I just got an 09 JCW about 2 months ago. I have 2200 miles on it. This car is definitely a keeper so I am bothered by the 15000 mile first service. We reluctantly followed that advice on my wifes 05 MCS and it blows blue smoke when you start it up if it sits a week. Her car only has 50K miles on it. I am also bothered by the $100.00 stealer charge for a non scheduled oil change. I am thinking of doing it myself this time (probably every time midway through the cycle at 7500). I have some 5-30 mobil1 laying around, all I need is a filter. How do the two oils compare (will mobile1 last the same mileage as Mini oil) and is there any problem switching back and forth? That Mini oil looks suspiciously similar to BMW synthetic I used to get for $2.95 a quart at the stealer while Mobile 1 was $5.00 a quart and now they want how much ($90 for a case of 12)?


Smoke05
Blue 09 JCW,
Smoke 05 MCS

 

bmw synthetic is exactly the same. If you really want a treat try Royal Purple oil. That stuff is great.

 

Mobil 1 is considered to be a group 4 syn oil....like Castrol/BP Syntec....meaning it is produced by dramicly upgrading the conventional base stock oil. Amsol, ryoal purple, red line, and by most reports mini/BMW oil are all group 5 oils....a higher grouping indicating it is a true syentic oil from what I have read. I personaly have used mostly mobil1 extended (a similar formulaion to STD mobil1, but with more zinc....the reason it does not qualifty for the saving gas symbol on the bottle-to get it the goverment mandates that the oil is reformulated to reduce zinclevels in hopes of extending catlytic converter life, to much determint of some engine types) to get the higher zinc content to help protect the valve train from wear....I now use amsol....same higher zinc content, with the group 5 clasfication, indacating it is a true man made oil.
IMO doing oil changes at 7500 miles or so on a MINI is the way to go....easy to since it is twice as often, so no need to reset the computer except as needed at the required service intervals.

Please also check that Mobil 1 does indeed meet the requirements of a '09.

 

I would suggest an oil change as soon as possible because you already have 2200 miles. I like to do the first oil change at about 1500 to get any break-in particles out of the engine. Then change the oil at 7500 and every 7500 after that.

You will need an oil filter. I suggest you purchase a few oil filters from a aftermarket vendor on NAM. I do not know if the 2009 needs a special socket (such as the shortened socket for Gen1 cars) to remove the filter.

I have heard that there are two types of Mobil 1 available in local stores, a normal blend and a european blend. I was told the european blend is a little more expensive but I do not know if it is group 5 rated.

I have used Royal Purple and now use Redline. I use 5-40 instead of 5-30 due to our warmer temperatures in CA.

 

I use the "European Formula" Castrol synthetic, which is the only Castrol that is a tru synthetic vs. being a cracked hyrocarbon (group 5 vs. group 4, I believe). I've only been able to find it at Autozone. Check out www.bobistheoilguy.com

 

hi, 0-40 mobil one is approved in my owners manual 09.

 

Thanks a bunch. Looks like I was on the right track except for the oil type. I found a how-to video on this site for the filter change, it does need a socket with a swivel head. It is tucked under the coolant overflow tank on the 09.

Not sure if I am going to mod this one too much. My last car was a E36 M3 with some suspension and CAI mods and this one does everything sooo much faster right out of the box. It just doesn't seem fair to the other cars on the road!

Thanks again guys!

Smoke05
09 JCW coupe sport suspension
05 MCS coupe sport suspension

 

I alos have labored over the oil change situation. New cars that I have bought in the past, I always follow the mfrs recommendations but in this case, the maintenance is free but only at MINIs periodicities. Based on the condition based maintenance for oil changes, this would have me change oil initially after a whopping 19000 miles which is unacceptable to me and other posting threads have indicated same.

So, my first recommendation is to go by the owners manual which for my 2009 indicated 4 oil choices of which Mobil 1 0W-40 was one in the selection.

Second, there are plenty on this forum that have changed their oil earlier and either did it themselves or had a local non-MINI dealership do it. But I suspect there are others reading these postings that are reluctant to change the oil earlier because either they want to just adhere to bringing it into MINI when the service on the display panel indicates it is time (Meaning mucho miles on the initial oil) or are reluctant to pay expensive charges for MINI to do it earlier for more than what local stations charge and may be reluctant to have anyone else other than MINI service it while under warranty. So....there is an in-between soultion to this dilemma, which I am sure will be criticised by some but may work for others. While it would be best to change the oil filter at time you add the new oil, if you want to change the oil earlier than the time to bring it into MINI for your free oil change, you may want to consider just changing the oil and doing it by not having to mess with the oil filter or opening up the oil drain plug. You could get a manual vacuum pump from a boat store and insert the small diameter tube that comes with it down the dip stick port. Then just suck the oil out and replace the dip stick. Then refill with Mobil 1 0W-40 or one of the other oils listed in the owners manual, the way you would normally add oil...just rcmd keep checking the dip stick to ensure you are not over or under filling.

Doing it this way is surely not as good as replacing the oil with the filter but it does replace the bulk of the oil and MINI would have had you leave the oil filter in till the oil change was due by them anyway. So, at least you get the benefit of the new oil with bulk of the contaminants removed.

It also probably would have been more appropriate if this posting was in the section for the 2nd generation MINIs since the original poster has an '09. The rest of you guys are probably not under a maintenance warranty and have already resolved suitable ways to do your oil changes (w/oil filter at same time) by either yourselves, at MINI or by a local station.

 

Very good idea, I like it

 

Sorry for posting in the wrong spot. I saw JCW garage and went for it. I like that idea. Synthetic oil normally keeps everything in suspension (so you dont get sludge) but the change intervals are so long we are still getting sludge. Changing the oil without the filter would still remove the combustion products and dirt that cause sludge that are too small for the filter anyway. Although for this first one I think I will go ahead and spend the 10.00 and change the filter to get the metal chunks out of there. My friend has one of those vacuum changers so that may be the ticket. I think I saw the vacuum procedure done on this site too. Maybe not for the purist who waits for every last drop to come out, but on the flip side it takes care of 99.5% of the rest of the contaminants and this is very clean and tidy outside the car.

smoke05S

 

I've been debating this issue too. I'm at 2k miles, and I feel like waiting until 15k miles is way too long for an oil change, but if MINI recommends it, who am I to argue? I figure if a problem occurs, I can at least say I followed the mfr recommendation.

 

You should also consider Redline 5W30 oil as well, especially if you have a turbo. I like them because they do not use much friction modifiers to get the viscosity so it has less oil breakdown due to extreme heat. It is also a true polyol ester based synthetic instead of the super refined mineral oil like the Mini stuff.

 

Yeah...but if you plan on owning your car PAST the warranty...I'd do it more often. I would do an extra oil/filter change half-way between the suggested interval...I think most users who plan on keeping their cars do. Just don't re-set the oil change indicator, and then get it change at the dealer at the 15,000 mile/1 year mark. Filters on MINI's are pretty easy to change...on GEN1's at least, IMO there is no reasons not too...they cost a MAX of $10.00. Just ensure you have the correct sizes shallow socket or wrench....and it can be bone without dripping oil in the engine bay if you are careful. There are several DIY's on this site, with a few good tips...

 

That's true Zippy, I plan on keeping this car. I'll probably end up changing it once the weather gets warmer.

 

Nothing specific to Minis but an interesting article on GF5 or SN oils at http://editorial.autos.msn.com/blogs/autosblog.aspx
(but I had a hard time entering that address for some reason-- It's an AutoWeek "Exhaust Notes" editorial. I "Binged" editorial.autos.msn.com exhaust notes and got it... title of the article is Automakers Switch to New Engine Oil for More Efficiency, Better Protection (too long!).
Don't know if this helps.