ok i open my bonnet and take a look at my oil dip stick and my oiis straight black ,i have a lil over 13,000 miles and was wating for my free warranty oil change ,but decided to do it myself ,i motor my waydown to the local pepboys,grab 4 quarts of Q horsepower 5W30 synthetic oil,and ask someone that works there to help me get the rght oil filter, he ran over and grabed me a, Purolator L15465, ....so heres my questions.


1.this filter is tiny! did i get the right one?

2.did i get enough oil?

3.i was asked if i had the dual or single over head cam,or something like that ,i said dual thinking MCS/dual/ MC/single/ no oil filer came up when he typed in dual,so he tried single then found the filter. whats the difference from dual and single over head cam?

 

I wouldn't use that brand of oil in my MINI. Do you have an R50, R53, R56?

1. Not sure, show a pic and part number

2. No, I use 6 in my R53, I can't see the R56 using less

3. Not sure, answer #1

 

r56 thats why i posted in 2nd gen.(not to sound sarcastic)

cant do pic today maybe tomarrow

L15465 is the part number purolator is the brand,im taking it back and just orderin one online from outmotoring

whats wrong with the oil? its name brand....what about royal purple?what would you use?

 

R56 takes like 4.4quarts btw

 

That's interesting, it surprises me. I wonder why so little..

sorry, you're right! I'm not used to NAM, I'm usually on m|u. I'll make sure note the subforum from now on

In the beginning I used OEM BMW synth, which I was lucky enough to get on discount, but now I'm using Royal Purple. I've been told that the newfangled R56 motors do not need oil changes for many miles. I was confused by that comment, but I'm starting to see that it was false, and they need regular oil changes.

 

its the cars first oil change you think royal purple will do?

 

If I knew about RP I would have used it from the start. As they say "you get what you pay for"

Might as well start with the best and stay with the best if you've got the resources. I'm sure there will be others who will chime in at some point.

 

wait an see

 

I would only use the OEM oil filter. Most people here will tell you that as well.

Also, I use Mobil 1 0W-40. It's only of the only oils which meets the European ACEA A3/B3 standard from what I recall. Also, coming from the Audi and Porsche world...it is a very popular oil with those guys, and it is used with great success in the Audi 4-cyl turbo motors.

 

ow-40?!

the manual say 5w-30

 

Good for the manual! The manual also states the oil should meet ACEA A3/B3 standards I believe, and as far as I know, the only 5w-30 that meets it is BMW's German formulated Castrol...which is different than if you were to go buy Castrol Synthetic 5W-30 off the shelf. Mobil's OW-40 does however.

I'm about to do my 3rd oil change with 0W-40. And I only have 13k miles . You won't find me going 15k on ANY oil. There are plenty of good oil threads in the R56 Coupe forum...hours of reading for ya! I know a decent number of R56 guys using 0W-40.

 

sk8er... it sounds like you aren't too knowledgeable on the whole oil world (not trying to be mean, but only honest). it seems you're still young (as am I, but referring to your earlier email saying your mom will be emailing me.. im kind of sketched out, but regardless) I wouldn't suggest doing your own oil change if you don't know the differences between 5w-40 and 0w-40, just because its recommended in the manual doesnt mean it has to be best for it - say you live in weather that avgs 0-5 *f in winter, i'd take the 0w40 over 5w-40..
plus, things like dohc and sohc, a simple google search will teach you the basics of the differences.

I can understand wanting to learn (as I did my first oil change 4 years ago on my first car), but it'll be more beneficial with someone next you who knows what they are doing to guide you and teach you tips versus trying to gather information from online and trying to tackle the situation yourself.

just my .02

but on that note, i'm due for my own oil change! blah, can't imagine waiting the 15k or w/e they want you to. i'm at 8k now after 5 months
loving every mile!

 

Keep in mind the dealer will change you oil and filter at the milege countdown (10,000-20,000) or 1 year after purchase for free. I changed mine at 5000 and 10,000, they did the one around 15,000 (at 1 year) and said they will do it again when the countdown says so. (Looking like 20,000).

 

I use German Castrol 0W-30 in my R56 MCS. Although it is not 5W-30, this oil still meets the requirements of BMW/MINI. I have reason to believe this oil is better than the BMW/MINI branded 5W-30. This stuff is so good it has its own forum on "Bob is the Oil Guy":

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...122607&fpart=1

 

My countdown says 5k miles still I think...which would put it at like 18k miles if I had waited for the first oil change.

Haven't had the car a year yet, so no free one there.

Changed the break-in oil at about 2k miles. Did it again at 5k, 8k, and soon to do one now on 13k. Getting closer to that free one!

 

I second the 4.4 quarts for the R56; that's what mine took.

There's a great 'how-to' R56 oil change article in the 1st issue of NAM Alliance (but it says to add 5 quarts of oil). Click the link in the upper left corner of this page to navigate to NAM Alliance if you're intersted.

 

im not knowledgeable in oil but know how to change it...,and if your sketched out about me getting my mom to buy the auto sport button mod from you confront me privatly why go off topic when you can p.m. me

 

SK8, guid here Mini Tech. do not do the aftermarket oil products junk. I hav soo many issues when customers don't use the right stuff. go to the dealer
buy the OEM stuff. You get a new oring correct size filtre and oil drain plug
washer. Min takes 5.0 qts they like 5 qts I do up to 6-10 maint eveyday.
trust me 5 is pefect. for the rest of you out there magic number is 5 QTS.
Didn't just fall off the back of a truck. I have 17 yrs as a Cert tech with Mercedes and 3 yrs with BMW/MINI. so take my trust as good salt. As far as the oil I agree with alot of guys. i am mobil 1 guy myself.But the OEM oil that
BMW AG offer is good stuff also.

 

guid, help me out here. I drained my oil for a good half-hour with the canister loose and only had that bit left in the oil filter housing that I soaked out with a rag. When I refilled the oil (OEM) it only took a little less than 4.5 quarts. Ran the engine; still showed full. It really has not budged from that position in almost 4,000 miles.

Did I not get all the oil drained out? Am I missing something? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I'm trying to install the Alta boost tubes, but the cold side seems to be short. If the top is in place, the bottom half won't reach. Should I expect this to be an extremely tight fit that will require me to pull a bit to get everything in place or am I doing something wrong?

thanks,

wolf

 

You have to really work it. It's a PIA.

 

Appreciate it- was worried I'd break something. And, apologies for posting in the wrong area- first time poster.

 

+1

its a p.i.a.