I searched and didn't see anything of this nature despite being what seems to be the most popular na thread topic .

My mini dealer told me that I could change the oil as often as I want (at my own expense of course) but he could only recommend it after the initial 15k miles (or whatever) oil change. He said he'd only seen problems with cars where the owners had changed their oil sooner. The claim was that somehow the used oil somehow helped the engine break in. So he wasn't trying to sell me something (immediately anyway) and seemed otherwise well informed about the mechanical features of the car. I can't figure out the logic behind this ... has anyone else heard this from their dealer?

-Alex

 

Never heard this one before. There isn't any difference in the factory oil to the dealership oil. I've had many many many clients change their oil at 1200 miles with no ill effects.

 

I actually heard something of this nature and read about it on one of the big oil sites (can't find it nor do I remember). However, it went something like this.

Synthetics polymers don't break down as quickly thus people that changed their oils under 3K actually caused more wear to their engines then people that went longer. Now I don't know how much of it I buy but logically it does sound like a possibility. I can't think that it would be all that much in wear either.

 

If yours is a turbo MINI, change it more often than the factory recommendations.......lube tube for these turbos can get gunked up inside from contaminated oil eventually causing buildup and the eventual failure of the turbo.....but 3k miles is way too early and bit overkill IMO if you are just a typical driver.

May also be a good idea to add a OCC to the vent system to aid in the prevention of carbon buildup as well.

 

I think that I'll go with the first oil change at around 5-7k which seems like a good compromise.

Gray Raven - I do have a turbo. what does OCC stand for?

 

Oil Catch Can

 

Let me see if I understand this...fresh, clean oil can cause more wear than old dirty oil...

 

I don't think the oil causes wear. The idea is that the synthetics provide better protection after a few thousand miles than during the initial miles after an oil change.

Think of it like your tires or brakes that perform better after a few heat cycles.

 

Actually yes... You are not thinking at a molecular level. The article discussed that polymers did not breakdown to their ideal levels until after 3K thus causing wear. Now, we aren't talking about oil that is worn and old just new to about mid life. Of course not doing and oil change can cause a more wear than new.... As I said, I read this a few years ago and no telling where the article is at now but it seems sound. Is this the case? Maybe, maybe not but to just blow it off because you don't understand it....

 

I have always run conventonal oil for the first 3k miles for breakin then swithched to syn oil after that. I read about the mini using oil and or running out of oil and having a engine failure. I would think this is from the rings not seating and people not checking there oil. I am about to order a mcs and the dealer is telling me not to worry about maintence and just bring it in @15k miles. If you did that with a Honda Toyota Ford Nisson they would have an engine failure also. I do not understand Mini's thought.

 

I was under the impression that once synthetic has been run in a car, you can't go back to normal oil.

 

Folks, Go to the website Bob the oil guy. It is the most complete site I have ever seen and goes into all aspects of Oil life and oil analysis. Lots of info there but very well worth your time.

 

Bob the oil guy is awesome but I don't remember any references to this odd idea.

 

So if synthetic causes more wear for the first 3000 miles, why use it? I cannot see oil changing molecular structure, that just doesn't sound right.
As soon as oil is put in an engine, it begins getting acids, water, and dirt from the air and combustion process. So at 3000 miles, it has at least 50% more of the pullutants suspended in it. Dirt, pollutants, and heat is what really wears and engine more than anything else, so here we have oil with more dirt and pollutants in it, and it gives better lubrication. I really don't buy that!
I would love to see the information on this subject!

 

I changed the oil in my '09 MCS at about 3K. When rubbing some between my fingers I could feel the gritiness and it was black as coal.....

From then on I change it at 7,500 mile intervals or about twice a year - spring and fall - and now it looks clean and clear - and no gritiness. I think the gritiness I felt may have partially been due to a failed chain tensioner, which was also replaced about 3K.

But I'm gonna stay with my theory and my schedule....oh, and my car uses no measurable amount of oil in between changes.

BTW, let me re-emphasize my recommendation that you buy the factory oil filter - at least while you're still in warranty - that way there can't be any warranty complications if you have a failure.

 

I haven't bought the study to read all the gory details, but here is one study on the improved protection provided by oil as it ages:

The Effect of Oil Drain Interval on Valvetrain Friction and Wear

From the abstract provided: "the results showed that the aged engine oils provide lower friction and much improved wear protection capability. These improvements were observed as early as the 3000 mile drain interval and continued to the 15000 mile drain interval."

Another one that I have not read through all the details (as they don't seem to be available) and it is quite old, so not sure the findings would still apply to modern engine oils (or synthetics?):

Engine Wear Trending Using Radioactive Tracer Technology, 03-9126

From some of their findings: "Testing with partially stressed oil, which contained some wear debris, produced less wear than testing with clean oil."

They don't provide info about intervals and such. But it does go to the question of fresh oil not being as effective as oil that has been in use (up to a point obviously).

This study:

Paradise Garage - Mobil1 Test Results

includes this claim: "Engine wear actually decreases as oil ages. This has also been substantiated in testing conducted by Ford Motor Co. and ConocoPhillips, and reported in SAE Technical Paper 2003-01-3119. What this means is that compulsive oil changers are actually causing more engine wear than the people who let their engine's oil get some age on it."

I found the abstract for the SAE Technical Paper referenced, but didn't see anything useful in there (guess you have to buy the full report). I noted that several of the researchers on that paper work for Ford and ConocoPhillips, so not sure the implication of three different organizations reaching that conclusion is entirely accurate.

Also, even though Paradise Garage shows the most wear occurs during the first 3,000 miles after an oil change, I'm not convinced that supports the claim they make.

I've seen theories on why these results are occuring including the need for the additive package to properly bond to the surfaces it is trying to protect needing a certain amount of time/use to become optimal and be properly bonded. I've also seen a theory that fresh oil contains some larger molecules that breakdown during the initial period becoming smaller (and more numerous) which improves protection.

 

Thanks JC!

That is the darndest thing I have ever heard, and totally against everything I have ever heard! But it still would bother me to know that all that dirt, gunk, and black stuff is in my engine.
I think I'm going to do the same intervals that I do on my Toyota's, every 5000 miles. When I drain them at 5000, the oil is jet black, and I feel that it gives you the most bang for the buck, but still keeps your engine fairly clean.
Thanks for the information!

 

I change mine once a year. The first at 3,900 miles, second at 9,000 and the third at 14,000.

 

I wish I only put about 6K on my car a year. Haha. Let's see, I bought my car in October 2010 and it had 39K on it. It is February 21st and I have about 51.5K on it...Of course about 3K of that was a roundabout trip from Charleston, SC to NYC and back. I am in the 7.5-8K between changes club. Just got a change in November, and I am going in tomorrow to get another.

 

what brand of oil filter, air filer do you recommend. I am going to start with Mobil 1 syn for the oil itself

New to the mini and I have a used one, 06 mini S convertible

thanks
K ice

 

I would use the factory oil filters. Check Ebay, Morristown MINI has a store there and has pretty good prices on them in a 3 pack. Lots of choices on air filters, check Alta's for an upgraded model or Amazon for Mann filters. Mobil 1 0w-40 is the only thing I use. It's also the only Mobil 1 weight that meets MINI's requirements.

 

I use factory filters (Mann) and Amsoil High Performance.

 

Thanks for the advice. I will check that out.

K ice