I know this may have been discussed again and again over the years but I never found a clear answer to which oil really meet the highest BMW Long Life-01 standard. I am coming close to my next oil change after the end of the factory maintenance program.

Most here are filling with mostly anything on the market with oil intervals in the 5K range but as far as I am concerned, I want to stay in the 10K recommendation as per OEM and I don't see any reasons to change that.

From my research, it seems the only oil to meet the Long Life full BMW specs is Castrol Full Synthetic 5W-30 and it may explain why it is so expensive at more than $10/quart.

The Mobil 1 full Synthetic doesn't meet anymore the LL-01 spec but still good for topping.

Now, I am still wondering which oil filter brand I would go other than OEM.

Where are the OEM filters coming from and where can I find performance specs?

 

I use Motul 300V 5W-30 with OEM filter every 4k miles, no issues.

 

As far as I am concerned and for peace of mind, I prefer to follow the OEM recommendations. I have other hobbies than changing oil every 4K on my daily driver.

 

What oil and what interval are pretty much a religious debate, probably not going to change anyone's mind. That said, certainly the 15K mile interval that the R56 started out with was a disaster for engine longevity. There are plenty of threads on engine problems due to Vanos solenoids needing to be cleaned because of long oil change intervals, and Mini changed to 10K mile interval. Is that often enough? Probably. My R56S is my daily driver, I do oil changes at 5K which is probably overkill but it is only every 5 months or so, not a big hassle. Plus I can do 20 oil changes for the cost of one minor engine problem so I see it as cheap insurance.

I believe the OEM filter is by Purflux, there's a thread here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...il-filter.html

 

I'm new to the Mini world and have read a bunch of stuff here and other sites.

It seems there are, as mentioned, as many preference in mileage oil changes as there are members. Reasons vary as much as the oil change mileage. And the topic of oil brands and weights are between here and the moon.

Might I suggest if a person wants to run the oil mileage for the MINI recommended mileage change interval, for a safe guard, consider sending in an oil sample to a qualified lab and do a complete analysis to see if it is in perimeters recommended by the oil companies and car manufacture. Doing this will, if nothing else, let the owner know if the oil needs to be change sooner, or if running it to the max recommended mileage is best for you engine safety and your wallet.

For this new Mini I own, I will be doing the change every 5k with filter and with the recommended Mini oil since the warrantee is good. When warrantee is over, I will be sampling for a few oil changes to determine oil brand, weight and duration. It also will indicate of if the filter is doing it's work or not. (I will be doing this during warrantee also, but not telling Mini unless I have to .. as I have done this for prior vehicles I've owned and presently own).

Just a suggestion.

 

2009 JCW R56 using European Castrol OW40 and 5k change intervals.

 

Stop! If you're not servicing at horribly recommended service intervals by the dealer.. them stop wasting time and money on their recommended oil!

LL01 and LL04 were made to rate oils for high mileage service. If you're changing at 5k or less.. you don't need to bother with this spec. Any full synthetic in a range between 0w-30 and 10w-40 can be used and is perfectly fine for the motor.

*I've recently switched from Pennzoil Platinum 5w-30 to Mobil1 0w-40.. and am pleased with the change. Mobile1 isn't vaporizing and burning off as much, so I don't need to top-off the oil as frequently.

 

The OP was clear about his intent to stick with a 10K interval, and was looking for additional LL-01 oils. While we might disagree with his idea of a proper interval, let's try to help him identify a few candidates.

I took the list I keep on my phone and did some googling:

Castrol Edge 5-30 LL-04
Castrol Edge 0-30 LL-01
Mobil 1 SAE 0-40 (apparently no longer meets LL-01)
Penzoil Platinum European Ultra SAE 5-30 LL-01, LL-04
Valvoline SynPower SAE5-30 (can't find any BMW ratings)

A new one is Shell Helix Ultra 5-30, API SL/CF; ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4; BMW LL-01; MB approval 229.5, 226.5; VW 502.00/505.00; Renault RN0700, RN0710. Meets the requirements of API SN/CF

 

if the OP knew better.. he wouldnt have asked. Im merely trying to see another JCW live a long healthy life (which wont happen on dealer service intervals).

from JMTC coopers page found here:JMTC


Love your engine with oil. If you follow 10-15k for oil changes on ANY turbo engine.. simply put; you are a bafoon.

 

Penzoil, Valvoline and all other brands mentioned don't meet specs. Mobil 1 is acceptable for topping only when needed between oil changes.

I will go with Castrol Edge since it seems the only one acceptable and follow with the OEM oil filters. My driving is entirely freeways so I will probably adjust to 7K intervals in the future.

 

Cornjuice, you missed my point and obviously you don't know what you are talking about.

 

why are you concerned with a spec, based on a horrible recommendation? I mean..the dealers recommended oil change interval is akin to telling people -> 'if youre low on vitamins.. i recommend you eat glass' .. you jumping in line for that?

Just based on the ever changing oil blends its very difficult to find an LL01 or better approved full synthetic. Often when you do find one, its a spec online and doesnt correlate to the batch/bottle you purchased in store. Easier to find a low ash, full ester based synthetic than it is to find an actual LL01 approved blend (and i mean in store not online)

On top of that, its just bad for the engine; which there is plenty proof of all over the net and forums. Did you even read the link posted? Folks that have experience with the turbo minis all do the same -> which is ignore the recommendation by the dealer and service your engine at intervals which will keep it healthy.

*consider 5/6 contributors to your thread all told you the same in much less words too.

 

You were right about the oil filters ........... I received 2 boxed OEM today and they are Purflux L358A. Just more expensive because they are in a BMW package.

 

I use Amsoil Euro formula and/or the Boosted formula. For filters always use OE or equivalent. I believe Way sells the non OE branded equivalent.
https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=AELQT-EA

https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-produ...?code=XLFQT-EA

 

This is not "Full Synthetic".

This may be the reason you drain every 3-5K.

I owned an Infiniti from new before my Mini and the Ester oil needed to be serviced at 3.5K.

 

False, but thanks for you opinion Richard.

 

This is not my opinion but what is stated on their website. Furthermore, they say their synthetic formula can blend with all conventional oils.

The reason is obvious why it is marketed only as synthetic.

 

I only use first press, fresh, extra virgin olive oil. Only the best for my MINI!