Can anyone recommend what oil to use on for my Mini. Dealer said to do 15k intervals, but I do not like that. I am planning on 5k oil changes.

Do I have to use BMW oil? Can I use Mobil1 Synthetic? Can I use 10w30 on my new car or 5w30? Thank you for advice.

 

Interestingly, there's a label right next to the dipstick on mine that recommends Castrol. I wonder what kind of joint marketing deal they came up with to do that.

 

From the Owner's Lounge, if you are not going to use the MINI-branded oil:

Outside of that list, I'm pretty sure you would want to find something with an ACEA A3/B3 rating. If you are going to use such a short OCI, you probably do not need an oil that meets the LL-01 spec.

 

^^^ what he said.

 

German Castrol!!! aka the 0W-30.

 

Amsoil all the way!

30 is the weight, and the winter rating depends on where you live. 5W is the winter rating that I use up here in DC and that is sufficient.

Any quality synthetic should work though, I have just found that Amsoil seems to be smoother and doesn't burn away as quickly.

What make is your MINI and what generation?

 

No
Yes
No

See the list of approved oils that 'jcauseyfd' posted.

Hope this helps...

 

Thank you all. I got 2012 Mini Cooper ( not S).

 

Now I am confused. Opened the hood last night, There us a sticker in the engine, USE SYNTHETIC 5W30. Read car manual and there are a list of few oils to use.

 

Living in NH here. Planning on 0w30 with snow tires, and 5w30 without snow tires. That make sense to the seasoned veterans here?

 

Mobil1 synthetic 5W30

 

Don't be confused by the sticker.
If it's like the one my 2006, it is recommending the 5w30 Mini branded oil.
There should even be a part number printed on the sticker as well.

All you need to do is use one of the recommended oils, listed in your manual or on the Mini website, and change it at least once a year.
That would occur on the anniversary of the delivery date even if the mileage is less than what the count down computer calls for.
Your free maintenance most likely covers what they call a "low mileage oil service" which is an oil change and quick visual inspection.

Hope this helps...

 

Mobil1 synthetic 5W30 with no issues.

 

These engines seem to be somewhat more suseptable to oil quality related issues than some others, so I go 7K max with Mobil1 5W30, ignore the on-board oil computer, and idle down the engine for at least 30 seconds if you just came in off the freeway or whatever and weren't just puttering around the block for the last 2 or 3 minutes. That gives the turbo time to spool down to minimum rotational speed and extend its bearings life.
The issue with the timing tensioners may be partially oil-related as well, as they are hydraulic assemblies and rely on proper engine oil pressure to tension reliably. Swap to the new revised part number assembly as soon as possible to avoid complete tensioner system failure. I am going to do a catch can next, then maybe intercooler this spring or early summer, then a tune.

 

0 weight! Why such a light oil?

 

Getting some racket when I start Trillian in the morning.

 

Been using Castrol 5/30W full syn. but going to switch to Mobil 1 0/40w Europeon formula full syn. Easy to find and Mini also recommends. Also, seems lots of folks on here use it.
Oh.....15K intervals, no way. I do mine at 7K.

 

Oil is such a personal thing.
Many folks seem to get really worked up over this for some reason, but it is a personal choice.
I’m no longer a fan of Mobil1.
Previously been a customer on my cars, Jeep, and race car over 20 years.
Blackstone used oil analysis showed an upward trending wear problem in my Jeep.
After several analyses, they recommended changing to a different brand of oil.
Did so and the wear numbers are back in tolerance.
Am now using Valvoline or NAPA (made by Valvoline) synthetic in my Jeep and German Castrol 0W30 in the MINI.

More info that most would ever care to know about oil: www.bobistheoilguy.com

If you have a spare hour, here is some good reading: www.bobistheoilguy.com/motor-oil-101

 

I'm using Castrol Syntec 5W30 in my '09 JCW. I change the oil and filter about every 7500 miles, which is half the recommended interval in the manual.

I have 35k miles on the car and I thing I'm using more oil than I should. I'm putting in about 3/4 to a full quart every third fillup, which is about a 1,000 miles.

Anyone else notice this much oil usage? My dearler tells me that turbo cars burn more oil than non-turbos.

 

Dealerships all say the turbos can use up to a quart every 1K-2K miles. Personnally, I havent' noticed that with my 07 S. I have added maybe a quarter of quart within 3K but that's it. I don't drive mine hard so that may explain my low oil usage however, I did add a half quart at one time after I had ran it hard on a club gathering. So, I'm thinking if you drive it harder you may use a little more oil. Also, I suspect that each car is different and usage is going to vary. Ensure that you don't have an oil leak somewhere as well. I also change my oil every 7K miles rather than the recommended 15K (that's crazy IMO). I've been using 5/30w Castrol Edge but I think I'm going to switch to 0/40 Mobil 1 Europeon formula next change.

 

Teibito, I ran to Ohio a few weeks ago, from Baltimore, 417 miles through the I70 and the PA Turnpike, 75 to 80 most of the way and climbing to 2700 ft elevations in the Tuscarora Mtns. Used just under 1/2 quart from time leaving to time arrival, Mobil1 5W30 so 1 qt per thou sounds about right if spirited driving. I alkso change at around 7.5K, no way Im doin 15K. The previous owner lunched the turbo at 37K, Im bettin the 15K intervals were why.

 

^^^Totally agree with ya.

 

Thank you all for the input. As I read thru the posts, I have another question. Just keep in mind, this is my first MIN.

Why would a car use up oil? Is this common with all MINI's? I had toyota's and Nissan's for past 20 years. Drove over 100,000 miles each car and never needed to add oil between 5k miles oil changes. thx.

 

Personally, I'm not 100% in agreement with Mini's eating oil. My 07 doesn't. I think the S models may due to the turbo but than again mine is an S. I don't drive it hard but one time that I did, I did eat through about a quarter of a quart.
Also, with the plastic valve cover which is prone to warp you may get an oil leak from there. Again, mine with 63,800 miles on it now still has the original valve cover. They did replace the gasket when they did my timing chain repair.
I have gotten a little paronoid about oil reading all these threads so I check my oil about twice a week just to be safe.

 

MiniForceNY, the vacuum present in the intake system pulls oil from the turbo bearing seals and sucks it into the engine. At high rev high vacuum conditions, this is exacerbated, but is completely normal. You also have the differential pressure with the oil pump pressurized oil on one side and the vacuum chamber conditions on the other side. No bearing seal is ever perfect, and for the life protection of the turbo, a little leakage is actually preferable, it keeps the seal coated both sides with nice synthetic slickness. Personally, I'll suck a few bucks of Mobil1 through my engine over blowing a $1K+ turbo any day of the week. My next project is going to be a catch-can for the EGR system.