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Bet its this, its built into that top cover and sticks open and sucks oil into the turbo burns it off over time: We have the best price and free shipping. Bit issue on the N14 engines that we are seeing it happen on the N18 engine a little.
If you are ever in doubt what is working best for your motor.. I would highly recommend paying for the Blackstone oil test kit and send in a sample of your oil to be analyzed.
I did..and was amazed at the results provided. At 5k miles, using Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 synthetic; my oil had near zero metal contaminates and still retained 70% of its detergent properties. As well, it showed zero signs of sheering to a lower grade under stress too.
When people say they are using the best oil.. ask them how they know! If you have never had oil out of your motor tested.. you should!
Spoke with SA at Mini of Bedford. They told me it's within specs to go thru a quart of oil every 1000miles. Truth?!
Yes it is possible, but not always the case.
A lot of factors come into play
-Engine Model
-High Mileage
-Neglected Engine
-Maintenance Record
-Oil Type
-Driving Style
I recently had my Valves cleaned and re-seated at 54,674 miles. My 2011 R60 Sport now has 60,xxx and I check my oil at every fill up and have yet to add any oil.
I bought this car used with 37k miles and it was very neglected. I’ve done every service, every recall and fixed. I put considerable time and $$$. I was adding a quart every 600-800 miles
Last edited by MannyJimenez; Oct 3, 2017 at 08:14 PM.
Years ago I did religious Blackstone UOA on one of my Harleys. Tracked it for 50,000 miles, with 5,000 mile intervals between changes. Tried several different oils. Here's what I learned:
- Use any oil which meets the manufacturer's viscosity and quality specifications (API or JASO).
- Use the quantity specified by the manufacturer.
- Change it per the manufacturer's service schedule.
- Routinely check the oil level to ensure the proper quantity is in the engine.
- Drive/ride, and don't put a second's thought to your oil.
The internet's a big place with a lot of car/truck/motorcycle/boat/powersports forums, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a single instance of oil-related engine failure, assuming that the above 5 points were followed.
FWIW, the only exception I make to those 5 points is for turbo engines. I just can't make myself leave oil in longer than 5,000 miles with a turbo, regardless of what UOA has unquestionably shown me.
I recently got the Castrol EDGE 5w30 because it's amazon prime eligible. Meets LL01 and was just for topping up because.... I was also low on oil on my 2012 CM turbo.
I always use Mobil 1 5W 30 Full Synthetic Oil and buy an OEM Mini filter on ebay. Every 5,000 miles.
Since I've crossed the 73k miles mark, I've started using the "High Mileage" variant of the same oil. Walmart sells it for $25.
Oh, and just replaced the spark plugs -- used the recommended BERU plugs.
In the spirit of clarity, see below.
Oil: Mobil 1 5W 30 Full Synthetic Oil High Mileage
Filter: OEM Mini Cooper Countryman Engine Oil Filter Kit 11427622446
Plugs: BERU 4 Spark Plugs MINI TURBO N18B16 12122293697
OK, I'll start. Castrol Edge 5W-30 and OEM filter every 5K miles.
I agree here with 1 change-
I always change mine at 4K miles. Now I am new to Mini- my wife just got a 07 R56 and I just got my 13 R60, but have been building high HP Toyota's for about 20 yrs. I have always used Castrol, and have always changed at 4000 miles with exception to my IS300 (650 hp) I change at 3000 miles.
NEVER use a K&N filter- they can fail. OEM is always my preferred choice and from what ive seen with these first oil change on the minis we picked up I can see the "overdevelopment" BMW has put into their filter.
As well- talking about filter elements- ive always used OEM- the air flow difference vs particulate filtration is negligible.
as for the oil, 5W30 Castrol, and you could throw in a LiquiMoly oil enhancer if you really want- I typically will throw 1 in from either LiquiMoly or BG
Any owners with an oil pressure gauge that can comment on average bar/PSI they are seeing using their current oil blend?
Hmmm, haven’t thought of that.
I’ll check if the Dash Command App has that option and see where it is. I’m about 1,000 miles before my next oil change so I’ll record a before and after.
I just did another oil chnage, used LiquiMoly special tech from ECS Tuning. without using an additive. seems that it actualy is quieter than when it was just running castrol with the liquimoly aditive. I am pretty sure I messed up and added too much additive last time but it seems quieter. MPG is about the same though.
I think I am going to stay with LiquiMoly, Maybe do the Ceratech additive every other oilchange,
I like ECS- only complaint I have is their long shipping times, and I had to have them send me new plugs since the first set were out of their boces and looked damaged......... the second set they set e took like 2.5 weeks and also were out of box, but since they didnt look too damaged I had them checked for gap and installed. the first set wwere very damaged. 2 of the second set had to be very slightly adjusted. they should take this info and maybe secure the box ends with tape before shipping......
other wise great company and I will continue getting my oilchange products from them
Any owners with an oil pressure gauge that can comment on average bar/PSI they are seeing using their current oil blend?
Originally Posted by MannyJimenez
Hmmm, haven’t thought of that.
I’ll check if the Dash Command App has that option and see where it is. I’m about 1,000 miles before my next oil change so I’ll record a before and after.
Oil pressure reading is not an option in dash command for mini
Recently had a new clutch and control arm bushings installed at dealer.. they did oil change while there. I found it odd they used 0w-30.. car runs fine, though I suspect this blend will burn a bit quicker. I'm watching it like a hawk.
Recently had a new clutch and control arm bushings installed at dealer.. they did oil change while there. I found it odd they used 0w-30.. car runs fine, though I suspect this blend will burn a bit quicker. I'm watching it like a hawk.
I was just at Mini Las vegas yesterday for a rotation on my wifes R56- I overheard the conversation with one of the advisers about this exact thing- 0w-30 0w-20 or 5w30/20
he said in hot weather climates (Vegas) the dealership will put in the 5w-30 but then will switch sometimes depending on the forcast that year to 0W20 if its going to be a cold enough year. He said the dealerships will navigate the weather and usually not really say anything.
he did however seriously tell the person to not ever take their mini back to the service center it was at (probably some Sears or Walmart place) because they put a blend oil in.
so depending on your location and the season- apparently Mini dealerships will sometimes change the weight without asking. but it seemed like 0w 5w and 20/30 are all within recommended specs.
i just watched a video on Mobile 1's new Annual Protection oil- step by step through all their testing and stuff- supposed to be pretty darn good stuff. I wouldnt trust changing at 20k or 1x per year, but it was very interesting to see the testing and what they did.
