Hello everyone. 
I recently purchased a 2018 225 hp Opti Pro xs. It only had 45 hours on it. It runs great. 
Ive had Optis before in the late 90s and in 2004. For those motors I used the performance plus oil by Quicksilver.

These days I see they recommend using the OptiMaxx/DFI oil. I couldn’t believe my ears when they told me it cost $49 a gallon!!!  I can buy Perf Plus for $22. 
 

Is this just a marketing ploy or can I use performance plus in this newer OptiMax?

Obviously I don’t want to ruin a $15,000 engine but also I hate to pay $25 more per gallon of oil if I don’t have to. 

I see the Opti oil is brown while the PP oil is green. 
Any thoughts? I’m gonna also ask a couple of marine mechanics when I get a chance but thought I’d ask for opinions. 
Thanks. 

There are more additives in the oil. Try DOMOonline for better pricing 

You can run performance plus, but DFI oil is recommended. It's a tough pill to swallow, but bite the bullet and run it. On the positive side a gallon will last you quite a while. I haven't done it yet, but some dealers will sell it to you from their bulk drums and give you a discount. 

$50 for every 100 gallons of gasoline is cheap insurance.

Tom

1 hour ago, WIGuide said:

You can run performance plus, but DFI oil is recommended. It's a tough pill to swallow, but bite the bullet and run it. On the positive side a gallon will last you quite a while. I haven't done it yet, but some dealers will sell it to you from their bulk drums and give you a discount. 

^ X2.
 

 @Capt Steve it kinda the cost of doing business with the Opti. I was paying close to $35 a gallon for bulk to keep my 5 gallon tank close to full, but in my opinion it’s cheap insurance. My ‘04 had 923 hours on the original powerhead when I sold it and attribute that in part to using the Mercury Optimax oil.

Thanks everyone. I guess I didn’t realize how far a gal of oil would go. I don’t remember exactly but my older Optis seemed to use more oil than what y’all are saying. 
I’ll do what I know is right for the engine. I’m just making sure I’m not paying unnecessarily. 
I’ve asked two marine dealer if I can bring my empty jug for a discount. Nope!  
DOMO online is over $50/gal. 
Now I know why I got a good deal on the boat. Haha. 
 

For the past 23 years I’ve been guiding in the gulf and using 4 strokes. I didn’t realize how much I was saving. Going back to a two stroke is eye opening. 
Thanks again. 

DFI motors use a lot less oil than carbureted NA motors, so the oil requirements are a lot more critical.  I would never run anything but the manufacturer's recommended oil in any DFI motor, if you care anything about the motor.

I'm sure some are thinking BS, they've run such and such cheap brand and never had a problem and good for them, I won't.