1.8T Oil issue -- cost

I saw this in another forum, and I found it useful in deciphering all the oil gibberish:

Volkswagen Group Oil Specifications and their Applications

VW 500.00 This is an ?old? oil specification and is applicable to engines built before model year 2000 (up to August 1999) Viscosity ratings: SAE 5w-40, 10w-40 or 20w-40 This oil can be used in all petrol and some diesel engines, apart from those referred to under other specifications.

VW 501.01 This is another ?old? oil specification with exactly the same application as VW 500.00. Viscosity ratings: SAE 10w-40, 15w-40 or 20w-40

VW 502.00 This oil can only be used in petrol engines and is recommended for those which are subject to arduous conditions. It must not be used for any engines with variable service intervals or any which are referred to under other specifications. Viscosity ratings: SAE 0w-40, 5w-40 or 10w-40

VW 503.00 This is a relatively new oil specification for petrol engines with variable service intervals. It includes the AUDI S4, but not the RS4, or the TT and S3 with outputs of more than 180bhp. Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

VW 503.01 A new oil specification specifically for the RS4, and the TT and S3 with outputs of more than 180bhp, Passat W8 and Phaeton W12. Viscosity rating: 0w-30

VW 505.00 For all diesel engines prior to model year 2000 (August 1999) Viscosity rating: 0w-40, 5w-40 or 10w-40

VW 505.01 For all diesel engines with unit injectors (Pumpe-Duse or PD) without variable service intervals. Viscosity rating: SAE 5w-40

VW 506.00 For all diesel engines except those with unit injectors, with variable service intervals. Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

VW 506.01 For all diesel engines, including those with unit injectors, with variable service intervals. Viscosity rating: SAE 0w-30

Interestingly, this is the oil specified for the RS6 - definitely not a diesel engine!

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I think you're overpaying. I get Motul VW 505.01 spec oil via mail order for $7.25 a quart, and that includes shipping.. Check out

to see. I'm surethere are others with similar prices out there, too.

What do Europeans use in VW TDI's? Is VW's 505.01 spec widely available from various manufacturers, or does VW specify something different in Europe where there are a lot more TDI's than in North America?

Wow, I am looking at an '05 Passat TDI and surprised to see this - The Automotive Oil Change Association has filed a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission accusing Volkswagen of prescribing its own brand of motor oil in violation of rules against tie-in sales provisions.

of course another way to keep the turbo from coking up on you is to let the turbo cool down after it has been spooled up. I forget which company makes these for japanese cars with turbos (mostly Mazdas), but you can get a turbo timer that keeps the engine running at idle for a programmable amount of time to help the turbo cool off so the oil wouldn't coke up.

when I worked as an assistant manager at an import car garage working on mazdas, this guy came in needing to replace the second turbo in his wife's car. we recommended a turbo timer, and we cleaned out the oil feed tube coming off the top of the turbo - all the heat from the turbo ran straight up the tube and cooked the oil in the tube - it was very clogged when we took it off.