Simple question but can anyone recommend the best type/manufacturer of engine oil for the '2 ?
This is bit of a contensious issue as there is a debate between those who favour semi-synthetics and those who favour the fully synthetics brands.
Putting that debate aside when I had my first service the dealer was using Shell but more recently are using Castrol with semi-synthetic oil in both cases. My guess would be that Toyota probably are using whoever offers them the best price but that you wouldn't go wrong with either. My own opinion is any quality oil that meets the Toyota spec changed frequently including a new filter is your best bet. I try and change now every 5K.
If you want a bit of info on oils have a look at http://www.chris-longhurst.com/carbibles/engineoil_bible.html.
For a comparative test of a variety of oils (tested on a Subaru RS turbo) check out Graham Bell's book Forced Induction Performance Tuning which has a chapter on lubrication. Granted most of us are running normally aspirated engines but it gives a good idea of the oil's ability under boost conditions when I presume the engine & oil is being most stressed. He rates them against both engine protection and parasitic loss (e.g. best for horsepower).
you may want to take a look at
m http://www.mr2roc.org/viewtopic.php?t=1864 (http://www.mr2roc.org/viewtopic.php?t=1864) m
Will find out on Monday when she is in for her first service.