Oil Standards

[golfmk4owner]

Hi guys, i was just wondering, does engine oil have to confirm to the exact and only the exact specification in the handbook, or can it use the stated spec and anything newer?
For example, my GT 130 needs VW505.01, but does that mean the newer vw507 will work as well, because its newer (i think lol)?
Just curious what exactly these specification numbers are based on and what they represent.
thanks!

[Rhyso]

newer stuff will cover the older engines too

I normally get mine from VW itself as i found that using other oils I'd have to top up between services (even though it was to VW spec)

using VW Quantum Platinum or whatever its called these days and it doesn't require topping up even though its remapped 

[golfmk4owner]

Ah right... so basically, always get the newest oil? Kind of renders older oils useless then?
Is there a benefit to newer spec oils (if i used 507, for example, instead of 505.01)
And yes Rhyso i noticed that Quantum oil at the VDub dealers and believe it or not its cheaper than what ive been using!
I paid £39.99 for 4.5L of Castrol 505.01, and found 5L of 505.01 in VW for £29.99!

[Rhyso]

Ah right... so basically, always get the newest oil? Kind of renders older oils useless then?
Is there a benefit to newer spec oils (if i used 507, for example, instead of 505.01)
And yes Rhyso i noticed that Quantum oil at the VDub dealers and believe it or not its cheaper than what ive been using!
I paid £39.99 for 4.5L of Castrol 505.01, and found 5L of 505.01 in VW for £29.99!

I would use the newest stuff simply because oils get better through R&D

See dealers aren't always stealers 

[asif]

Quantum PD oil FTW