R56 Oil Change interval
#177
6th Gear
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If you go to the Castrol site:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6006933
Then Search for A3 you will find 5 of the oils are A3 approved.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6006933
Then Search for A3 you will find 5 of the oils are A3 approved.
#179
I have the Dealer do Molly's Oil Changes every 6 months, that's about 6,000 miles give or take. I don't mind paying for the Mid-Year one, it's piece of mind knowing that I'm taking care of my girl!!
I made trip to AZ in March and had Mini North Scottsdale change the oil when I took her in to get the Rear License Plate Bulb replaced, they topped off all fluids and checked the tires.
Great Service and NOT my Local Dealer!!
I made trip to AZ in March and had Mini North Scottsdale change the oil when I took her in to get the Rear License Plate Bulb replaced, they topped off all fluids and checked the tires.
Great Service and NOT my Local Dealer!!
#180
Depends on type of driving, how long it takes to put those miles on the car, and environmental conditions. From oil analysis, about 8,000 is good for my MCS.
Yea, but I wouldn't use 5W-50, or 20W-50 on a MINI. Only the 0W-30 meets BMW LL–01.
They probably could if you used an oil that didn't meet the requirements in the manual, such as a synthetic that doesn't have "extended life" and you went for 15,000 miles with it.
However, I'm not sure how they'd know, and the problem would have to be caused by inadequate oil.
If you go to the Castrol site:
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6006933
Then Search for A3 you will find 5 of the oils are A3 approved.
http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6006933
Then Search for A3 you will find 5 of the oils are A3 approved.
However, I'm not sure how they'd know, and the problem would have to be caused by inadequate oil.
#181
They probably could if you used an oil that didn't meet the requirements in the manual, such as a synthetic that doesn't have "extended life" and you went for 15,000 miles with it.
However, I'm not sure how they'd know, and the problem would have to be caused by inadequate oil.
#183
I know its a beaten horse.
But old habits die hard.
I bought a couple of filters and some Castrol full syn 5/30. My plan is to do an initial oil change (break-in, if there is such a thing) between the 1500 and 2000 mile mark then every 4000-5000 afterwards.
This is an extreme change from my usually compulsive oil changing every 3000 miles or less.
But old habits die hard.
I bought a couple of filters and some Castrol full syn 5/30. My plan is to do an initial oil change (break-in, if there is such a thing) between the 1500 and 2000 mile mark then every 4000-5000 afterwards.
This is an extreme change from my usually compulsive oil changing every 3000 miles or less.
Another option would be Mobil 1 0W-40. It's imported for German cars since the usual crap isn't ACEA3 or LL-01 certified.
#184
There are quite a few synthetic oils that don't meet the requirements, and many more that may meet what the USA manual calls for, but not what the UK manual requires. IMO, it is better for the long life of the engine if you stay as close as possible to the UK recommendation.
The Castrol 5W-30 the OP chose doesn't come close to the UK requirement, and may not even meet the more lax USA requirement. In re-reading the USA manul I see that what it says about API SH oils is that you can add small quantities between oil changes. That doesn't mean you can use any SH oil for a full oil change. It says you have to contact your dealer about what oils are acceptable.
Last edited by Robin Casady; 07-19-2009 at 12:25 AM.
#185
#188
Castrol Edge 5W-30 only has an A5 rating (lower viscosity at temp than A3). I'd go for the 0W-40 A3 oil instead. If you don't want to go to your dealer for MINI 5W-30, 0W-40 seems to be the easiest to find. However, Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 (make sure it has the MST) meets A3 and claims to be designed for Mercedes and BMW engines.
Some A3 0W-40 oils are:
Castrol EDGE Sport 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40 (other Mobil 1 grades aren't A3)
Royal Purple 0W-40
Some A3 0W-40 oils are:
Castrol EDGE Sport 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40 (other Mobil 1 grades aren't A3)
Royal Purple 0W-40
#189
Castrol Edge 5W-30 only has an A5 rating (lower viscosity at temp than A3). I'd go for the 0W-40 A3 oil instead. If you don't want to go to your dealer for MINI 5W-30, 0W-40 seems to be the easiest to find. However, Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 (make sure it has the MST) meets A3 and claims to be designed for Mercedes and BMW engines.
Some A3 0W-40 oils are:
Castrol EDGE Sport 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40 (other Mobil 1 grades aren't A3)
Royal Purple 0W-40
Some A3 0W-40 oils are:
Castrol EDGE Sport 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40 (other Mobil 1 grades aren't A3)
Royal Purple 0W-40
#193
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard_analysis.html
I had the Standard Analysis + TBN done. With the cost of shipping it there Priority Mail, I paid about $37.50. TBN measures how much additive remains to neutralize acids in the oil. It is helpful in determining the proper oil change interval.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests_price_list.html
I had the Standard Analysis + TBN done. With the cost of shipping it there Priority Mail, I paid about $37.50. TBN measures how much additive remains to neutralize acids in the oil. It is helpful in determining the proper oil change interval.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests_price_list.html
#194
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard_analysis.html
I had the Standard Analysis + TBN done. With the cost of shipping it there Priority Mail, I paid about $37.50. TBN measures how much additive remains to neutralize acids in the oil. It is helpful in determining the proper oil change interval.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests_price_list.html
I had the Standard Analysis + TBN done. With the cost of shipping it there Priority Mail, I paid about $37.50. TBN measures how much additive remains to neutralize acids in the oil. It is helpful in determining the proper oil change interval.
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/tests_price_list.html
#196
OK...I looked in my 2009 Cooper S owners manual again today and it says nothing about a AC3 oil. It only states to use a high performance Synthetic oil with the SM designation or higher with the follwoing grades: 0w-40 0w-30 5w-40 5w-30. The sticker on the engine says the factory full is 5w-30.
Certain Grade of Castrol Syntech meet SL or higher and AC3
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
Castrol Edge 5w-30 which is supposed to be Castrol best says nothing about AC3 but it meets and exceeds Mini's SL requirement.
Mobil 1 5w-30 does not have the AC3 designation but the Mobil 1 0w-40 does. Both meet the SM designation.
Mobil 1 0w-40 spec sheet:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_0W-40.asp
So it seems that Castrol Syntech or Edge 5w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 are the oils that would work the best.
So off I go to the dealer to buy a oil filter and I asked them... beside the Mini branded oil what could I use. They said they do not even use the Mini oil and they use Castrol Synth 5w-30 but off the record one of the guys said Mobil 1 0w-40 in Florida would be his choice.
I have been useing Mobil 1 products in my race boats and Porsche's for years with out a single glitch. I will be useing Mobil 1 0w-40 in the Mini Cooper S.
Certain Grade of Castrol Syntech meet SL or higher and AC3
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
Castrol Edge 5w-30 which is supposed to be Castrol best says nothing about AC3 but it meets and exceeds Mini's SL requirement.
Mobil 1 5w-30 does not have the AC3 designation but the Mobil 1 0w-40 does. Both meet the SM designation.
Mobil 1 0w-40 spec sheet:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_0W-40.asp
So it seems that Castrol Syntech or Edge 5w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 are the oils that would work the best.
So off I go to the dealer to buy a oil filter and I asked them... beside the Mini branded oil what could I use. They said they do not even use the Mini oil and they use Castrol Synth 5w-30 but off the record one of the guys said Mobil 1 0w-40 in Florida would be his choice.
I have been useing Mobil 1 products in my race boats and Porsche's for years with out a single glitch. I will be useing Mobil 1 0w-40 in the Mini Cooper S.
#197
Mileage service counter
Does anyone know how this works? My '08 Copper S has 8,500 miles on the odometer and the service counter says I'm due for service in another 9,000 miles.
The counter said 15,000 mile until I took it to the dealer for a "low mileage" oil change. Now It says 9,000 miles, but it doesn't change. I would expect to see it going down as the car gets more miles.
If I rely on the counter, I won't be due for service until the car has 17,500 miles. This seems rather extreme considering that I use the car for auto crossing and I drive rather agressively on the street.
The counter said 15,000 mile until I took it to the dealer for a "low mileage" oil change. Now It says 9,000 miles, but it doesn't change. I would expect to see it going down as the car gets more miles.
If I rely on the counter, I won't be due for service until the car has 17,500 miles. This seems rather extreme considering that I use the car for auto crossing and I drive rather agressively on the street.
#198
Actually, if you trust that counter you will probably have your first oil change in the 20,000 to 22,500 range (counter adjust, and it doesn't work in your favor), or 1 year whatever comes first.
Some people don't like to wait that long for an oil change, so we just change oil by ourselves. Obviously, we gotta pay for that out of our own pocket, but hey an extra oil change hasn't killed an engine yet. Has it?
Now that I have typed this, there will be other people posting and saying that you can just drive forever, and get your annual oil changes from MINI. But it's your car, so you decide.
Some people don't like to wait that long for an oil change, so we just change oil by ourselves. Obviously, we gotta pay for that out of our own pocket, but hey an extra oil change hasn't killed an engine yet. Has it?
Now that I have typed this, there will be other people posting and saying that you can just drive forever, and get your annual oil changes from MINI. But it's your car, so you decide.
#200
The countdown odometer bases its estimate on some aspects of your driving recorded by the onboard computer (OBC). From what I've heard, it measures number of starts, length of trips, average speed, etc. The miles remaining can adjust as it goes. It is impossible to determine the number it will end up at the point your's is at.
You get a free oil change at the anniversary of delivery. The countdown odometer is for oil change, brake fluid flush, fresh air filter, and a few other things.
I did an oil change at around 1,600 miles because I wanted to get the initial break-in oil out of the engine. I did another about 5,000 miless later and had the oil analyzed at that time. It indicated that I could have gone another K miles, but it wouldn't have been wise to go much further.
There was a post here recently with oil test results of going 12,500 miles from delivery before the first change. His oil had so much metal in it that it had become abrasive.
My recommendation is to have your oil changed now. It may be due for its annual oil change anyway. Ask your dealer about it. If it is not time, doing it yourself is not difficult. Use a BMW LL-01 (or ACEA A3) rated oil, such as Castrol Syntech 0W-30 European Formula, or MINI branded 5W-30. There are other brands available that meet LL-01. To avoid warranty issues, I'd use an OEM filter. You can get them for $10-15. There are some DIY threads with photos that are helpful (and endless threads about what oil should or should not be used that are less helpful).
You get a free oil change at the anniversary of delivery. The countdown odometer is for oil change, brake fluid flush, fresh air filter, and a few other things.
I did an oil change at around 1,600 miles because I wanted to get the initial break-in oil out of the engine. I did another about 5,000 miless later and had the oil analyzed at that time. It indicated that I could have gone another K miles, but it wouldn't have been wise to go much further.
There was a post here recently with oil test results of going 12,500 miles from delivery before the first change. His oil had so much metal in it that it had become abrasive.
My recommendation is to have your oil changed now. It may be due for its annual oil change anyway. Ask your dealer about it. If it is not time, doing it yourself is not difficult. Use a BMW LL-01 (or ACEA A3) rated oil, such as Castrol Syntech 0W-30 European Formula, or MINI branded 5W-30. There are other brands available that meet LL-01. To avoid warranty issues, I'd use an OEM filter. You can get them for $10-15. There are some DIY threads with photos that are helpful (and endless threads about what oil should or should not be used that are less helpful).