I just picked up my new 2012 Midnight Black JCW, and it's a banging hot car. I plan to get my first oil change @1200 miles, and then at every 5000 miles. The Mini mechanic that I go to for oil changes ( not the dealer ) uses Amsoil fully synthetic. I'm wondering if I should purchase Mobil 1, or Castrol/Mini oil and have him use those instead of the Amsoil? The Amsoil is rated very well on many sites, and the mechanic specializes in Mini's, BMW's.I think as long as I'm doing oil changes every 5000miles, then the Amsoil should be perfectly fine. I'd appreciate any feed back on this. I've seen lot's of threads on oil change frequency, but not much on differing brands other than what Mini recommends. Thanks

 

I plan on running Amsoil 5w30 synthetic in my new JCW coupe. Plenty of race guys I know use it and swear by it. If its go enough for road racing, its good enough for me

 

If your are doing short 5K OCI's you can run any old oil. Hard to beat the MINI brand for price and quality IMHO. I run it, even though I am a Mobil 1 zealot in my Chevy's on down to my Honda lawn mower....

 

I am using OEM BMW oil from the dealer and they are doing the oil changes. Great idea to perform an early oil change I waited until 2k and have been doing changes a little before 5k since we mainly drive in town for short trips.

 

I've never run it...but Amsoil is good stuff.

I've always run Mobil1 0W-40

 

Most of the track guys I know prefer Amsoil/Redline over the Castrol Green and all three of those over Mobil1. I'm running Amsoil right now but switch between it and Redline, depending if I can good a good deal on Redline.

But as the other posters have noted, unless you are hammering the car for those 5,000 miles, any of the synthetics noted should be fine for the motor if you change the oil that often.

 

until the warranty expires, i will only use an oil that carries the bmw ll-01 speced by bmw/mini and filters purchased from the dealer (my dealer charges $11.28 with the crush gasket and o-ring)

my 03/2012 OBC is calling out 9000 mile oil change intervals, so i will be doing my second change at 4500, then the dealer at 9000, etc

i will be using the mobil 1 european formula 0w40, the only mobil 1 that has the LL-01 rating, for my changes, and have a log book to document both my changes and purchases of oil/filters (keeping the receipts)

i guess the dealer will use the bmw/mini 5w30 oil

scott

 

I run Mobil 1 0/40W europeon formula since it's easier to find here and is still certified as Mini apporved.
Also, I change it at 6K intervals, not 15K.

 

I used Royal Purple 5W-40 and didn't really care for it. I switched back to my tried and true M1 0W-40 (used it on ALL of my VWs) and the engine was quieter and smoother. I may try the MINI Castrol for its first "official" oil change and see if I like it. For my in-between changes I'll stay with M1 and OEM filters unless I like the MINI Castrol better.