what oil and filter do i use? can i just go with castrol 5w 30 edge and pick up a mann filter at nappa?

 

Head to the search tool, there are a ton of threads on this. Most people stick with MINIs filter (which is Mann) but oil preference is a choice (I use Amsoil). Just stay fully synthetic and you should be fine.

 

Drain Plug:

6pt socket to remove....

Do Not over tighten! 22 ft/lb

 

i am fortunate enough that the previous owner installed a fumoto valve. so that is one less thing to worry about. so i should be okay with castrol 5w 30 edge and a mann filter then? i have always used mobil one but since these guys specify castrol who am i to argue.

 

These will be fine.

 

You can't go wrong with Mobil 1. The Castrol stuff sold at the dealer is the MINI special recipe and is supposed to be different from the stuff from WallyMart and NAPA. Note the "supposed to" cuz I can't prove it, just what I have read before.

 

The stuff that comes to the dealers comes off an oil tanker truck that doesn't have any specified brand name on its side, and that truck makes tons of stops likely at all the dealers around town. MINI states Castrol because castrol likely was the highest bidder when it came to who MINI would sell advertising space to.

Like others have stated, stay with a fully synthetic that is name brand and you'll get what your MINI needs.

What makes the biggest difference isn't what oil you put in, but how often you change it...

 

i completely agree with you. i do oil changes every 5k miles. i know the intervals are debatable; however, 5k works for me. An oil change generally cost me less than a tank of gas.

the only reason i asked about castrol is because a friend of mine has an e46 m3 and it only takes castrol 10w-60. i did not know if it was a bmw thing and that is why i bought castrol.

 

Sounds like you're good to go then! I wad up paper towels and wrap around the back side of the oil filter housing before removing the filter. This will prevent oil from draining down the back of your block making for a messy oil change.

Other than that, I've personally experienced difficulties on 2 occasions trying to loosen the oil filter housing before on MINI's. With the Metal housing and metal canister, it tends to sieze after long intervals. Hopefully you won't run into this issue but if the previous oil change has been over 10k miles, don't be surprised if the oil filter requires a lot of force to break free.

 

Make sure you also lube the o-ring before you try to put the canister cover back on. It will keep it from binding and tearing.