I assume it's synthetic, but type & grade? Anyone know?

 

MINI Fully Synthetic 0W20 should be in there. there's a label under the hood that lets you know.

 

Also look in your Owners Manual.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

 

My MINI Owner's Manual says to use MINI Original Engine Oil (of course); Use the following Rating Standards: BMW Longlife-01 or BMW Longlife-01 FE; with the following Viscosity Grades: SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40, and SAE 5W-30.

Nowhere does it mention (that I've found) using SAE 0W-20.

Is 0W-20 break-in oil? (My JCW is still under 700 miles btw)

If I get an oil change when my 1st year comes up in July, what will my dealer put in there? 0W-20? or one of the above viscosities (from the manual)?

I'm just trying to educate myself on this ahead of upcoming service.

Thanks,

John

 

According to my friend in service, 0W-20 LL-14 is what MINI is telling their service techs to put in 3rd gen MINIs going forward, but 0W-30 is also okay too.

 

Good to know! Thanks! I wonder if most dealers use MINI Oil or Mobil 1?

 

Shell oil I believe in MINI branded bottles

 

I looked at the Sticker on the Engine Cover next to the Oil Filler Cap, and it reads as follows:

"We Recommend MINI Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30 (Part No. 07 51 0 143 829)"

 

My 2015 JCW (EUR ver.) comes with 5W-30 BMW (Shell) OIL. I changed after first 5000km Oil (5,250 liter) + Oil filter and i was really surprised that old oil was dark-black like from some old car (...maybe i hope in lighter color :-) ) After change i feel that motor goes little bit smoother (but it should be only placebo effect after change...)
I plan change motor oil every 10 000km (service interval in Europe is in 30 000km)

 

You bring up a good point....dark oil typically means it's starting to breakdown. Turbo engines run very hot, so wouldn't it be wise to change oil a bit more frequently than normally aspirated engines? The whole thing defies logic, but again what do I know? ;-)

 

I had ours changed at 2,000, and we now have 6,000 and we ran it hard at the MOTD and other events. We are planning on the Blue Ridge Parkway run next month and I am debating about changing it again before that. I sure do miss my *#** dipstick! A pox on whomever made the egregious decision to steal it and replace it with an E one! I sure am not going to have mini do it as they are really proud of their oil and service based upon the price.

 

I'm with you Dan! The electronic dipstick doesn't even work until I've driven the car for awhile. The "usual" protocol is to check the oil BEFORE driving on a trip, etc.! LOL! Cannot do with this new-fangled thing!


I'd think you would be fine going a bit longer on follow-up oil change service, after your initial change at 2,000 miles. But, you're like me, in that sooner rather than later certainly can't hurt a thing!


John

 

Am I fine running Royal Purple 5W-30? I have always ran RP on my R56s without any issues.

 

Reviving this older thread...
Looking through the owners manual on my 2019 and it says 0 - 20 oil, but it then goes on to say 0 - 30. The sticker under the hood says 0 - 20.

That said, is there anyone who takes their JCW to the track and what brand oil and what weight oil do you use? And how often do you change it? To me, the 0 - 20 seems a little light for the track; that is probably for gas milage with a hope that the engine makes it past the warranty period.

 

Unless you are racing in the Sahara Desert, 0w-20 should be fine. I track mine, and had it at Thunderhill when it was 107 ambient, and 120 on the track, and the oil temp and engine temp were fine.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

How are you reading the oil and water temp? I see that MINI has included an “engine” temp read out of sorts on the speedometer. On my 2012 I am using a ScanGage to read oil and water temp. I would think i could do the same with the JCW.

Also, does anyone know what the little radiators are that I see in the openings at the far ends of the front bumper? Is one an oil cooler?

 

I used a Scanguage II for the temps. And the left (US driver side) radiator is just that, an auxillary radiator for additional cooling.

 

Thanks!

 

Is the radiator on the left front an oil cooler or is it additional volumne for radiator coolant?

 

Additional radiator with coolant, not an oil cooler.

 

Darn..

Seems like an oil cooler would have been more beneficial to a car like this. I wonder what the GP3 will come with, with its 300+ hp?

 

The newest LCI JCWs don't have the extra radiator, as they were able to improve cooling in other ways, so it will be interesting, for sure.

 

And cost-saving had nothing to do with it of course! I like having the extra radiator on mine. I have the hidden compartment on the dash also.....old is better sometimes!

 

I have that radiator on my 2019 but no hidden compartment....