I'll just add a few thoughts based on experience. In summary, going with the factory specced oil is a great idea and you can't really go wrong with a name brand that meets those specs. Personally, I'll stick with synthetic from Mobil 1, Castrol, etc. For most modern cars, oil that meets the factory spec will be synthetic anyway. However, here's a few experiences I've had.
- I had a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT with the 2.5 turbo (similar to the STI engine). Initially, I went with the 7500 mile change interval listed in the owner's manual. At about 20K miles, the car threw an error code and it turned out to be the variable valve timing mechanism was clogged with oil sludge. I had been using synthetic oil but it still sludged up. Subaru said I should use the "severe duty" interval which is 3750 miles. According to Subaru, severe duty is either extreme cold, extreme heat, close proximity to the ocean or severe dust. Where I live has none of that so it seems that Subaru pushed their intervals too much for whatever reason.
- I currently drive a 2016 VW Golf R. The factory states a 10K mile interval. A friend owns a very good independent repair shop who specializes in high end German cars. His recommendation, based on seeing plenty of higher mileage cars, is to change the oil at 5000.
- (left field) I also have a 1986 Porsche 911 3.2. When I first got it, I used Mobil 1 15W-50 and repaired many oil leaks on the car. There were a few I couldn't quite get to without pulling the engine out. At a certain point, based on recommendations from the above friend and others, I changed to a different oil (Brad Pen 20W-50 partial synthetic). The remaining oil leaks were reduced by 90%.
My point here is that you should definitely start with the factory recommendations, and definitely don't veer from the oil spec on a new car. On the other hand, the change intervals they give might need more consideration.
- I had a 2005 Subaru Legacy GT with the 2.5 turbo (similar to the STI engine). Initially, I went with the 7500 mile change interval listed in the owner's manual. At about 20K miles, the car threw an error code and it turned out to be the variable valve timing mechanism was clogged with oil sludge. I had been using synthetic oil but it still sludged up. Subaru said I should use the "severe duty" interval which is 3750 miles. According to Subaru, severe duty is either extreme cold, extreme heat, close proximity to the ocean or severe dust. Where I live has none of that so it seems that Subaru pushed their intervals too much for whatever reason.
- I currently drive a 2016 VW Golf R. The factory states a 10K mile interval. A friend owns a very good independent repair shop who specializes in high end German cars. His recommendation, based on seeing plenty of higher mileage cars, is to change the oil at 5000.
- (left field) I also have a 1986 Porsche 911 3.2. When I first got it, I used Mobil 1 15W-50 and repaired many oil leaks on the car. There were a few I couldn't quite get to without pulling the engine out. At a certain point, based on recommendations from the above friend and others, I changed to a different oil (Brad Pen 20W-50 partial synthetic). The remaining oil leaks were reduced by 90%.
My point here is that you should definitely start with the factory recommendations, and definitely don't veer from the oil spec on a new car. On the other hand, the change intervals they give might need more consideration.
