Red Line is the finest synthetic oil made from the top quality esters. Mobile 1 is next made for 2 different esters, one top qualily, one a little lesser (cheaper) than those in Red Line.

I run the Mobile 1 in all my engines but run Red Line in all my drive trains, transmissions and rear ends, and tranfer case in an AWD van I have.

Many tests have shown that when all the vehicle has synthetic oil in it a 10% increase is performance is found.

 

If you're interested in helping your Mini, put synthetic oil in all the running gear.

Red Line is absolutely the best. Synthetics are made for 2 type of esters. One is a higher grade than the other. Synthetics were developed by the Germans in WWII as they oil supply diminished.

Moble 1 is a mix of both. Redline is only the best esters.

Due to changes required I recommend Mobile 1 for the engine. But in all my vehicles I put Redline in the transmission, differential, and transfer case on an AWD van I own.

Tests have shown that when a vehicle uses 100% synthetic oil in the running gear a 10% power advantage is seen.

I recommend no other synthetic oils. Some like Castrol Syntec aren't really synthetic but us a refining process with regular oil that the govenment has allowed them to classify as "synthetic". Ford has found that the Castrol Syntec acts like a solvent and seems to destroy composition and plastic parts exposed in the engine to that oil.

Bob Merriam

 

Just got done breaking in engine 1375 miles. I went to dealer to get touch up paint. Asked how much for Oil change. $200.00 at Concord MINI. The guy told me dont go to iffy lube cause they will mess it up. I told him I knew that. But for $200.00 do I get lubed before they "blank" me and take my money. Sounds like I should be filing a police report. I see two crimes MINI of Concord could be convicted of. Both of these are felonies in Ca. I WILL NOT BE A VICTIM.

I will be going to a MINI specialist. Luckily, there are some MINI/BMW independants in area.

 

Do it yourself and do it right. You will build confidence in your vehicle, knowing that it is properly maintained. I have done my own oil changes for more than 3 years and as soon as the warranty is up I plan to continue operating that way. knock on wood, I have never had any serious issue related to maintenance.

 

Surely you can't be serious. Two hundred dollars for an oil change?


Was he holding a gun on you at the time?

 

I am still out on a verdict whether changing the oil at 5,000 is necessary before the maintenance schedule of 10,000. Yes, I can see the argument that it can be beneficial, but I still don't think a car manufacturer would make a recommendation potentially harmful to the engine. Factors such as driving style come into play and from my understanding, the number of miles left before an oil change you see on the odometer take that in play.
For peace of mind - yeah, go ahead at 5,000. I listen to a Click and Clack show the other day where someone who owned a Volvo was being ripped off by a dealer by paying, I think, $130 (because of special Volvo parts)for an oil change and he was getting it done every 3,000 miles. Their advice was there was no advantage of doing it at 3,000 as 5,000 was just fine. They also advised to go some place else as he was indeed being ripped off.
For me, I might at 5,000, and I might not. I could certainly do it myself but the biggest factor in an oil change is getting rid of the used oil. You can't dump it down a drain so you have to take it somewhere that has the capability to deal with it. One extra step in a "do it yourself oil change" that I'd rather pay someone else to deal with. The thing I like about a 10,000 mile oil change is that it means less used oil to process and more oil conserved.
I agree that I would certainly not take my Mini to a Jiffy Lube. I had one too many times with my Miata where I would run up for a quick oil change and when I'd return, there would be oil leaking on my carport because the kid did not get the filter on right. They always struggled with that filter because the guy below wouldn't do it and the guy up top had to deal with reaching his arm around a hot engine in a very cramped space.

 

I always enjoy watching "the oil change interval" thread that seems to go on with every auto site I follow, every few months

It's almost like religion. You can't argue with someone's "faith". It comes down to this in my mind:

1. If you do it yourself, oil is pretty cheap. The enjoyment of working on your own car is satisfying for many. Especially the type of people who go thru the trouble of posting on a site about cars.

I liken it to a full weekend detailing job vs a 15 minute quick wash. The person who spends all day is doing it because they enjoy it, and they enjoy the results. The person who spends 15 minutes doesn't like their car any less, they just prefer to spend their time in other ways.

2. Changing your oil more often isn't going to hurt your engine (at least I've never heard of any evidence of an issue). I'm sure you could count wear and tear on the drain plug, or that the more often you do it the more likely you'll miss a step and mess something up, but those aren't direct issues.

3. Not changing your oil more often isn't likely to hurt your engine either. Although I feel that long term (100K+ miles) it is likely to have some benefits, especially if you drive your engine hard. I respect the idea that changing your oil more often may waste oil. However I hope that the recycling center actually does recycle the oil into something.

4. Dealer prices will always be high. I've had mixed results with my dealers, most of the time I'm underwhemed. There is almost always a good independent shop near by. If you want your oil changed more often, and don't want to pay high prices, and you don't want to do it yourself, find that good shop. Get to know some of the guys there. Techs that know and like you personally may reflect some of that in their work.

5. If you want to play, you have to pay. If you are going to drive your car hard, and you want it to last, you have to maintain it, period. If you don't care about it lasting long, then don't sweat it. But please let me know so that I don't buy it later

 

You got that right..... that's the funniest thing so far I've discovered about owning this car. It is like the first time I've been lead to believe in certain things by the faith of the followers; after buying this car and joining this forum, I immediately was converted to "Zainoism".
I mean if you drive a Mini, so you are a believer in Zaino, aren't you??? :impatient
What! You take your Mini to a carwash???!!!

 

Bay Bridge Motors a MINI specialist will change my Oil for $70.00 with Mobil 1. A $130.00 savings. Oh by the way I can get a loaner if I don't want to wait an hour at the shop.