Alfa Romeo Spider V6 2001- Engine OIL

[JAM87]

Thanks guys,

In your opinion if the vehicle is a 2001 alfa Romeo spider v6 having missed its 20,000km service what price tag would you put on the vehicle?

Been service on average every 2-3 years since 2006
Needs Cambelt as that hasn't been done and major service
And Alfa specialist suggest the wrong oil ( not Selenia oil) has been used in most recent service
Minor panel damage at cost of around $500

[wankski]

it's impossible to say as i haven't seen it, but assuming it's otherwise a nice example and pulls strongly, and is MANUFACTURE year 2001, (ph2, that is 6sp gearbox) this is a good guide:

http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/research/used/details?R=48480&Silo=Spec&Vertical=Car&Ridx=0&eapi=2

assuming it's at the lower mileage scale, and given it has panel work needed, and cambelt, and shoddy history... max 10k IMO, not a cent more. Walk away if higher...

but the above is just my upper limit for a nice example in that MY. It sounds rough, so i have no idea if i would be inclined to even spend 6-7k on it.. it's not hard to pick up rough but RWC 2.0 spiders 98/99 MY for $6k or less.

that's the market reality.

10k would have to be an otherwise solid example, nice interior, overall decent enough paint, pulls strongly and cleanly no smoke, sound roof and motor operation, RWC with decent tyres, no suspension play or noises, brakes in good condition...

this all needs to be checked, as the cost of rectifying the above can mount up real quick!

[JAM87]

Wankski,

I think your assumption is truly spot on- thats exactly the figure i had in my head.

Appreciate your help

[agent86]

I have a 1998 v6 GTV with 72000 km. I have used Castrol Edge 10 W 60 oil as it is the same as the Selenia grade with no problems. Castrol is a well respected brand and fits well with the V6 engine. Due to the low mileage of my car I have it changed every 12 months and have owned the car for four years. The oil costs about $70.00 for four litres but you will need close to six litres for an oil change so so you need to buy two every secong change. I just take it along to my mechanic and he does the rest.
Cheers Agent 86

[colcol]

An engine builder told me years ago, before i purchased my 156, what a great oil Castrol 10-60 edge is, but i don't know enough about oils, so all i can do is change it regulary and check the level once a week, i use Mobil 5-50 or Castrol 10-60 depending on winter or summer, i think all this, if you don't use our oil Selena, then your engine is worn out is a load of rubbish, but you can't blame them for trying, go to a Holden dealer and they use Mobil, just like the sponsors of the Holden racing team, go to a Ford dealer and they push Castrol, because thats who sponsors FPR, so all the car manufacturers try it on, Colin.

[JAM87]

Gents,

I had a look on the castrol website and the edge 10w 60 seems like a good oil.

[wankski]

castrol is ok - but just a group III oil in the API classification... basically a furtehr refined mineral oil cf "semi synth"

its good, i used to to good effect on a car i don't much care about...

my only problem with it is locally its a complete rip for what it is... supercrap sells it now for about $70-80 tho they do have 20% off sales...

for that money go to www.performanceLUB.com - you can get a group IV fully man made PAO based oil for similar coin. Vastly superior. Group V ester based is better again, but more coiln (similar to Group III Selenia! @ $23/l)

all you want to ever know about oil:
http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles

for application to alfas and a discussion of what is avail here:
http://www.ausalfa.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4278&start=60

HTHs

[colcol]

Supercrap have Castrol Edge for $81, last Saturday,and their 20% off sometimes is a bit suss, wait till Repco has it for $60, i just like to be able to buy oil by walking into Repco and not stuff around ordering it, and remember to change the oil filter every second oil change, and smile in delight, when you unscrew it and screw on a new one, a genuine one from the UK, Colin.

[John Hanslow]

Castrol edge sport (fully synth) 10w-60 for a v6 then ...

and the entertainment guide has vouchers for Autobarn doesn't it ?

[wankski]

all v6s, the 2.5 and 3.0 are specc'd for 10w-40...

it is only the 3.2s that are factory specc'd w/ 10w-60.

[John Hanslow]

Thanks for the clarification  Mr W.

[agent86]

Sorry to disagree Wanski but my 1998 3.0L GTV states 10w60 oil. And ColCol why on earth would you put clean oil thru a dirty filter. Change it every service!
Cheers
Agent 86

[colcol]

I change the filter on my JTS every second oil change, that is once per year or say 15,000 ks, use whatever oil viscosity your owners manual says to use, as they should know better than us, and use the oil from your favourite oil company, Colin.

[JAM87]

Guys,

What are your thoughts on 10 w 55 semi synthetic oil for a 2001 v6 spider??

[colcol]

Use the correct oil spec, that is 10-60 FULLY synthetic, look at the fine print on the bottle of oil semi synthetic it could be as low as 10% synthetic - 90% mineral, Colin.