R56 acceptable oil consumption
#3
BMW MINI acceptable oil consumption tolerance is, 1 litre per 1000 miles, this on average tends to be on the high side of consumption.
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#8
I don't think anyone knows what the average oil consumption is. One quart per 1000 miles is likely greater than average, but within the "acceptable range" according to many manufacturers.
There is a recent extreme oil consumption thread where the OP is getting less than 300 miles per quart.
There is a recent extreme oil consumption thread where the OP is getting less than 300 miles per quart.
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Full synthetic Mobil 1 for $2/quart? That's a hell of a price. Unless you're talking about the five-quart jug, but that would be $8/quart, which seems a little high.
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I'm going to ask a dumb question here, so please humor me.
How much oil do you start with? 4 1/2 quarts per the ownwers manual is top off. I know this is an oddball number, so just asking. If you start with 5 quarts, and have to keep topping to 5 quts, you are really burnigng off exess oil. If this doesn't apply, please just disregard and carry on.
As for the original question, I change at 8K and don't use enough to be noticed on the stick.
How much oil do you start with? 4 1/2 quarts per the ownwers manual is top off. I know this is an oddball number, so just asking. If you start with 5 quarts, and have to keep topping to 5 quts, you are really burnigng off exess oil. If this doesn't apply, please just disregard and carry on.
As for the original question, I change at 8K and don't use enough to be noticed on the stick.
#18
MINIUSA approved oils:
Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30
Mobil 1 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower 5W-30
MINI or BMW branded 5W-30 (made for BMW by Castrol)
I have used the MINI branded 5W-30, but switched to Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30 because it is a true synthetic (most are highly refined dino oil), and it is easily available at Autozone.
I've never needed to add oil between anual oil changes (approx 5,000 miles).
#20
I change my oil about every 5000 miles on my '09 R56 S. In 47,000 miles of motoring i've never had to add oil between changes.
I'm sorry to say, but these engines sucking down a quart every 1000 miles might as well be certified lemons. I understand tolerances in manufacturing but sucking down a quart of oil every thousand miles in a turbocharged commuter car is madness.
I'm sorry to say, but these engines sucking down a quart every 1000 miles might as well be certified lemons. I understand tolerances in manufacturing but sucking down a quart of oil every thousand miles in a turbocharged commuter car is madness.
#21
I've got 65k on a '07 JustACooper and got the oil light rounding a sharp corner today. It looks like I've burned about 1.5 qts in 6500 miles since the last oil change. (That's assuming it was full after the change - you know how hard it is to read that stick with new synthetic on it.)
I would question the wisdom of just adding oil, never changing it, on high-consumption vehicles. Usually that oil is getting burned up either because it slips by the rings or valve stems. Either way, if the relatively thick oil can go into the cylinder, then the thinner high-pressure combustion gas can certainly leak into the crankcase. My understanding is that combustion gasses contain carbon and sulfur and letting them accumulate in the pan doesn't seem like a good idea. As an example, sulfur and moisture (from sitting overnight) can cause an acid. I'm not a chemist, so if someone knows better, chime in. But for me, I'd change the oil on a regular basis anyway.
Dave
I would question the wisdom of just adding oil, never changing it, on high-consumption vehicles. Usually that oil is getting burned up either because it slips by the rings or valve stems. Either way, if the relatively thick oil can go into the cylinder, then the thinner high-pressure combustion gas can certainly leak into the crankcase. My understanding is that combustion gasses contain carbon and sulfur and letting them accumulate in the pan doesn't seem like a good idea. As an example, sulfur and moisture (from sitting overnight) can cause an acid. I'm not a chemist, so if someone knows better, chime in. But for me, I'd change the oil on a regular basis anyway.
Dave
#22
I don't think anyone would seriously consider just continually adding oil without periodically doing a full change as well (if for no other reason than to change the filter.)
Regardless, you make a very good point. I don't know if it's still true with the R56, but "fuel dilution" (combustion products or even raw gas making it past the rings into the crankcase) was a problem with the first-gen cars. When I was having oil analyses done regularly, I'd often get 1-2% fuel dilution of the oil, which is a significant amount, long before the oil would be "worn out". You could tell because the flashpoint of the oil would drop by 100 °F or more, and the viscosity would sometimes be lower than it should have been.
Regardless, you make a very good point. I don't know if it's still true with the R56, but "fuel dilution" (combustion products or even raw gas making it past the rings into the crankcase) was a problem with the first-gen cars. When I was having oil analyses done regularly, I'd often get 1-2% fuel dilution of the oil, which is a significant amount, long before the oil would be "worn out". You could tell because the flashpoint of the oil would drop by 100 °F or more, and the viscosity would sometimes be lower than it should have been.
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Ya ill actually do oil changes but that's expensive. If i change the oil every 5000 then I have to buy two jugs in order to use for that oil change and then the second jug for the oil i have to add btween changes. and you guys see+ to be doing way better than i am. Im going to go to the deqler and see what they say
#25
Ok so I cAlled my nearest mini dealer and the way I was explained when I told him about my oil consumption problem was the valve cover actually recirculates the oil vapor to the cylinder to burn. If the valve cover gasket goes bad then it could suck up good oil to burn.. estimated $1000 to fix..odd..