I've got a little over 15K miles on my 07 MCS. I've been changing my oil and filter every 5K miles as I am not comfortable to wait for the MINI free change that looks like it won't come until 20K miles. Until recently educated by this forum, I figured that Castrol 5W30 (full synthetic) was the same as factory fill. Now that I know better at my 15K change I used MINI brand 5W30, ACEA A3/B3 rated oil. This used oil analysis was performed by Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants. Here's the results in parts per million (ppm) unless otherwise noted:

METALS
Copper 22
Iron 82
Chromium 1
Aluminum 8
Lead 1

ADDITIVES
Molybdenum 138
Phosphorus 846
Zinc 962
Magnesium 57
Calcium 3511
Sodium 4
Potasium 1

CONTAMINENTS
Antifreeze 0%
Fuel Dilution 0%
Water 0%
Silicon 9 ppm

OIL PROPERTIES
Viscosity 9.56
Sulfer 7%
Oxidation 13%
Nitrate 15%
Soot 0%

Note on the report said the contamination and additive dilution levels were normal. It also stated to maintain the current oil drain interval.

I hope this info is of some help for others to consider their oil change intervals, I think I'll stay with the 5K oil and filter changes. I may try using the European Formula Mobil 1 (0W40) which has an ACEA rating of A3/B3 as I live in Las Vegas, NV where the ambient temps are quite high in the summer. I will also repeat the used oil analysis at 30K miles to see how the numbers are changing if at all.

 

Thanks..............mucho...i`ve followed the oil info.....& all the impute...
generated a touch of bemused thinking............
2ndly...the drain plug....i`ve called around(i live in henderson) can`t seem to locate a "50 torx bit" required to remove the d plug)would you have a clue.
I agree...i entend to change oil/filter.......around 4-5000 miles....& the 1st
at 1000 miles(800 miles on the car now).
If you`d care to communicate directly...>>.XNRLV@AOL.COM<<
08-mcsa,turbo-l/b,mono,options,+ mods.
Appreciate any info & or help...............

Ross

 

The viscosity dropped to 9.56? According to this chart that's now a 20w oil.
http://bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html

According to this however I see regular Castrol Syntec 5w30 starts at 9.7. right at the bottom of the 30W oils. That's a mail reason why it doesn't meet the A3/B3 spec:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...646#Post884646

 

My $0.02

Iron seems high given that the oil has been changed out a couple of times already so break in metals should be flushed out. I'm surprised the lab didn't say anything.

Fuel Dilution = 0% ? Hard to believe given the R56 is a DI engine. Does the lab just report 0% if fuel is <0.5% or <2%?

9.56 cSt is still within SAE 30 so viscosity looks good.

Keep in mind that with modern water cooled engines, the ambient temperature has very little to do with the choice of oil viscosity at operating temp. Whether the car is in Death Valley or Juneau, the oil will be at about 100 C. The engine doesn't need a more viscous oil in hotter climates.

 

I use Mobil 1 0 w 40 every 5K.