I received a flyer from Bavarian Autosport that had some interesting information on synthetic oil. They now are stocking Lubro Moly synthetic oils. What I found interesting is the following:

"Lubro Moly 5W-30 has earned BMW's "Long-Life-01" approval. Mobil 1 5W-30 doesn't have that approval. Nor do many other heavily-advertised brands. It may also surprise your to learn that the "synthetic" 5W-30 oil that BMW sells in North America (a Castrol product) is classified as a Group III hydrocracked oil, which means it's a highly refined petroleum with no synthetic molecules. As such, it cannot be called synthetic oil in Europe. (Do you think it would qualify for BMW's Longlife-01 approval?).

http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp

Has anyone used Lubro Moly or have any opinions (now that's funny,... asking motor-heads on this forum for opinions).

 

I'm not sure about Longlife approval but if you look on Mobil 1's site, their 0w-40 oil is Longlife-01 approved. Interesting that their 5w-30 isn't .

 

My boyfriend uses Redline oil on his bmw. He says its great, makes the engine run so buttery smooth.

 

AMSOIL that is all

 

Been involved in racing for many years.

Know of two oil related engine failures, both were running Amsoil.

 

For what it's worth...
an interesting oil life study between Amsoil and Mobil 1.

It's not 100% scientific, but there does seem to be interesting data and observations.

Oil Life Study

 

Redline... the only commercially available Group V oil. There is none better.

 

What is Group V? I've never heard of readline, can you elaborate? I would like for my MINI to last for 500K or until they take my license, whichever comes first.

 

Anyone know anything about Royal Purple oil?

I'm using Mobil 1 now, but now leaning towards Redline oil.

 

REDLINE, REDLINE, REDLINE, & MORE REDLINE!!

LOVE THE STUFF.

 

redline

 

Redline is all my MINI and BMW get!

 

REDLINE not readline. Its the only oil that has 100% Ester base which makes it a group V oil. Not cheap... about $7.95 per quart. My local dealer sells it to me for $6.30 because I get 2-3 cases at a time. No worries going 15K miles between changes. I think the website is www.redlineoil.com

 

I've noticed that my local Advance Auto Parts carries Redline. Just in case folks were having trouble finding the stuff. I've always used Mobil 1 or Amsoil in my vehicles, but with Redline now on the shelf here, may switch.

 

Redline. Great stuff. Worth the money.

 

Obviously there are many opinions.

Redline has a strong following in performance applications.

Amsoil, Royal Purple, Mobil One all can work as well.

Your dealership uses Castrol Syntec (mine won't add the oil of my choice) for any oil changes. Most of us don't like Castrol Syntec (not good enough!).

Your local jiffy lube will add any synthetic oil you supply them with.

Your choice.

Since you "Can" change oil every 5000 miles or so it doesn't really matter for most of us that use our MINIs for street driving. For track use the better oils are a good investment and so is changing oil more frequently.

 

...but they probably won't have the necessary shallow 36mm socket!

I ran AMSOIL in my car from shortly after the 10k service until my recent 25k service. Seeing as it's time to switch out the bogus "synthetic" oil again , I might try the Redline this time. I know this is probably blasphemy on this site, but for street applications, I doubt there's all that much difference between AMSOIL, Redline, and Royal Purple. They all obviously have passionate, knowledgeable devotees, it's all good stuff. And Mobil 1 isn't exactly going to tear your engine to shreds, either. That's what I used from 2k to 10k.

The Lubro Moly's probably good too, but I don't like that they only sell it in 5L bottles. I like to keep an extra 1L bottle hanging around for top-offs. Don't care to spend the extra $30 for oil that's going to sit around for over a year.

 

Is there really a big difference between Amsoil and Redline ?
I know they're probably the best oils available, but isn't it like choosing between Harvard and Yale ?

 

I'm sure Amsoil is fine but even their literature shows some of their blends to be a cracked hydrocarbon base. Royal Purple and Mobil OK as well. If you want the best.... its REDLINE!

 

I stopped in at Webb Motorsports yesterday for an oil change tutorial. (Randy changed the oil and I watched carefully) I think I learned a trick or two.

Randy uses nothing but Redline. Don't know if it's my imagination or not but my MINI sure seems to be running smoother now.

 

Do any NAM sponsors sell Redline? Where do y'all buy it? I don't think I've ever seen it in a store.

 

Randy showed me a trick re: the 36 mm wrench socket. You can buy the official MINI socket for about $36 or get a regular 36 mm socket from Sears and cut it shorter so you can fit it in between filter top and firewall.

 

Do you by any chance know the P/n of the mini socket? Thanks

 

Nope. I don't have the socket or the part number. Anybody else know about it?

 

I have 2,000 miles on my MCS and yesturday I went to Advance Auto to buy Redline for my first change. I'm glad I read the bottle because it said, "not for engines with less than 3,000 miles!" I want Redline in mine. What should I do?

1. Leave the original oil in until 3,000 miles and then change to Redline.

-OR-

2. Do the initial change now and use Mobil1 until my first dealer oil change at 10,000 and switch to Redline then?

Suggestions?

This is a G stock autocross car that is driven daily.

Curt B