I agree that with many engines, changing the oil every 3-4K with just about any detergent oil will be fine, however, with a high RPM engine, I think its best to use a higher quality oil. Of course that gets us back to the definition of a "High Quality OIL" Obviously, a Group 3 oil is not as good as a Group IV oil which is not as good as a Group V oil. Redline is a Group V oil

 

motul 8100 xmax its the only way to go

 

Is it a Group V oil?? How much does it cost? Where can buy it?

 

""On the topic of brake fluid - I change mine at least twice a year, alternating between Motul RBF600 and Ate Blue (so I know I get a complete flush). If you do ANY autocrossing or track days, I highly recommend flushing at LEAST once a year and more often the more track/autocross days you do!""

I'm only getting the S because I want the extra zip. I really don't plan to race. I have owned lots of vehicles over the years and never had to worry about changing brake fluid unless there was a serious brake problem. Is the mini brake fluid reallyonly good for two years?!?

 

I use Amsoil in both my and my wifes mini. I also sell it here at work whenever a mini comes in or someone requests a synthetic oil change .

 

I think that with ABS, you should change brake fluid every 2-3 years to avoid getting crap in the ABS Unit. You plug one of those tiny holes with a small piece of rust and it will cost a fortune to fix. I waited 3 years to flush the fluid out of wife's CR-V and couldn't believe what the old brake fluid looked like.... I'll change the Mini's fluid at least once a year.

 

I agree. We had our Honda and MINI's brakes flushed at the same time a couple years ago and they both look pretty bad now. The MINI's pedal is starting to feel mushy.

 

I swear by Royal Purple

 

Okeee Dokeee! I'll take that as good advice! thanx

 

motul 8100 vmax is 50 dollar for five litters im from maryland and i live by a the disturber to the east coast the shops name is je import performance their number is 410 686 5111 ask for nick and tell him that joe with the mini sent u

 

I really doubt you will see any wear dif between a synthetic and non-synthetic oil. TBS, the big advantage to the syth oils is their more stable and can be used "longer".

FWIW, I put 335K+ miles on my last motor with almost all of those mile on non-synthetic oil.

The only time I've seen an oil breakdown is in an air cooled motor when it was pushed really hard and got too hot.

YMMV
JohnG

 

John: I can't talk about wear difference between dino (non-synthetic) and synthetic, but I can tell you that it would be a lawyer's dream if your engine blew up and you tried to claim the repair on your warranty with dino oil in the engine... especially when MINI has it notated in the entine bay and numerous times in the owners manual to only use synthetics. For the extra $10 or so per oil-change, it's well worth it to protect yourself.

I like the Royal Purple... just because it's easier to see on the dipstick when I check the oil...

 

That might be the best reason to use it.

JohnG

 

I saw today that Redline Oil offers a "Power Pak" for the Mini:
http://www.redlineoil.com/products_p...bCategoryID=22

I don't know if this is new or old news.

 

So is there any general consensus on the best brand of synthetic oil?

Redline...Motul...Castrol ?

 

Redline and Motul are both group V oils. You can't do much better than that.

 

With the understanding that only synthetic oil is to be used in our engines, I believe more important than the name on the bottle, is the viscosity of the oil being used. Each engine is designed, engineered, and manufactured with specific lubrication properties in mind. Internal engine bearings are manufactured to run with a specific type and weight of oil for temperature control and lubricity. Some of us have been around the automotive industry for many years...especially the gurus on this website. Following the manufacturers recommendations for oil usage and recommended change intervals and you won't go wrong. Not saying that you can't do better, but, when was the last time you heard about an engine failure due to any engine oil manufacturers oil not performing the way it was designed and intended? I can't recall any since 1968! Just my .02.

 

motul 8100 vmax is a recomended oil for the mini it is approved for BMW LL-01 besides the oil what oil filter does everyone run why run 50 dollars worth of oil when runin a filter that isnt cut out for the job i use wix myself

 

I stick with the OEM filter; especially with possible fitment issues with the canister design. Wix do make good filters though.

 

Has anyone tried German Castrol? Bobstheoilguy loves the stuff, and I found some at Autozone. I think I'll try it next time unless someone has a horror story or something.

 

That's good stuff. Group IV pure synthetic. I'll be switching to it on my next oil change (that is, if my local Autozone carries it).