[BMWhat?]

Actually, I have a perfect example of where using synthetic saved my butt. I had been using Castrol Syntec in my 89 Taurus V6 and I was driving in humid 90+ weather. I noticed my temp gauge shoot up to just below the red mark. It stayed there while I drove another 10 miles doing 70+ MPH. When I got home, I realized I had blown a hose and had not coolant for quite a while.

The Synthetic keep the engine at a stable operating temperature without any coolant!! Since this event, I've also prescribed to the notion that it's generally a good idea to spend the extra 20 bucks on Synthetic Oil.