a 200tdi ?? Especially one where the oil is changed 3 or 4 times a year !!

miktdish · 2025-09-05T15:37:22+0100

Where are you from @LG199714 ?
Are you American ?

V8bob · 2025-09-05T17:12:28+0100

I have been using the Comma mineral stuff from Opie Oils.
It is cheaper to buy the 4x5 litre than the 20 litre drum?

And… you can often get a discount, from a forum or discount weekend or special offer.

Def90man · 2025-09-05T17:16:33+0100

I’ve been using 15/40 suto in 205L barrels for 20+ years and just do regular changes. Usually been Claas oils but the current barrel is Morris oils

tottot · 2025-09-05T18:10:15+0100

My go to oil has been Fuchs Titan Truck 15 40, not bought any for a while but think now about £80 for 20lt.

LG199714 · 2025-09-05T18:25:29+0100

meego said:
Why recommend fully synthetic for a 200tdi ?? Especially one where the oil is changed 3 or 4 times a year !!

I would recommend a full synthetic for any vehicle. Why the hell would you put anything but full synthetic in 2025,

"Especially one where the oil is changed 3 or 4 times a year" this line would make me believe for you that frequency plays a factor in cost which plays a factor in selection of quality of oil??? If this is true, i don't discount my truck.

meego · 2025-09-05T18:31:40+0100

LG199714 said:
I would recommend a full synthetic for any vehicle. Why the hell would you put anything but full synthetic in 2025,

"Especially one where the oil is changed 3 or 4 times a year" this line would make me believe for you that frequency plays a factor in cost which plays a factor in selection of quality of oil??? If this is true, i don't discount my truck.

Simply because 200/300tdi don’t need it. They were designed to run with mineral oil, so semi synthetic is a step up anyway. Why anyone would spend/waste more money on fully synthetic beats me

LG199714 · 2025-09-05T18:51:32+0100

meego said:
Simply because 200/300tdi don’t need it. They were designed to run with mineral oil, so semi synthetic is a step up anyway. Why anyone would spend/waste more money on fully synthetic beats me

How is it a waste of money

, I just provided a video from valvoline the first oil company ever that proves fully synthetic is better for your truck than conventional having 7 cold rings and synthetic having 1 + far less varnish meaning the cleaning additives are far superior. Also the molecules within the oil are far more uniformed and less likely to breaking down meaning longer intervals if needed but i stick with 5,000km.

"Simply because 200/300tdi don’t need it" - correct me if I am wrong but is that because of cost?
I really like the facts and try my best to do my research, clearly. when you said "dont need it" you need to back that up with something.

kermit_rr · 2025-09-05T18:56:49+0100

You can buy 20-25L tubs on ebay of most flavours

lynall · 2025-09-05T19:17:10+0100

V8bob said:
I have been using the Comma mineral stuff from Opie Oils.
It is cheaper to buy the 4x5 litre than the 20 litre drum?

And… you can often get a discount, from a forum or discount weekend or special offer.

I would be careful with comma oils, have heard stories over the years.

lynall · 2025-09-05T19:23:19+0100

LG199714 said:
How is it a waste of money , I just provided a video from valvoline the first oil company ever that proves fully synthetic is better for your truck than conventional having 7 cold rings and synthetic having 1 + far less varnish meaning the cleaning additives are far superior. Also the molecules within the oil are far more uniformed and less likely to breaking down meaning longer intervals if needed but i stick with 5,000km.

"Simply because 200/300tdi don’t need it" - correct me if I am wrong but is that because of cost?
I really like the facts and try my best to do my research, clearly. when you said "dont need it" you need to back that up with something.

I can tell you a couple of stories, one of which related to a 300tdi that I owned for a few years.
Syn oil started to become a thing so like all LR saddos I thought that must be a good idea, the thing drunk oil like a fish, back to good old mineral and the oil consumption stopped.

Another was a haulage firm (trucking to you) that I worked for, again syn oil came on the scene promising to save fuel/last longer etc etc, we lost a few engines over that I can tell you.

So when I see anybody say syn oil is a good idea for the 200/300tdis I always have a smile to myself.

Chalky. · 2025-09-05T19:26:50+0100

LG199714 said:
I would recommend a full synthetic for any vehicle. Why the hell would you put anything but full synthetic in 2025,

"Especially one where the oil is changed 3 or 4 times a year" this line would make me believe for you that frequency plays a factor in cost which plays a factor in selection of quality of oil??? If this is true, i don't discount my truck.

You'd recommend fully synthetic for what is essentially a refined tractor engine??

And of course the frequency of oil changes is a factor, 3 or 4 times a year and almost whatever oil you chuck in it won't do any harm, within reason. Regularity of oil and filter changes is what keeps an engine going for 1000's upon 1000's of k's.

lynall · 2025-09-05T19:30:20+0100

Chalky. said:
You'd recommend fully synthetic for what is essentially a refined tractor engine??

And of course the frequency of oil changes is a factor, 3 or 4 times a year and almost whatever oil you chuck in it won't do any harm, within reason. Regularity of oil and filter changes is what keeps an engine going for 1000's upon 1000's of k's.

My boss has some tractors twice the age of my 200, and I hate to say it but that sound way more refined!
Come to think of it the 3cyl kubota in the forktruck sounds more refined

LG199714 · 2025-09-05T19:31:58+0100

Interesting, but how did the engines fail because of synthetic oil?

So your claiming the oil didn’t lubricate properly therefore there was a malfunction somewhere possible the piston rings which resulted in oil getting into the combustion chamber and burning off???

either wrong viscosity was used, worn engine or someone didn’t hone the motor properly. It wasn’t because of synthetic oil lol. how did you prove this?

Chalky. · 2025-09-05T19:34:37+0100

LG199714 said:
Interesting, but how did the engines fail because of synthetic oil?

So your claiming the oil didn’t lubricate properly therefore there was a malfunction somewhere possible the piston rings which resulted in oil getting into the combustion chamber and burning off???

either wrong viscosity was used, worn engine or someone didn’t hone the motor properly. It wasn’t because of synthetic oil lol. how did you prove this?

Recommend me some oil

Well-Known Member

Sheikh Le Freak

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Guns n Chainsaws

Well-Known Member

Percy the Pedant

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Very

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads