What Syn oil are you using on your mini's. I bought the oem oil filters and will have to do this myself. The nearest Mini dealership is 2 hr away. Thanks

 

Owners manual has a list of recommended oils. I use Mobil 1 0w40 myself, just because it's the most readily available of those on the list around here.

 

Dealers use MINI Oil which is a blend designed by Castrol Syntec W/MINI name tags. See manual for weights and amount. Much cheeper to DIY!!!

 

I use Mobil1 0-40 as well

 

I have run the MINI branded oil, Royal Purple, Pennzoil, and right now I have some Mobil1. My plan is to go back to the Pennzoil once I hit another regularly oil change.

 

Great info. thank you very much.

 

Which pennzoil?

 

I use royal purple 5w30

 

Cooper S - 0-50w Castrol Edge


I have 0-30w Castrol Edge in my JCW (UK)

 

Pennzoil Ultra Euro, 5w-40. It is the current oil in their product line that meets the ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01 certifications. Biggest challenge for me is I have to order it online and have it shipped to me as a box of 6 qts.

 

Amsoil 0W-30 SSO

 

personally, i am using mobil1 european formula 0w40 due to it being the most available in my area

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market,per BMW/Mini websites:
Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 European Formula SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

other oils I have found that are BMW LL-01 rated (by web and examining oil bottles at the oil store):
Motul 8100 X-cess 5W40
Total QUARTZ 9000 5W-40
Total QUARTZ 9000 ENERGY 0W30
Havoline Synthetic Motor Oil
Kendall GT-1 Full Synthetic Motor Oil, SAE 5W-40
Castrol EDGE with SYNTEC Power Technology 0W-30
Castrol EDGE with SYNTEC Power Technology 5W-40

there may be others

scott

 

You might note the list from the BMW/MINI websites is out of date due to the oil manufacturers changing their product lines.

E.g.:
Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 has been replaced by Castrol EDGE with SYNTEC Power Technology 0W-30.

Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 has been replaced by the Pennzoil I mentioned earlier in the thread.

To my knowledge, the Mobil1 and Valvoline products are still accurate.

 

Off to purchase my oil. The mini takes 4.4 quarts, correct? Thanks

 

i have done 4 oil/filter changes between my cms all4 and my dad's cms all4

i put in 4 quarts

with a new filter and 4 quarts, the oil level is right at the middle of the craven dipstick

neither car has used any oil between changes

scott

 

+1

 

Why do you use 50-weight oil in the car? Most of the oils spec'ed in the owner's manual are 30-weight, with a single 40-weight.