Stick with the synthetic. The tiny turbos on the TDI's are heavily stressed and mineral oils are just not up to the task of protecting the bearings in the turbo.
Pros: protecting the bearings
Cons: mineral oils not up to task
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amsoil here too, right now 5w30 going to switch to 0w30 soon, best stuff for the $$$
Pros: best stuff for the $$$
I'm going to reach 5K miles soon and bought Motul 0W-40 oil.
Mileage: 5000 km
did my first oil change 2 weeks ago, put Mobil1 0w-40 in... and I'm getting better gas mileage than I was on the factory oil
Pros: better gas mileage
Amsoil 10-30 my dad's an amsoil dealer
I used to run Mobil 1 5w30 and switched to GC. There was a nice difference, with only one side effect - the engine feels super sluggish when cold compared the Mobil 1. It runs great once warmed up though!
Pros: runs great warmed up
Cons: sluggish when cold
I've used Mobil1 (0w-40, 5w-30), Shell RotellaT (5w-40) and Castrol Syntec (5w-30) past 100k miles. Before 100k, it had whatever garbage the dealer put in. Engine still runs like a top with great fuel economy and no unusual oil consumption at 203k miles.
Pros: great fuel economy
Cons: no unusual oil consumption
Mileage: 203000 km
I'll continue to use my Mobil 1 0w-40 for another 4 years.
Amsoil VW Approved European 5w40 is a great oil! Amsoil has a gurantee and no one esle can challenge that they are any better in quality or protection. Their oil was designed for long drain intervals and have superior protection.
Pros: superior protection, long drain intervals
I had to top off once and used Castrol Syntec, which is about $3.50 where I live.
Vehicle:
Volkswagen Phaeton
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