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The only one that meets the spec is the 0-30wt European Formula
BMW LL-01 is missing from the rest.
I do believe that most new motor oils exceed spec API SH which is recommended in my USA 2005 Mini S owners manual. Even WalMart brand meets this spec. It may be different in the UK where they have Tescos instead of WalMart. I can't speak for the oils over there. However, if you are going to follow the manufacterer's recomedations, using what's printed on your engine may be best. (Which is Castrol.)
I'm the one who started the thread. I had over 10,000 miles and nearly 11 months on that oil. A generic mechanic was not able to change the filter, but the Mini dealership was able to without trouble.
Some people say the longer you go, the harder it is to change the filter. The Mini tech (who has 7+ years of experience working on Minis) told me the mechanic who changed the filter before tightened it a little too tight.
__________________ 2005 MCS
-6 speed Manual
-Black/Black & Gray Leatherette/Anthracite Dash
-16" OZ Ultraleggeras
-MFSW
-Pipercross Air Induction System
Seriously, I really don't know why you guys are thinking we're making this up? I'm not going to post all the links to the technical articles and websites - other than to suggest you re-read the whole thread; I'm not he only one saying this, plus it's been discussed on others - but specifically MINI says what I'm telling you.
Yes, the valve cover does say "MINI recommends Castrol" - doesn't say which Castrol? As mentioned (more importantly) the oil you use should say "BMW LL-01". That's a certification (and thus a marketing tool) and really more important than a brand name. The oil doesn't function in the engine with a brand name, but as a lubricant with specific properties (like stress resistance), those properties are measured, and results in a "certification". Just as there are different grades, there are other "sub-catagories" (such as these cert.s) that a lot of people (MINI included) thinks one should pay attention to...
In the best of good will I'm passing on documented information. You really can use what you're comfortable with, it's your engine, and I honestly hope it works out for you.
__________________ Sports Car Club of Vermont [SCCV.org]: A/X-TrackTT-IceTT-DD 2002MCS+:15%, Alta CAI, IE-style Custom Cat-back, Unichip Q, MSD, Brisk Silvers; ACT / Fidanza, B&M shifter; Hotchkis Springs & Control Arms, Alta 19mm, strut brace, Powerflex LCA's; Autometer gauges / Craven pods
People who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music.-anon
Oh, and back closer to topic: I currently...
(A) have a stuck filter housing; once opened using...
(B) my own filter canister socket; I will be installing a
(C) Mann filter
(B & C) from MiniCarParts.net
__________________ Sports Car Club of Vermont [SCCV.org]: A/X-TrackTT-IceTT-DD 2002MCS+:15%, Alta CAI, IE-style Custom Cat-back, Unichip Q, MSD, Brisk Silvers; ACT / Fidanza, B&M shifter; Hotchkis Springs & Control Arms, Alta 19mm, strut brace, Powerflex LCA's; Autometer gauges / Craven pods
People who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music.-anon
It doesn't have "imported Castrol" printed on my engine, just Castrol. That's available almost anywhere and the price is reasonable.
If we have to use imported European oil in them, does that mean we have to use European gasoline too?
I import my gasoline from Europe too! I also import the water for the antifreeze, using nothing but Evian. (To me, reading it backwards only proves that everyone else is "naive", not me!) Oh yeah... I sometimes also spike my washer fluid with Grey Goose.
This thread reminds me of when Mobil 1 came out with the extended mileage oil years ago. Right on the bottle it says "Can be used for up to 15K miles".
I cant remember how many times I almost got punched in the face for telling people that when I worked for a parts store. I told them I dont recommend it, but they say you can.
We recently bought a 2010 Mazda 6 4 cyl. Right in the manual it says its designed to go 7500 miles in between oil changes. We got free oil changes for 5 years from the dealer anyways, so why not.
I'm a little skeptical on the whole 15K mile thing, I've got 32K on it now and I'll probably change the oil around 40K. Why not, just do it every 10K miles to be safe.(er) or at least make me feel better. right now I'm more worried about the thin looking pads and rotors I have.
Oh, and WalMart oil. Tech3 or SuperTech or whatever the hell it is, was the top rated independant convential oil for the longest time when I was getting oil reports for work. I didnt know they carried a synthetic line now, but I'd image it could be as good as the convential.
I'm the one who started the thread. I had over 10,000 miles and nearly 11 months on that oil. A generic mechanic was not able to change the filter, but the Mini dealership was able to without trouble.
Some people say the longer you go, the harder it is to change the filter. The Mini tech (who has 7+ years of experience working on Minis) told me the mechanic who changed the filter before tightened it a little too tight.
Thanks. I read the thread and that is what I had gathered from it - the problem was that some mechanic at some point had overtightened the filter housing. Which is why I did not understand why gray raven made a statement warning folks about the pitfalls of long intervals and pointing to your thread. From what I could tell, there was no connection between long intervals and the problem you had with the housing.
Earlier in this thread, TX911Fan was asking about Castrol exceeding the A3/B3 specification and how that might be determined based on whether an oil meets A1/B1 or A5/B5 specs. My understanding is that the specs are independent of each other - not linear (e.g. 1 < 3 < 5). It may be possible to use other specs, but one should understand the tradeoffs of using other than A3/B3. And as noted, an additional spec is LL-01.
At the time of the printing of this booklet, MINI High-Performance Synthetic 5W-30 Oil and Mobil 1 5W-30 and 5W-40 oils are strongly recommended and approved by the MINI Division of BMW of North America LLC for the Cooper and Cooper S models.
I guess Mobil 1, which can be bought at Walmart by the way, is not only adequate, but STRONGLY recommended. Although I went with Royal Purple this time, I expect I'll just use Mobil 1 from here on out.
I've heard really good things about Royal Purple, even though it's relatively new to the market. They advertise it all the time on the PowerTV shows on Spike TV on Saturdays and Sundays. Got a couple of motorhead friends that use it, too.
Just make sure you stick with your choice. Don't keep flip-flopping between oil brands.
__________________
'06 MCS, AB/DS, #1/#2/#3, RMW Tuned, 15%, DDM CAI, GP IC w/DDM GP div., DT BPV, Brisk silver plugs, Invidia exh., M7 Ext. Scoop, GReddy AFR/boost gauges, M7/Cobalt F/R st. bars, H&R 25mm comp. R swaybar, BBS RK rims, Kicker speakers/amp/sub, Rock-Fos 1F cap, Westin driving lights, Angel Eyes lights, Gear Jammin' LED tail lights
Royal Purple has been around for years. It's good stuff. I use Mobil 1 0W-40 personally.
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2003 Liquid Yellow Cooper S - 17" Enkei RPF1's, Brembo Big Reds, Bilstein PSS9's, MINI Madness 15% pulley, MSD, Supersprint exhaust, 22mm rear sway bar, OMP braces, B&M Short Shift, Poly bushings, and much much more..
I agree, there is a difference between Eurospec 5w-30 Castrol and commonly available 5w-30 Castrol in the US is not quite the same thats why the 0w-40 Euro is what to get if you get Castrol. After I moved 3 hours from the closest dealer I started changing my own using Mobil1. I'm no techie, but it seemed to work out pretty well. However, I have a mechanic friend who is big in the Porsche world, as well as MINI racing. He recommended Motul for me and I have seen pretty good results with it. Granted they come in 5L bottles which means I don't have to measure out 4.5 Qt, and I get it for a good price so its Motul for me. Anyone heard of MINI voiding warrantys for the use of Mann filters. The dealership up here is going to be open June 1, and I'd like to get atleast 1 free oil change before my warranty expires. I currently have a Mann filter in my car, and I'm sure I'll need a change before June, do you all think I should switch back to a factory filter so they don't void me when I go for the oil change at the dealer? Also, as to the 15-20K between oil changes, I have spoken with a few reputable MINI mechanics, and they really don't recommend it especially for a turbo MINI. Pretty bad stories of turbos being burned out way too soon and bad stuff like that. Cause my MINI says I can do 20K between changes, but I do it myself 5K-7500.
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'07 Astro Black MCS, 10% Tint, Minspeed Shorty Antenna, Forge CAI, Minspeed 19mm swaybar, H&R Springs, Alta turbo-back exhaust MINI Pictures
Good gas mileage, and the oil actually seems a bit cleaner than the mobil1. I have no technical reason to like it, but I do for the price, convenience and a good friend who knows his MINIs recommended it.
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'07 Astro Black MCS, 10% Tint, Minspeed Shorty Antenna, Forge CAI, Minspeed 19mm swaybar, H&R Springs, Alta turbo-back exhaust MINI Pictures
(Which is Castrol.)
Sports Car Club of Vermont [SCCV.org]: A/X-TrackTT-IceTT-DD
