Has anyone made the change from the factory oil (I think it's Castrol Synth) to Mobil 1?

I'm not really thrilled with a 10,000 oil change. I've got this weird idea that regularly changing the oil & filter is the best thing to do to keep an engine running for a long time.

I can handle 5,000 miles with a synth oil, but still want to visit my dealer for the regular sched maint. and they'll be (so I'm told) using Castrol Synth.

Is it okay to switch brands of synth oil every 5K or should I stick with one brand?

How does Mobil 1 compare with Castrol's oil? And what about an oil/filter change after the break-in period?

 

I began changing my oil at 3K, using Mobil 1. And for my scheduled visits, I brought my own Mobil 1 that the dealer used instead of the Castrol. There is no way I was waiting 10K for an oil change, less moving parts or not. Call me old school I guess. There is a noticeable difference when you put in fresh oil, the engine seems quieter and smoother, which is one reason why I change at 3K.


Craig

 

>>I'm not really thrilled with a 10,000 oil change. I've got this weird idea that regularly changing the oil & filter is the best thing to do to keep an engine running for a long time.

This is all part of the subliminal messages that were fed to you by Oil industry to make you buy more motor oil. Synthetics can handle 10K with no problem. Instead on using Mobil or Castrol on your next oil change make the switch to the dark side and use Redline Synthetic. I used them before on other cars with great success. When it's time for my MCS first oil change, I will hand my dealer Redline 10W30

http://www.redlineoil.com/products.htm

Cheers

 

I changed to Redline 5w30 at 2210 miles. I'll use Redline again for dealer change @ 10K miles.

 

I changed to Mobil 1 (tri-synthetic) 5W30 around 4000 miles. I just go to Target or Wal-Mart and buy the oil there (about $20 for a 5-qt jug) then bring it to the dealer where they change it for me ($32 for labor and oil filter). So far so good with no problems - 31,000 combined miles between my Cooper (sold) and now the S.

 

I got Amsoil 5w30 put in at Jiffy Lube at 2000 miles.

 

>>How does Mobil 1 compare with Castrol's oil? And what about an oil/filter change after the break-in period?<<

Mobil 1 is a true synthetic, made from a fully synthetic stock. Castrol Syntec is made from a regular petroleum base, with additives to give it certain properties of synthetic oils. Castrol had to go to court in order to call the Syntec synthetic. It definitely sounds like a stretch to me, and I won't leave it in my car for more than 4 or 5k after each dealer oil change.

As far as switching brands goes, I can't see how that in itself could possibly do any damage.

 

...

 

Has anyone noticed that service intervals have become longer since maintenance is now on the manufacturers dime?

 

Changing to Mobile 1 and then back to Castrol at the 10,000 mile dealer change won't hurt a thing and is preferable to leaving the original oil in the car until 10,000 plus miles. I find it real hard to believe that the Castrol synthetic oil is so bad there is a need to take your own oil to the dealer instead of accepting the "free" oil provided at the 10,000 mile change. $32 bucks for labor and a filter when you supply the oil....Holey-Moley, what a ripoff.

 

Changing synthetic oil every 3000 miles is just throwing your money away. fwiw, Porsche recommends a 15000 mile oil change interval for the 911. So the MINI's software determined 10-15K interval is not unreasonable.

The only drawback to a 10-15K mile oil change interval is that many people don't bother to (or maybe don't know they need to) replenish the oil that is consumed between oil changes. Running 3 quarts low waiting for a 15K oil change is asking for trouble!

 

Very controversial subject. My routine? I changed to Royal Purple synthetic 5W-30
after the 1250 mile break-in period. I then changed oil/filter again at 5,000 miles and will continue this 5K mile oil change routine as long as I own my MCS. The small 1.6 L Tritec engine w/supercharger creates a lot of heat and stress on the tiny motor. I think 10,000 mile oil changes are way too long. If was a V-8 engine thats runs at low rpm's I would not hesitate to go 10K on synthetic oil. Just my thoughts.