Thanks again to all that helped me on the mpg reading on the computer. I reset it and seems to be fine. Another question I need to ask. I'm sure it has been beaten to death, but here it goes. I'm changing the oil in my 2004 MCS and it calls for 5w30 oil from Mini (at $11.00 / qt.) I want to use Castrol Syntec Titanium Gold 5w30. Mini oil is rated long life to fit the 15,000 mile changes. I change oil every 5,000 miles. Castrol is an SAE 5w30 rated s/n, s/m and s/l. Is there any problems in my future if I use this? I notice Mobil 1 has a European 0w40 rated for Mini but the 0 weight bothers me. Again, thanks for the help, you guys are great!

Tosa Mini

 

 

Two cheap sources for synthetic 5W-30 oil.

Walmart has it for about $25 for 5 quart container then buy one more quart as needed at $7.

Costco has a box of 6 one quart bottle with $10 from time to time that will beat the Walmart price.

Doesn't really matter which brand of modern synthetic oil you buy if you change it every 5000 miles which tends to be very early but OK if you want to do it.

MINIs can do oil changes every 7000 to 12000 miles for daily drivers.

I use Mobil 1 because I can get it lower priced. But I have used Amsoil, Royal Purple, Castrol, etc.

 

Pick your favorite flavor....just like cool-aid....
Most any quality FULL SYENTHIC OIL is fine with 5000-7500 mile oil changes in a daily driver....especially on a gen1.

 

i go to walmart pick up the cheapest 5qrt jug of full synthentic and, now i change at 5000, i was doing 7000 but dont like to wait that long. i dont know oil looks worse at 7 than 5, and call me crazy but it feels diffrent too. i also chnage weights through out the season too. during the hoter months i go for something heavier like a 10-30, 10-40,... and in colder months lighter either a 5-20 or 0-30 or a 5-30 again wich ever is cheapest... just follow your cars manual theres a temp graph with what is good for what temp.

 

I previously changed oil every 5,000 miles but now change every 7,500 miles based on the various oil analysis reports that I have seen/read that show good oil at 10,000+ miles. I use Redline 5-30 or 5-40. I also like the Castrol Edge.
As others have said any good synthetic 5-30 oil will be good with 5,000-7,500 oil changes.

 

Wow, guys, I'm impressed.... after seeing all the arguing in several other forums for other vehicles, it's good to see common sense having a strong hold here. Modern engines don't need a 3K change; the recommended interval on my new Charger is 8,000 miles, and that's on conventional oil; I switched it to synthetic and change it every 7,500 (just for convenience sake). I've seen guys SWEAR by a certain brand, still change oil every 3,000 miles, and give an attitude to anyone who says anything different. You could use vegetable oil if you changed it every 3K miles. If you change your oil regularly and take care of your car, it's hard to justify swearing by a certain brand just because your car still runs right; ANY oil will keep your car running right if you maintain your car properly. That's like saying you prefer to use the car wash over on the corner because it always gets your car wet. I generally either whatever they have on sale at the local Advance Auto, since they will throw in a filter for free. Or my Sams Club stuff if I'm stocked up.

 

It's everyone's own choice when to change oil & what to run in it. 3,000 miles or 15,000 miles your call.

As far as what oil to run Mobile 1 0W40 meets MINIs spec. ;-)

 

I use MObil1 full synthetic 5W30 ... like you said I you change your oil often (which you should) then any brand of full synthetic oil will do

 

If you're changing the oil that often, the brand of synthetic probably doesn't matter much. If you want the very, very best: Amsoil. Redline is also top notch and for the more common brands, I'd go with Mobil 1.

 

I heard pennzoil ultra 5w30 is the best. But they are rarely available in my local stores.

I would give pennzoil ultra a try I can get these locally.

 

It is pretty much all the same, I just switched to Castro 5w 50 as i wanted to see if I would burn less oil, so far it was a good move, and with the high temps we have been having the car is running very well.

 

I use to be a Royal purple fanatic, now I use Mobil 1 full synthetic for the money I am saving and the frequency of my changes Mobil 1 fits the bill.

 

your dealer is ripping you of. Mne charges $7.58 for mini oil

 

At 5K change intervals it really doesn't matter what you use, but I'd recommend you use 5W-30 synthetic of whatever brand you prefer or is on sale. Personally, I've been using M1 5W-30 since my 2004 was new which I buy on coupon at Costco for about $4.50/qt. I change at approximately 7.5K or yearly, whichever comes first.

- Mark

 

after using blackstone labs i would not use mobil 1 again. it had the highest wear of any of my oils used . ( all full synthetic 10/30 ) and found Q quackerstate to be the second best to amsoil.

I don't understand why MINI branded castrol is the best in price , over $1.00 a qt cheaper and meets the BMW LL01 . I am sold on MINI oil.

 

i used royal purple before and now i just tried motul 300v 5w-30 and it seems its better than royal purple...