What a genteel bunch you all are. On any motorcycle board I could name Scott's asbestos undies would have been breached by the end of the first page.

Good info here & thanks for the time & effort to post your results.

 

No more updates from me, sorry. The place that was doing my analyses has raised their prices to the point where I'm no longer having analyses done "for fun" at every oil change.

I've settled on 10,000 mile intervals using the BioSyn and have been happy. I'm at 70,000 miles now. I continue to be amazed at how long the car's computer wants to stretch out oil changes. The OBC-recommended oil change coming up at 72k miles will only be the *4th* recommended oil change.

 

I've run through my 5gal of BioSyn and moved on to Royal Purple. I ran one load of Biosyn to 10K to test it (including one track day) and it was WAAAAAY over roasted when tested (by the same guru ScottRiqui used). I don't think there's anything wrong with the Biosyn - but if i'm going to have to do more frequent changes anyway due to my driving habits, I'll opt for something I can get locally as needed vs. shipping 5 gal at a time. But for folks who don't flog their cars like I do, it might be a fine option for extended change intervals.

 

I just switched from MINI branded to Castrol Syntec 0W-30 European Formula (Made in Germany). Auto Zone carries it. I was surprised at how much engine noise went down. It will probably be a year before I get it analyzed. I only drive about 5K miles per year.

 

That's the real GC (German Castrol). The OP is confused thinking that he was running GC when he really wasn't. GC has never been made in 5w30.

 

Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? Sounds similar in principle to BioSyn....

By way of comparison...:

BioSyn 5w-30:
Viscoscity index ASTM D2270................... 177
Flashpoint ASTM D-92............................. 215C
Pour Point ASTM D-97............................. -40C

G-Oil 5w-30:
Viscoscity index ASTM D2270................... ???
Flashpoint ASTM D-92............................. 223C
Pour Point ASTM D-97............................. -43C

Official motor oil of IMSA's American Le Mans Series?

 

A little thin for a 30wt with only 10.4cst at 100C. It's made from cow fat. RLI makes their oils from plants.

 

so by this thread what oil you guys recommend?

 

An oil the meets BMW/Mini specs... And nothing less than that.

Mobil 1 0w40 is great stuff, easy to get, and meets the specs for a turbo/euro/BMW/Mini engine. Often you can score it on sale for $6/qt.

It's what I've used in my (now) high mile Audi 1.8t since forever... Never had any issues... That car cooks the crap out of the oil. I had the cam cover off a few months ago. Clean as a whistle inside...

I don't go by gimmicks with oil, I go by the certifications on the back of the bottle or what the manufacturer recommends.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...Number=2048110

And this was most useful;

http://garywright.smugmug.com/MotorC...276830_nmL5nsH

That being said, I plan to do 5K changes with Mobil 0w40.

 

Thanks a lot danjreed I had in mind either mobil1 0w40 or pennzoil 0w40

 

fwiw, the correctly certified Pennzoil for MINI is the 5w40. I plan to switch back to it on my next oil change.

 

sorry i put 0w40 its 5w40

 

Careful, that's for the n12 engine, not the n18 (current gen).

 

I have a 2008 Mini Cooper s isn't that a n16 n14 I really don't know that number lol

 

this is it right?

 

The 2008 MCS is the N14 (N14b16 to be exact). The non S is the N12. The 2011+ has the N18 motor.

 

Consider http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I've used them on and off over the past 20 years, and they are are relative bargain at $25 / kit. Order the kit only for free. Pay only when sending the oil.

I just sent my Mobile-1 0w40 oil for analysis the other day.
Will report once the data comes back.

a

 

How you like mobil1 0w40?

 

You'll be fine with the 0w40 Mobil 1 if you have one of the older motors. It's backwards compatible.

I prefer it for the turbo... If you have a supercharged car, the supercharger has its own oil supply... So the motor oil does not get as "beat up". (Keep in mind to change the charger oil as required). Still it's good oil that meets the specs.

 

 

Oh is not the same oil supply from the motor? And how do I change that oil for the supercharger ? Can you point me to the right direction

 

flako,

Unless you have a convertible, which it does not sound like from your posts, you do not have a supercharger. You have a turbocharger.

The Mobil1 0W40 will work fine in your vehicle and there are many people that us it. I even used it in mine for about 15k miles for one reason - it is very easy to find locally. Since I was dealing with an oil leak, I wanted something I could grab at a local store on demand.

The only other oil I could find locally on a consistent basis was Royal Purple 5W30. I ran that for about 45k miles.

The Pennzoil 5W40 may be available locally where you are, but for me I have to order it and have it shipped.

You can also go with the Castrol 0W30 European Formula. Sometimes I see it on store shelves locally, though I have never used it.

 

Yea it's a hard top and I can find easily down here pennzoil mobil1 castrol and royal purple. I see in the forums lots of people use mobil1 an no complains ill give them a try

 

I don't understand why you guys are worried about using "long Life" oil when you change yours every 6K?

I use Mobil 1 5W30, and change it once a year or every 10K......works beautifully. I have just under 50K on my 2009 Clubman S and my car gets track use 3 -5 times a year. I can look inside the valve cover thru the cap and it looks as new, and the oil coming out of the sump feels clean and slick - not gritty or black. My car uses less than half a quart of oil between changes too.....

I think the "European" or "Long life" appelations requirement only refer to cars that will be run according to the computer based service intervals, which can go up to 18K or more between changes.

 

It leaves a bitter after-taste in the mouth, followed by cramps and massive diarrhea.

Oh, you meant w.r.t. the engine?
Honestly - could not tell the difference.
But it has worked great on multiple engines I've owned over the past 20+ years. And is widely available.

Mobile1 is a great brand and top quality product. But there are equally good brands out there, so I would not fret too much about "my oil is oilier than yours" debate. Just get the Synthetic that meets Mini spec (below), and change it before the high heat and stress of a turbo engine degrades its protective properties.

Mini's manual (page 108) has 2 applicable oil requirements:
1). only use oils with API SM specification or higher
2). approved oils belong to the 5W-40 and 5W-30 classes.

For #1: Mobile1 exceeds American Petroleum Institute (API) highest SN spec, never mind SM: http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...l_1_0W-40.aspx
http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/...ain_Terms.aspx

For #2: Mobile1 0W-40 delivers wider viscosity range with cold viscosity (better cold start protection), yet also meets the Mini-spec for high temperature protection of 40W viscousity oil.

HTH,
a