Is that Ursa a synthetic or semisynthetic? If so, you will burn less off the cylinder walls and it probably won't slide down the valve guide seals as easily, either.

I had the same experience with the work van -- if I put Mobil 1 in it rather than the "normal" Shell Rotella (we have a Shell credit card for the vehicles), the oil consumption dropped to zero. After an oil change, it was right back up to a quart in 1500 or so, with a little blue puff on startup cold. Probably not worth changing the valve guide seals (I certainly don't want to!).

10W30 is fine for winter driving as the oil temp won't be all that high. I'd use something a bit heavier in the summer.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!