Although we all drive differently....some harder than others, etc.........anyone using any oil on new Cooper or S ?...........At 3000-3500 miles I went through 1/2 quart. Last 1000 miles........no consumption.........topped up with Mobil One 5-30 as recommended by dealer for new cars............... have not had this experience with previous new cars from BMW (4)..............Hope I don't have oil burner..........my break-in was as recommended to the T.............FYI, Andrew :smile:

 

I haven't noticed it consuming too much if any oil, and i'm over 3000 miles... You should have your oil changed some time in the next thousand. After you do, keep tabs on it, and keep us updated

 

I've noticed some oil use in my S. I changed the oil at 1200 and am close to 1700 now and added 1/4 to 1/2 quart yesterday(Mobil One). The change was with BMW synthetic which I assume is Castrol though I am not sure. My next change, at 3000 will be either Mobil One or Amsoil. I drive the car hard, fast and in +90 degree weather. I'll be interested to see if there is a difference with the M. One or Amsoil although, I suspect, the weather will be cooling down here over the next month .

Florida Mini Owners

 

I thought the MINI only needed oil changes as the manual states. I was lead to believe that the synthetic oil lasted much longer that traditional oils. Are you saying we should change it more often?

 

Get your hands on Car and Driver 11/2000 or read the post re. Castrol synthetic in Under the Bonnet I think. No way I would go 10,000 w/o changing oil....although I was told by a retired Mobil engineer that it is OK. He did mention that he wouldn't let Castrol go 10,000 though.

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2Minis

 

I have used 3/4 of a qt in less than 1000 miles... but, I'm a fool!! I think the harder you run before "break in" the more you'll use! It DOES take longer for the internal engine pieces to become friendly with the sync. oils!! They ARE THAT good!!
10K isnt too much for the sync oils!! 25 K and they are still working good!! Check all the lit and you'll see! you need to change the filter as they DO get trashy!!

As for me?? I'm changing @ 5K, and then at the dealer for the 10K service!! I guess I'm like most of us... yeah ..sure..10K!!?? LOL

Just me.......................

Thumper

 

>>I have used 3/4 of a qt in less than 1000 miles... but, I'm a fool!! I think the harder you run before "break in" the more you'll use!

You are mostly correct. A big reason you are supposed to "break-in" a new engine is to "seat" the rings. The rings are the seals around your piston that keep oil from leaking into the combustion chamber, preventing "blow-by" of the oil. If you are burning that much oil this soon, chances are you have not properly seated the rings and the motor will experience "blow by" for it's entire life until it is rebuilt. This means you will be burning oil, and you will be replacing spark plugs and emissions equipment more often.

 

Sorta true!! The engine is "broke in at Mini".. the rings are all ready seated and the bearings are also!! The new tech. in piston design and ring design has almost lost the need to "break in"!! Instead of having the cylindar walls honed with a ruff stone, the new rings take almost a smooth shinny bore! As far as blow by... yep! IF the ring have failed.. they will stay "failed".. but there is a time when all the parts become friendly and work together!! and the mileage will increase and the oil consumption will decrease . Cool? :smile: Usually after a few miles of run in!!
Race engines ( even though they are a 500 mi or 24hr run) build them, tune them and race them.. same on todays engines!! Heat is the biggest killer of ring tension, and IF you keep the temp cool.. the rings will be fine!! ANY engine that you push to the limits will use oil!! that is what the oil is for!! Run it like you stole it!! Has been said before!! Break it in like you drive it.. is also out there (somewhere)!! All or any engine requires a little oil usages in the beginning!! And 1 qt in 1000 miles is cool!! BUT... I will expect less as the engine works theu the Newness!!.. Hell ya... Lets motor !! But why do it at 55 MPH???


Just me...................

Thumper

 

Anyone know the actual degree change with Redline Water Wetter? Is it worth putting in?

Florida Mini Owners

 

>>Sorta true!! The engine is "broke in at Mini".. the rings are all ready seated and the bearings are also!! The new tech. in piston design and ring design has almost lost the need to "break in"!! Instead of having the cylindar walls honed with a ruff stone, the new rings take almost a smooth shinny bore! As far as blow by... yep! IF the ring have failed.. they will stay "failed".. but there is a time when all the parts become friendly and work together!! and the mileage will increase and the oil consumption will decrease . Cool? :smile: Usually after a few miles of run in!!
>>Race engines ( even though they are a 500 mi or 24hr run) build them, tune them and race them.. same on todays engines!! Heat is the biggest killer of ring tension, and IF you keep the temp cool.. the rings will be fine!! ANY engine that you push to the limits will use oil!! that is what the oil is for!! Run it like you stole it!! Has been said before!! Break it in like you drive it.. is also out there (somewhere)!! All or any engine requires a little oil usages in the beginning!! And 1 qt in 1000 miles is cool!! BUT... I will expect less as the engine works theu the Newness!!.. Hell ya... Lets motor !! But why do it at 55 MPH???
>>
>>
>>Just me...................
>>
>>Thumper
Thumper is right. Modern engines (except some diesels) no longer use cast iron compression rings. Cast iron rings needed seating because most engines used cast iron blocks or cylinder sleeves and since both were similar hardness the goal was to evenly seat (mate) the two surfaces for max compression. The oil consumption is actually controlled by the oil scraper (ring)which has been chrome-moly for the last twenty hears or so.

 

Castrol is not a synthetic it is a highly refined petroleum oil and it has one of the highest volitality ratings of the upper tier oils.

I am going to email my amsoil dealer buddy and get him to send me the volitality ratings of the oils they have tested.

 

Come on, is it really that hard to drive a little restrained when you first get your MINI? I say err on the side of caution. Not to mention, now that i'm almost past the break in period, i've noticed: Clutch/Tranny loosens up, Exhaust seems louder, Car seems to loosen up, and the engine Really seems to spool up quicker... Much quicker... granted, this may be in my mind, but others have reported some of the same things. So seals or no seals, it seems like the MINI is programmed to have a break in period. And like I said, so you can't stomp the gas for the first month or so, or red-line it... is that really a major sacrifice for something which may make your MINI healther in the long run? But back on topic, I'll have to check my oil next time i'm out... It's just a good idea to check your oil from time to time, esp. on a new car like the MINI...

Also, check your tire pressure... I had one tire that had 8 lbs more pressure then the other 3...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>I thought the MINI only needed oil changes as the manual states. I was lead to believe that the synthetic oil lasted much longer that traditional oils. Are you saying we should change it more often?

Just make sure you check the level and top up with 5-30 W. I am using MObil One per dealer.....

 

>>Get your hands on Car and Driver 11/2000 or read the post re. Castrol synthetic in Under the Bonnet I think. No way I would go 10,000 w/o changing oil....although I was told by a retired Mobil engineer that it is OK. He did mention that he wouldn't let Castrol go 10,000 though.
>>
>>_________________
>>2Minis

Thanks........

 

>>>>I have used 3/4 of a qt in less than 1000 miles... but, I'm a fool!! I think the harder you run before "break in" the more you'll use!
>>
>>You are mostly correct. A big reason you are supposed to "break-in" a new engine is to "seat" the rings. The rings are the seals around your piston that keep oil from leaking into the combustion chamber, preventing "blow-by" of the oil. If you are burning that much oil this soon, chances are you have not properly seated the rings and the motor will experience "blow by" for it's entire life until it is rebuilt. This means you will be burning oil, and you will be replacing spark plugs and emissions equipment more often.

Unless they never filled it right to begin with ???? I should have checked on delivery..............which is something rarely done.........

 

3000 miles 1/2 quart.

 

10k 4+quarts used = Blown Engine add Pulley to the equation- NO WARRANTY!

 

I blew thru about 2 qts in 16k miles in a 28k MINI. BMW Tech says that's to be expected. Anyone here to say it's not? I mean - can that really be chalked up to "oil consumption"? As it by any means "normal"? Anyone?

 

I burned one half quart in the first 1600 miles but since then no appreciable oil consumption and I am currently at a little over 7K. I changed the oil and filter myself at 5K using BMW 5W/30 oil.

 

1/2 quart low at around 5,000 miles. Mostly stop-and-go, short trip driving. Except for the occassional MINI Rally! Topped it off with Mobil One 5W-30. Won't get first oil and filter change until the MINI computer says "CHANGE OIL" or whatever it displays...what does it display, anyone know?

Rock On,

-Joe

 

oh, the ole oil topic...

I added 1/2 quart during the first 10 k miles of my 03 MCS.
Had first scheduled oil change at 12k miles (see no reason whatsoever to change more frequently than as scheduled).
Have since added another 1/2 quart, and am at about 22k miles.

M.

 

Drove mine as hard as I could from day one I am a strong believer that you break the car in the way you will be driving it, if its going to break I want it to break early not later when the warranty is over. 19K miles and counting two dealer oils changes and one half quart added at 8K + miles , thats all for THDUKE and he runs as if he is being chased by a tiger

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IB/W 2003 MCS All installable Factory options, Aero kit, driving Lamps, Rear clear lamps, BMW alarm, R90 wheels, JCW upgrade, Brembo big brake kit

 

It's going to kill me but I promise to take it easy for those first 1300 miles!

after that, how often should I check the oil to see if I need to add any ?

 

I have used Redline WaterWetter in my cars for 5+ years. It did help the over heating in my 93 Intrepid (hum! guess I've been using it for over 10 years) You will most likely not see a drop in temp because the thermostat will keep the temp at what ever its setting is. You will get much better heat transfer with waterWetter which makes the whole system happy. I really like it and plan to add to my mcs that is ON THE BOAT as of yesterday.

 

Changed oil and filter at 5K. Had to add 6/10’s of a quart at 7500. I seem to be on track to burn a little over a quart every 5K as I also had to add oil before I changed it at the 5K mark.