Going to have 1st oil change this week. Going to do oil changes every 5000 miles on our 2012 R56s I think 10000 miles is to long on these engines so this change is on my dime, no big deal have a good shop to to it. But I do have a question, I am thinking of using Castrol 0w 30 instead of 5w 30. We live in Eastern Washington so there will be plenty of cold morning starts and I think the thinner oil my help. Other concern I have is when I go to have the dealer service it they will use 5w 30. Is it wise for me to do this, any thoughts out there would be helpful. Thanks

 

0w 30 is one of the recommended "long-life" oils BMW specifies for MINIs (at least for the 1st gen, I doubt they changed it)

 

That's correct - Castrol 0W30 is the recommended weight.

The MINI oil that will be used when the included maintenance is completed is 5W30.

 

I have to admit the Mini is probably the easiest car I've changed oil in. Even the filter doesn't leak all over if you let it drain for an hour or so before taking it off. Only thing I don't like is there's no way to get that Allen wrench from getting oil all over your hand or the tools, but it's a small price to pay. Anyone know how to keep from drooling oil all over taking off that Allen bolt? Once it's loose the oil is all over.

 

i agree on the shorter oil/filter change interval, especially for any turbo engine

my dealer will use oil i supply, as long as it carries the bmw/mini LL-01 rating, but you lose the "free" oil included with the "free" maintenance

i have been using mobil1 0W40, it is bmw/mini LL-01 rated, is the easiest to find and is both lower and higher viscocity rated

scott

 

Dealer uses Castrol Euro formula so the 5w30 is not the same as what you will find in auto shops. So, you have nothing to worry about when dealer changes your oil. Well, you just have to make sure they don't overfill :P

 

Just crack it loose and hand loosen it the rest of the way. I know mine barely has any resistance turning out once it is struck loose. Yea your hand will get messy but that's expected.

 

To avoid getting your hand messy pick up a box of disposable gloves. so much easier and less of a mess on your hands.

 

I just use about 20 shop towels...one thing I didn't realize is thanks to the horizontal drain plug on the R53 the oil shoots back a good 2 feet...needless to say my pan was not properly placed and I was on a kitty litter run while it was draining...

 

I would trust the manual, if they allow the 0w30, then do it. Synthetic oils do not thicken as much when cold, so there may not be much difference (good or bad). If you don't reset the oil change sensor, then you can still use the 'free' maintenance program for changes. You can just change the oil in between the dealer changes.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Use what the manual says. Just be careful of voiding the warranty. If its recommended then use it. I live where the weather is generally in the teens in the winter with higher humidity. The 5w30 works fine.