Is all synthetic oil created equal?
#1
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Is all synthetic oil created equal?
This week at Canadian Tire, MotoMaster Formula 1 Synthetic oil (http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-formula-1-synthetic-motor-oil-5l-0288712p.html#.VSqgvpN-V6A) is on sale. Should I avoid the cheaper oils and go right for the premium brands or are they all pretty much the same?
Avro
Avro
#3
#5
Basic reasoning would tell you that there would be a very small difference between brands. For the vast majority of cars on the road, that difference doesn't matter. For ours though, our engines are built just like any other BMW and are therefore precise enough for it to make a difference.
Luckily, at least when it comes to 0W40, Mobil 1 is one of the common recommendations and is both prevalent and cheap. It wouldn't hurt to spend more, but never spend less. Basically, just don't buy Castrol.
Luckily, at least when it comes to 0W40, Mobil 1 is one of the common recommendations and is both prevalent and cheap. It wouldn't hurt to spend more, but never spend less. Basically, just don't buy Castrol.
#6
The problem with opinions on oil is that they are never provable. I'd agree that there's very little difference between brands of oil with the same specifications. Anecdotally, I've found that, for some reason, BMW motors drink (as in leak and burn) Mobil 1 faster than Castrol synthetic. I don't know why, but it's just what I've noticed. Now that BMW has switched to Shell, we'll see how fast it disappears from BMW motors.
#7
I'm not actually certain how or why BMW engines consume oil, though I know it does happen on purpose (same with Lexus). If viscosity or particle size play some role in how quickly they consume the oil, then perhaps Castrol is notably different. I have a non-S though, so my oil consumption is so minor that I haven't looked into it much.
I'll definitely agree that opinions on oil are almost always purely subjective and are often fanatical.
I'll definitely agree that opinions on oil are almost always purely subjective and are often fanatical.
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#8
#9
#10
+1 on maintenance and meeting the MINI / BMW LL-01 specs.
The factory oil did go from Castrol to the New Euro Shell. Comes in a nice new bottle and now in 1 L size , Castrol silver bottle came in a QT size.
5W-30 Factory Engine Oil - 1 Liter 83212365947
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/83212365947/
The factory oil did go from Castrol to the New Euro Shell. Comes in a nice new bottle and now in 1 L size , Castrol silver bottle came in a QT size.
5W-30 Factory Engine Oil - 1 Liter 83212365947
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/83212365947/
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Last edited by ECSTuning; 04-17-2015 at 02:26 PM.
#11
There has been more typed words to this than just about anything , including religion, In fact it is some kind of religion to some. IMHO just pay the price and go with the Mini brand. You will never get to the bottom of the question.
#12
#14
It's important to make sure the oil meets ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01 specs. Not all synthetics are the same. Example Castrol and MOBIL 1 synthetics sold here in North America don't meet these requirements, they're actually "blends" and not full synthetic like they'd have you believe. That's why you see MOBIL 1 European Car Formula next to "regular" Mobil 1 on the shelf. Now you know why!!!
#16
yea, we have the Mobile 1 Euro Car Formula here:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2575992/
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2575992/
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
#18
#19
I assume the new product REPLACES the older one, and is now the recommended product for my 2010 Justa (R56), right?
#20
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't "SL" an older spec? Can anyone tell me why MINI brand oil does not meet the recommended specification for their own car?
As near as I can tell, the ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01 are far more important than the API spec, but still, why recommend SM when the OEM oil is only SL?
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