About to do Smudge's first oil change (3500 miles). Is there a "best oil" for the R56 MCS. I would say money is no object, but obviously it is.
There is no track time expected, just day-to-day use
Thanks in advance

 

I use MINI's recommendation., Castrol synthetic.

 

Any of the top brand synthetics are recommended. I use Mobil1.

 

Recommended by who? Personally, I don't think it matters, as long as you use a top brand, but MINI recommends Castrol (if you look at the label by the dipstick) and Mini Oil (if you look on the top of the motor) for the R56 anyway.

 

What I meant was, is there something better than MINI's recomended oil, but thanks for the input

 

I used to swear by Mobil1, but they've since changed their formulation, and I no longer am totally loyal to it anymore...

 

LOL. Of course, that is opinion, which I am sure you will get a lot of.

 

I use MOTUL 5W40 or ELF 5W40

 

If money is no object, then I would use Red Line motor oil.

 

All my cars, street or track get MOTUL 8100 5w40.

EDIT:

Link
http://www.turbolubricants.com/products_auto.php
http://www.turbolubricants.com/Motul_TECH/Car%20engine%20oil/8100%20X-cess%205W-40%203682%20(GB).PDF

Also they have a BMW Long-Life 01 Oil grade, 5w-30..the flash point is the same as the 8100 but it is less viscous at 100degee C.
http://www.turbolubricants.com/Motul...228%20(GB).pdf

 

I just started using Castrol Syntec 5w-50 Full Synthetic with a NAPA oil filter. The NAPA filter is constructed better than the OEM version.

 

I've only had my MINI for a little over three weeks now, so I've got a ways to go before my first change, but I ran only Castrol 10-30 conventional oil in my 1998 Honda Civic (which I bought in 2000), and when I traded it in for my MINI, it had 250064 miles on it, and was still running perfectly...true, it's a Honda, but still, pretty impressive.

Of course, I'll be running synthetic in my MINI, and while my 15000 mile change is covered by the maintenance plan, I'm thinking of changing it myself at 7500 "just because" it's the first change - no question in my mind, I'll be using Castrol synthetic.

 

Huh???

Isn't that what I said.........pick a name brand synthetic.

Must be spending too much time online reading NAM posts............

 

I use Mobile 1 in all our vehicles & have for 20 years. It's been good to me. No problems with it for me.

 

Just as an FYI, BMW/MINI 5w-30 is not the same as Castrol Syntec 5w-30. The MINI oil has much higher specifications. I haven't checked lately at the dealer but I'm pretty sure it's actually priced competitively. If your near by, it might be something to check out.

 

I decided to stick with the MINI branded oil from the dealer, based on hearsay on this forum. The following is what I've picked up from several threads here. It may be true, it may not.

The MINI branded 5-30 oil is a formulation of Castrol synthetic, but rumor is that it is formulated to a European spec. which is heavier than USA 5-30.

Mobil has two Mobil 1 oils. Mobil 1 and Mobil 1 Extended. Those used to the old Mobil 1 are used something closer to Mobil 1 Extended. The Extended version is the only one recommended for 15,000 oil change intervals, so probably the only one that would be close to the MINI recommendation.

I found that MINI oil from the dealer is less expensive than the regular Mobil 1 from an auto supply store.

 

do we have to change the oil when it reaches 3500.. mine is 3331 now.. hmmm or wait till the service?

 

BMW will tell you to wait until the service light says to change it. From the 4 Minis that we have owned and run I'd suggest a change every 5000 miles. The dealership will use Castrol Synthetic MINI oil. We use AMSOIL 5W30 full synthetic in all our Minis. Never had any issues!

 

What I have found, based on numerous threads in NAM is that no-one has had a problem using either the oil or the service intervals recommended by MINI. The few actual oil tests I have seen confirm there is no reason not to do so. So, if you want to spend the money and the time, it's purely a personal preference.

 

Probably does not matter that much which oil you use as long as it meets the min requirements. Most failures are not related to the oil.
I even heard a guy on Car Talk one time asking if he should change his oil after 105,000 miles. He had a Honda Civic which he just checked the level and kept going. The advice was to continue.

 

Engine Oil

Castrol GTX
API*,SL 5W-30 - Maximum Protection Against Viscosity and Thermal



Castrol GTX High Mileage
API*,SL 5W-30 - For Engines with Over 75,000 Miles






Castrol SYNTEC
API*,SL 5W-30 - Outperforms ALL Leading Motor Oils






Castrol SYNTEC BLEND
API*,SL 5W-30 - Added Protection for Frequent Short Trips






Castrol SYNTEC
API*,SL 5W-40 - Outperforms ALL Leading Motor Oils

 

For off-the-shelf Castrol, I'd use Syntec 0w-30 (German Castrol). Available at Autozone. It has BMW LL and VW certification, plus it's a thick 30 weight.

 

So did I just screwup by toping off with a half quart of mobil 1 ?

 

OH MY GOD!!! Yes you did!!!

I'll take your ruined MINI off your hads for 20% of book value. Only because you're a 5th gear NAM menber.

Oh heck korby, don't worry it's OK. You did zero harm.

 

Could anyone elaborate on 0W-30 oil. I cannot decide what to pour in. You could for the 0W-30 or 5W-30 Castrol SLX IV (this is the best oil money can buy; don't know if it is on sale in USA). My engine has a bit over 100.000 km and don't know if the 0W-30 is still suitable for the engine. Any thoughts?

Thanks!