Hey folks! Just had my first experience with Blackstone Labs for oil analysis. Can't say enough about how well organized they are from the initial sample kit delivered to the house all the way through mailing instructions back and the quick turn on a PDF report and full copy through the mail.
They were even kind enough to provide a brief phone consultation once I received the results. Too often it seems like folks take time to point out when things go wrong regarding customer service experiences. This is one gone RIGHT.
Kudos to the fine people over there.

 

Yup, good to see giving complements about nice experiences.

Now to the point, the reason why I opened this post was that I was hoping to see your results. Your driving style and whether it was your first oil change and things like that. Thanks!

 

How many miles were on the oil?

 

Hey guys...thanks for checking in.
The back story on the car....2010 R56 customized and ordered new in June '10. It's a LOCAL driver only. Coming up on five years and the odometer may hit 15,000.
Have been very specific on changing oil and filter twice per year (I'm in THAT camp ).
Typing this reply on my iPad so hoping the image shows below.
As you will see, the first series of readings is really meant to set the baseline for the vehicle. At the time of testing, there were 1,018 miles for the "oil use interval". Blackstone advised, based on mileage, to consider skipping the upcoming June change and aim for next Christmas for a follow up test.
Hope this report helps our community get an idea of how detailed the results are along with the comments provided by the testing team.

 

What's the goal when doing oil analysis?
If you get bad results, do you sell the car? Change to a different brand oil? Or filter? Increase the oil change interval?

 

I've never done this but if I was going too I'd do the analysis at say 5000, 7500, 10,000 and if that one was pretty good do another at 13000 or so to see what if any changes there are..

 

Highly recommend! BlackStone makes it easy to understand with a great brief narration of the findings and what they show. Engine oil is the life-blood of your car, and you can learn alot from them.

We use them all the time.

 

This thread should go to 2nd gen mini. I was hoping to see an oil analysis of the 3rd gen (2014/2015 models) with more miles on them.

Anywas, your oil analysis is to measure the baseline, or close to it, right? Isn't fuel level in your oil a bit high for a 1000 mile run? Were Blackstone labs concerned about this?

I thought of doing an oil analysis on my car, but then though I'd rather just change the oil for that money and not worry about it. Besides, I'm on a lease so I might end up returning the car after three years. Plan is to keep it though if there's no serious problems.

 

Hey, hp79. Thanks for pointing out that I probably have this in the wrong forum! That's what an early morning post will get you I suppose!
Yea, the higher than avg fuel in the oil is most likely attributed to the short trips the car takes as opposed to frequent highway/long journeys. They advised that would be expected and to maybe make a point of taking her out once a week for thirty minutes or so, at speed, to remedy the extra fuel present.

 

A result of the Mini's flawed PCV system is excess fuel in the oil as it does not properly evacuate the combustion byproducts as soon as they enter as blow-by....this and soot and carbon will generally show as elevated. Water & sulfuric acid are a biggie as well.

These compounds must be evacuated as soon as they enter or they quickly settle and accumulate in the oil.

 

Always use only a premium full synthetic, not a blend. Premium oil filter and of course increased oil change intervals, but improving the PCV system functions are going to correct this.

 

I imagine that someone paying for oil analysis is already using a quality synthetic oil and name brand filter. I still don't see what you can do with this info.

 

The analysis is a tool. We use it in all our race engines to see what is happening. We can determine if a bearing is "going away" just by the metal content well before any noise is detectable, and same with say a lifter roller or cam lobe (steel VS alum/brass/copper, etc. ) as well as any coolant that may be entering, etc. It is like a blood analysis for your body....if used for this, it is extremely helpful.

We also use it in all our tow vehicles and personal vehicles. Being an engine builder all internals are always on my mind. So, in summary, I would say this is for those that want assurance nothing is prematurely wearing in the engine components to head off an expensive failure when a simple replacement will head it off. With a vehicle with known issues such as the mini, then it shows if there is above normal fuel, water, etc. that can be addressed with modifying the system causing this, or simply for peace of mind.

 

Thanks!!
I see how it can make sense if you're willing to tear down an engine if that's what it's looking like.