Optimax DFI blend price hike - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Optimax DFI blend price hike

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Optimax DFI blend price hike

martyn1075 posted 05-08-2012 11:59 PM ET (US)
I was out buying some oil for my Optimax engines and I was told that Mercury has lifted the price of their current shipment this year for the Optimax blend DFI oil. The big jug 10L which I buy has always been around a bit over the $100 range but now it is going for retail $150.00 (cnd) and when I phoned our Boston Whaler dealer they wanted a whopping $178.00!
Really? Now, the big debate has been which oil to use because the Quicksilver Performance DFI was the same oil just different packaging, and it was always a bit cheaper which was nice little sang in the system to save a few dollars but still get the right oil. Not so fast Quicksilver has apparently matched their price to the Opti blend now. I guess not too surprised as many say come form the same manufacture.
However I did some research and West Marine offers on their website the genuine Quicksilver DFI silver package Performance for $100.00. This is not to be confused with the Blue packaging West Marine brand DFI by Starbrite. Perhaps this is their old stock and once they sell out the new price comes in affect. Not sure if this price has hit across the board quite yet, but if anyone is in need of oil for their Optimax then maybe might think about picking some up pretty soon.
Martyn
domlynch posted 05-09-2012 06:49 AM ET (US)
Martyn,
It seems to me the oil is a licence to print money.
I had a lot less grey hair when we could use TCW3 rated oils in carbied 2 strokes.
It would be interesting to have lab tests of proprietary or "brand" oils vs. generic TCW3 oils to see what the differences are (if any) - in terms of their capacity to lubricate or reduce friction at various temps, viscosity, their capacity to cool, how much they burn, how they stack up against emissions standards etc.
With an interest in science I would like to know what the differences really are. If they are "half a percent of nothing" different, in terms of operational use, that would be very interesting to me. I must admit I have not done any research on this - on this site or the net.
If for example a TCW 3 rated oil could be used with no issues in DFI 2 strokes eg Optimax or Etec or other, then we must be getting ripped off. (Of course here I have not included warranty issues...but the warranty period is ususally only a fraction of the life time of a well maintained and used outboard).
Imagine the savings if TCW3 could be used in OPti's or Etec etc. Even if you use the manufacturer's recommended oil during break in, and warranty period, and then switch to TCW3 for the rest of the motor's life.
Also my experience is it is generally much easier to buy TCW3 oil (can get it in K-mart etc) than say OPti. oil (for that I have to find a dealer).
Dom
domlynch posted 05-09-2012 06:52 AM ET (US)
Sorry for possible ambiguity/misinterpretation - here I was really referring to the days of old style carbied 2 strokes - not Opti or Etec etc as they are fuel injected.
"I had a lot less grey hair when we could use TCW3 rated oils in carbied 2 strokes."
Thanks,
Dom
bluewaterpirate posted 05-09-2012 08:19 AM ET (US)
My local dealer is selling 10L DFI Opti Blend for $95.99
Tom
martyn1075 posted 05-09-2012 11:20 AM ET (US)
Dom I think you are right ,oil is the root of all evil! but I would never pay our Boston Whaler dealer nearly twice as much. I found that to be completely out of line gouging. They initially told me $150 but then after checking with another staff member it was lifted to $180.00? I phoned three other dealers within distance and they were all the same at $150.00. After asking why they all said Mercury reps raised the price. I guess mark up ends up being the $150 retail range for this stuff at least here.
Like I said before this may not be a price hike all across North America just select areas and maybe only in Canada where we live but it was quite a shock to demand $50 extra for the same oil in less than one year ago when I picked it up last.
Its also no surprise West Marine picks up thousands of liters of this stuff so at the moment their price is steady what seems to be fair game for this particular oil that Mercury is strongly urging to use for their Optimax brand engine.
Martyn
Mambo Minnow posted 05-09-2012 04:29 PM ET (US)
My Opti is well out of warranty. I also no longer have a Mercury dealer close at hand that buys in bulk in 55 gallon drums to pass on the savings.
As much as I'd like to stick with the OEM brand, I may have to start buying the West Marine brand DFI I noticed last summer they began selling in their stores.
This just makes me want to repower with the four stroke even sooner.
martyn1075 posted 05-11-2012 06:47 PM ET (US)
Further research... proves West Marine "Canada" wants $195.00 10L jug! not 98.99 that was the US price. Doesn't that just make you sick?
Thats before taxation takes place.
I guess I should have just snapped at the offer for $180.00 at our Boston Whaler dealer.
Dick E posted 05-11-2012 07:36 PM ET (US)
While not Optimax oil, Mercury Quicksilver brand Premium PLUS is $19.99/ gallon at Academy Sports.A good buy.
martyn1075 posted 05-12-2012 12:29 AM ET (US)
It becomes more tempting to use this oil. I have read a few who have used it and say no problems BUT Mercury puts that scare into you to use the Opti or Quicksilver Performance oils. The injection process is a really important job for the Opti's and the synthetic lubrication is what I understand is crucial to use the blended oil with loads of additives for this engine. The carbon build up with other oil is quite noticeable even over short amount of time. The expensive oil apparently does not leave heavy carbon deposits. Their is also a higher heat process with Optimax engines that require a synthetic oil lubrication.
I don't mind paying more for it I just don't agree with twice as much for it. It feels like a we are being penalized for living across the border by a hour or so.
Martyn
Mambo Minnow posted 05-12-2012 07:49 AM ET (US)
Canadian dollar exchange rate is practically 1:1 with the US Dollar, so double the US price makes no sense.
When I was up in the Great White North in February I really noticed the VST/GST taxes on every receipt....seemed like 15-20% taxation. Very expensive to live there.
K Albus posted 05-12-2012 11:01 AM ET (US)
For the 10 years that I owned my Optimax 135, I religiously used the Mercury and Quick Silver DFI oil. In the beginning it was $19.99 per gallon. This was twice as much as other oils, but I only used a couple of gallons per year, so it wasn't a big deal. By the end, I was paying $85 for the 10 liter jug, which is about $34 per gallon. $195 for 2.5 lters is close to $80 per gallon. At that price, I think I would switch over to Mercury Premium Plus or a pure synthetic oil. I would also be sure to use the recommended dosage of Quickleen.
Mambo Minnow posted 05-12-2012 08:10 PM ET (US)
I have also heard good things about the Amsoil brand semi-synthetic. I might try that as well this summer when my Quicksilver DFI runs out.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Optimax DFI blend price hike
martyn1075	posted 05-08-2012 11:59 PM ET (US) I was out buying some oil for my Optimax engines and I was told that Mercury has lifted the price of their current shipment this year for the Optimax blend DFI oil. The big jug 10L which I buy has always been around a bit over the $100 range but now it is going for retail $150.00 (cnd) and when I phoned our Boston Whaler dealer they wanted a whopping $178.00! Really? Now, the big debate has been which oil to use because the Quicksilver Performance DFI was the same oil just different packaging, and it was always a bit cheaper which was nice little sang in the system to save a few dollars but still get the right oil. Not so fast Quicksilver has apparently matched their price to the Opti blend now. I guess not too surprised as many say come form the same manufacture. However I did some research and West Marine offers on their website the genuine Quicksilver DFI silver package Performance for $100.00. This is not to be confused with the Blue packaging West Marine brand DFI by Starbrite. Perhaps this is their old stock and once they sell out the new price comes in affect. Not sure if this price has hit across the board quite yet, but if anyone is in need of oil for their Optimax then maybe might think about picking some up pretty soon. Martyn
domlynch	posted 05-09-2012 06:49 AM ET (US) Martyn, It seems to me the oil is a licence to print money. I had a lot less grey hair when we could use TCW3 rated oils in carbied 2 strokes. It would be interesting to have lab tests of proprietary or "brand" oils vs. generic TCW3 oils to see what the differences are (if any) - in terms of their capacity to lubricate or reduce friction at various temps, viscosity, their capacity to cool, how much they burn, how they stack up against emissions standards etc. With an interest in science I would like to know what the differences really are. If they are "half a percent of nothing" different, in terms of operational use, that would be very interesting to me. I must admit I have not done any research on this - on this site or the net. If for example a TCW 3 rated oil could be used with no issues in DFI 2 strokes eg Optimax or Etec or other, then we must be getting ripped off. (Of course here I have not included warranty issues...but the warranty period is ususally only a fraction of the life time of a well maintained and used outboard). Imagine the savings if TCW3 could be used in OPti's or Etec etc. Even if you use the manufacturer's recommended oil during break in, and warranty period, and then switch to TCW3 for the rest of the motor's life. Also my experience is it is generally much easier to buy TCW3 oil (can get it in K-mart etc) than say OPti. oil (for that I have to find a dealer). Dom
domlynch	posted 05-09-2012 06:52 AM ET (US) Sorry for possible ambiguity/misinterpretation - here I was really referring to the days of old style carbied 2 strokes - not Opti or Etec etc as they are fuel injected. "I had a lot less grey hair when we could use TCW3 rated oils in carbied 2 strokes." Thanks, Dom
bluewaterpirate	posted 05-09-2012 08:19 AM ET (US) My local dealer is selling 10L DFI Opti Blend for $95.99 Tom
martyn1075	posted 05-09-2012 11:20 AM ET (US) Dom I think you are right ,oil is the root of all evil! but I would never pay our Boston Whaler dealer nearly twice as much. I found that to be completely out of line gouging. They initially told me $150 but then after checking with another staff member it was lifted to $180.00? I phoned three other dealers within distance and they were all the same at $150.00. After asking why they all said Mercury reps raised the price. I guess mark up ends up being the $150 retail range for this stuff at least here. Like I said before this may not be a price hike all across North America just select areas and maybe only in Canada where we live but it was quite a shock to demand $50 extra for the same oil in less than one year ago when I picked it up last. Its also no surprise West Marine picks up thousands of liters of this stuff so at the moment their price is steady what seems to be fair game for this particular oil that Mercury is strongly urging to use for their Optimax brand engine. Martyn
Mambo Minnow	posted 05-09-2012 04:29 PM ET (US) My Opti is well out of warranty. I also no longer have a Mercury dealer close at hand that buys in bulk in 55 gallon drums to pass on the savings. As much as I'd like to stick with the OEM brand, I may have to start buying the West Marine brand DFI I noticed last summer they began selling in their stores. This just makes me want to repower with the four stroke even sooner.
martyn1075	posted 05-11-2012 06:47 PM ET (US) Further research... proves West Marine "Canada" wants $195.00 10L jug! not 98.99 that was the US price. Doesn't that just make you sick? Thats before taxation takes place. I guess I should have just snapped at the offer for $180.00 at our Boston Whaler dealer.
Dick E	posted 05-11-2012 07:36 PM ET (US) While not Optimax oil, Mercury Quicksilver brand Premium PLUS is $19.99/ gallon at Academy Sports.A good buy.
martyn1075	posted 05-12-2012 12:29 AM ET (US) It becomes more tempting to use this oil. I have read a few who have used it and say no problems BUT Mercury puts that scare into you to use the Opti or Quicksilver Performance oils. The injection process is a really important job for the Opti's and the synthetic lubrication is what I understand is crucial to use the blended oil with loads of additives for this engine. The carbon build up with other oil is quite noticeable even over short amount of time. The expensive oil apparently does not leave heavy carbon deposits. Their is also a higher heat process with Optimax engines that require a synthetic oil lubrication. I don't mind paying more for it I just don't agree with twice as much for it. It feels like a we are being penalized for living across the border by a hour or so. Martyn
Mambo Minnow	posted 05-12-2012 07:49 AM ET (US) Canadian dollar exchange rate is practically 1:1 with the US Dollar, so double the US price makes no sense. When I was up in the Great White North in February I really noticed the VST/GST taxes on every receipt....seemed like 15-20% taxation. Very expensive to live there.
K Albus	posted 05-12-2012 11:01 AM ET (US) For the 10 years that I owned my Optimax 135, I religiously used the Mercury and Quick Silver DFI oil. In the beginning it was $19.99 per gallon. This was twice as much as other oils, but I only used a couple of gallons per year, so it wasn't a big deal. By the end, I was paying $85 for the 10 liter jug, which is about $34 per gallon. $195 for 2.5 lters is close to $80 per gallon. At that price, I think I would switch over to Mercury Premium Plus or a pure synthetic oil. I would also be sure to use the recommended dosage of Quickleen.
Mambo Minnow	posted 05-12-2012 08:10 PM ET (US) I have also heard good things about the Amsoil brand semi-synthetic. I might try that as well this summer when my Quicksilver DFI runs out.