Donnie is right on.

If you only plan on short term ownership, its a draw. use synthetic at a higher cost to you with no short term gains, or use regular dino oil at a reduced cost, stick with short change intervals.

If you do plan on keeping this car for a long time, synthetic is a must. I'd jump for a high quality synthetic and, at a minimum change it every 7500 miles. I currently run 15,000 mile intervals with Mobil-1 in all my gas vehicles (ranging from 122,000-260,000 miles) with oil analysis to prove its safe. Its up to you, but if you plan on keeping the car, go synthetic! Better yet, take it to MBAutowerks and let them do the work!

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Matt
2003 Jetta Wagon TDI 145,000MI
1999.5 Jetta TDI 287,000MI
2001 Suzuki SV650S 26,000MI
2008 Yamaha Vino 125 11,000MI
http://www.crazymatt.org