So here is an oil analysis done on my last oil change. Everything to me looks as expected, or better. My 03 S has over 251,000 miles on it and I have all but one time changed the oil when the OBC indicated it is time. Usually between 15,000 and 21,000 miles. This last one was a bit longer at 25,000 miles. I'm sure this horrifies some here, but too bad - I have had both the oil pan and the valve cover off in the past and there are no signs of increased wear or build up of sludge. I wish I would have started doing these labs before now, but plan on making it a routeen each time I change my oil....... Likely sometime this fall.

Discuss -


Nik

 

Very nice. I'm using the RP as well, but I've been using their 12k mile recommended interval. When I was using the MINI branded Castrol I followed the OBC.

 

Interesting. Not bad for a 25k run. I'm going for a 3k/3month interval whichever comes first. Since my car is going to get an average of about 500miles or less, realistically more like 1500 mile interval. I might actually get mine tested next oil change since I bought my car with 79k miles already on it.

 

i just ordered a testing kit - good thing to do every once in a while.. also if you are buying a new car!

 

What oil filters have you been using?

Good deal on your long run!!

 

Nik;
251K and that kind of report? My hat is off to you, sir. Very well done.

 

How many quart(s) of oil is added between oil changes...........

 

OEM

Between 1 and 1 1/2

Nik

 

Without TAN & TBN analysis the report is incomplete.

 

Confused.

Is this to prove something or to just throw that info out there?

Without testing against other Motor Oils it's all water under the bridge.

Just asking

 

Cool I never have done an oil analysis, but figured what the hell I will try it next time. Unfortunately I just changed my oil, I use Redline 5/30 all the time. Interestingly, I sent an email to BSL and they replied that the president of Blackstone Labs actually daily drives a Mini Cooper, and he loves it.

 

Interesting.... How much was the test? You just send them a sample? Guess I should google this, huh?

 

Information really, with the possibility of proving something. I wanted to let it be known what ones oil is like if you follow the OBC service interval. Most people on this site think, regardless of synthetic or Dino oil, tha the change interval should be between 3k and 7k. When I got my mini in 03 I decided to follow the OBC service interval and see what happened, I figured the 15,000 service interval was about right considering that the Honda I had just gotten rid of had a service interval of 7,500 on Dino oil. Most of my changes have been between 15k and 21k with this one a little longer.

It is not about comparing to other oils, its about what is happening to your motor when you follow the OBC. I would expect very similar results from Mobil 1, or any other synthetic.

I figured I had enough miles on my car that I could show that I was, or wasn't damaging my engine. I will continue to send a sample in from now on. However, that will be likely another 9 months, and close to 270,000 miles.
Test was $25, all you do is request a kit, they send you one, (a sample container) and you send them the sample back. Very simple.

Nik

 

VERY INTERESTING.... GOOD INFO!

 

X2 - Always wanted to see how these cars are on oil with a 20,000 oil change interval - And here you have a stellar report at 25,000 miles as recommended by the on board computer. With the MINI still going strong at 251,000 miles plus.

Fantastic!

 

xsmini -

Congrats! UOA looks good for 25k-mi. I second K-huevo's statement that missing TAN & TBN info would give a complete picture as they indicate the Base / Acid level.

FYI - xsmini has an idyllic environment for driving - no traffic and mostly highway equates low stress on the motor and drive-train.

The current batch of oil (M1 5w-30) has been in my MCSc for almost 8k-mi and 20 months. I'm considering sending a sample to Blackstone to see if the additive package is depleted.

 

While that is fine miles wise, MINI and most car makers recommend no more than 1 year OCI's.

 

This old thread was recently linked to a current one. I have to ask.

Why doesn't the oil test have the TAN & TBN information?

 

With Blackstone, one has to pay for it. I guess the OP didn't do that.

However, Blackstone said that TBN is more indicative of the remaining life of the additive package than TAN in gas engines.

Here is mine with TBN... https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...32-months.html

 

How about NEVER changing your oil.....

122,635 Mile OCI

 

I hope Sonny's oil change didn't break Dad's truck.

It's good to see some actual data on the condition of the oil after x number of miles.
I hope that others will have their oil analyzed and post their results.
It's still not a scientific study that applies to everyone's car, but at least the analysis gives some actual facts.

I just got my test kit from Blackstone and will send in a sample at about 6K miles from last oil change at 35K.

I have followed the OBC in good faith as I have cared for my MINI as instructed by BMW/MINI. In 35K miles, the oil has been changed 3 times, once a year, at about 15K intervals. I have not abused or neglected my engine, but I may have followed bad advice from the manufacturer, or not.
I am worried now.

The oil change interval/type of oil controversy, fully covered on many other threads, is interesting and thought provoking, but short on actual facts.
My consciousness has certainly been raised.

Things I keep in mind:
Synthetic oil is not dino oil and my MINI is not my father's Oldsmobile.
There are turbo failures due to oil clogging in engines like mine (N14.)
There are tensioner chain failures in engines like mine.
BMW/MINI has shortened the oil change interval to 10K miles in the new MINIs, but hasn't adjusted the OCI in my 09 Clubman S.
Many people don't seem to be checking their oil level regularly, if at all.
The dipstick is really hard to read; readings may not be accurate for those who are checking.
MINI, according to my SA, considers 1 quart of oil per 1K miles normal.
I have never had to add oil in between oil changes, according to my reading of my oil level.

My car runs great!
BUT-
What is its future reliability?

 

I said I would update this when I got another oil test done. Well I finally got around to it. This time I had the TBN done for those who wanted to see it. With over 296,000 miles and over 22,000 miles between changes everything is still looking great.

Nik

 

Excellent results.

 

Nik, thanks for posting your results! These look similar to the test i did years ago. I'm not sure why people seem to think that the oil can't handle the task when it clearly can. I'm sure the next argument will be that the oil filter can't handle it.

 

Hehe - that argument was just trotted out in a thread I'm in elsewhere on the 'net.