Hi Everyone,

I know this has been a long going discussion at all the threads. But just wanted to express my 5 cents worth. I did my oil change this week for the first time since I bought my MCS.

I read as much discussions as possible and finally decided to go with the Mobil 1 0W 40. And I have to say, I'm really impressed. I don't know whats the oil the dealer used before I purchased the car 6 months ago. Cause now my R53 is running very smooth. It's soo smooth I can tell it every time I have start the car and accelating on the ramp everyday after work. I feel like it complements the work the SC does

I know the manual recommends 5-30, but the Mobil 1 web site recomended this oil. And since it meets Mini's standards as well I went ahead with this oil.

I live in Seattle area, so it doesnt get too hot or cold here. So lets see how it comes over the next few thousand miles.

 

Don't know why people second guess the engineers who designed the engine when it comes to the engine's oil weight. I'll bet you would have been just as "impressed" with Mobil's 5w-30.

And remember, it's often maketing/sales types who put together those online and published charts. And they usually just parrot some information they've found on the web or a phone call to a dealer or something. I wouldn't take those recommendations as gospel. If I were you, I'd go back to 5w-30 next oil change.

Do you know what kind of oil was in there before? Weight? Synthetic or conventional? Brand?

 

Not sure if this is the case with the 1st Gen cars, but for the 2nd Gen, the Mobil1 0w-40 is the recommended weight for that brand of oil.

 

Are you sure it is smoother. How did you measure that?

I don't really believe it. Frankly I think you just want to think that. But then again perception is reality.

I don't see a need to use 0W40 in Seattle. The weather does not get cold or hot enough to warrant that. Nevertheless I don't think it will do any harm.

I use 5W30 Mobil 1 in my 2005 GTO. But all my Mini's get the recommended Mini oil from NW Mini.

Motor On.

 

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

 

The OP is good to go. I always use the recommended oil as well. Mini for now since they pay for it. On the changes where I pay for the oil my dealer charges $125.00. Ouch but I'm too lazy to do it myself.

Wonder why the large viscosity differential on the Mobil 1??

 

I'm about to reach 80k and I see the Castrol logo embedded on the supercharger plastic grille and on manual (I'll go with synthetic), so that's what I'm using, but:

What's the recommended oil weight for that mileage and California weather?

Some say it's supposed to be 10W40, is that right?

 

I went to the MINI website and saw Mobil 1 0W-40 for suggested oil. That's what I use in my Gen 1 R50. I live in northern Indiana and haven't had a problem yet! Smooth driving!


Happy Motoring!

 

The oil I was using before this was M1 5W 30. Cause that's what the dealer (not a Mini dealer) asked me to use to refill my oil (Since I have a small oil pan gasket leak). They told me that what they used to do the oil change. But then again, its not like I trust a dealer's words anyways. Thats why i said I didnt know the oil that they used earlier in the post.

Usually I don't use anything other than a manufactures recommendations. But then they always give more than one viscosity options and non of my earlier cars required synthetic.

As someone who works at a library, I have come to find out that information is ever evolving. especially in this new age. And I knew even before i bought the MCS that there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the Synthetic oils.

That's why I did my research to find if the manufacturers recommendations have changed. Since it was recommended by the M1 website and was in the list of Mini's recommended oils, I came to the conclusion that this is the new oil recommended for Mini.

At the end of the day if my Mini breaks down in the near future because I used the M1 0W 40, I think I will have strong case against M1

So my overall experience with M1 0W 40 is based on my previous experience refilling M1 5W 30 in my MCS. And I emphasize "refill" as I don't know if I could trust my dealers word.

The one last thing I will do in the near future is calling the dealer close to me and see if they will recommend it in my area as well and see what they recommend!

 

This is my search results from M1 site:

What's the right oil for my car?


Your vehicle has a specific recommendation.

The company that manufactures your vehicle recommends this Mobil 1 product, or has a special requirement.



Current Vehicle:
Year: 2004
Make: Mini
Model: Cooper
Engine Type: 4cyl. 1.6Liter Supercharged



Mobil 1 0W-40
Mobil 1 0W-40 is an advanced full synthetic motor oil that helps extend engine life by reducing engine wear and oil breakdown. Mobil 1 0W-40 provides outstanding performance under all operating conditions and meets or exceeds the warranty requirements of many leading car builders.



Special Filter Not Required
For recommended filter for your vehicle click here


This web site is updated monthly. Always consult your vehicle manufacturer's manual for information specific to your automobile.

 

My reactions is based on driving my MCS everyday. At first I was very skeptical about this. As I have never used a 0W grade before. As I was always told that it should only be used in very cold climates.

I'm not saying I'am right, but driving my car day to day and knowing it intuitively, one can tell when there a significant enough differences. This is why sometime when we go to a mechanic to diagnose a problem, they might not be able to feel it. Because you know more about your car since you drive it in day in and day out. And this is very true if you are someone who appreciate's a car for its personality rather than treating it like something that gets you from A to B (unless one is paranoid about the smallest thing that happened in their car ).

But all this discussion has only made me curious to try M1 5W 30 next time!

 

Wow. I don't know where you guys find this stuff! It gets cold here in Calgary. Like, COLD. And yet, I can't (easily) find a place to buy 0W-40! This will be my first winter in such weather in a car without a block heater, and I'm about to put Castrol Edge 5W-30 in it, because that's what I could find. I find it a bit odd that you can readily buy 0W-40 in Seattle, but not Calgary... In any case, I think the thing will do just fine with 5W-30, so I'm not really worried.

 

No block heater in Calgary. Ouch. Can you get one installed? I would think that a block heater is almost mandatory in your neck of the woods.

What about the local Mini dealer? What oil do they recommend? Maybe they have the oil weight you are looking for. Just a thought.

Pat

 

Have you looked into having it shipped to you?

 

Mobil 1 0w-40 is widely used in European engines. The "0w" is good for severely cold climate but it's also good for cold-start flow, when much of of the wear-n-tear on piston rings and bearings occur.

The only way to measure one oil against another is to send your used sample for an analysis. If you can hear and feel the difference, the previous batch must be a very cheap, low end oil.

 

10W-40 is not recomended in our engines, to slow of a flow rate at start up.

Oils are graded by viscosity (flow rate) the first # (the W rating) is the viscosity at ambient temp., the second # is viscosity at operating temp. (most industry standard for this is 215 degrees +/- 10) the actual protection factors (lubricating qualities) is determined by the chemical formula of the polimers used. Differentt mfg. of course have different formula's (recipe's if you will). Most car mfg. recomendations are as such because that is the brand they used for their testing. (Whether it was determined by R&D into the oil mfg. or by marketing and lobbying is left to be decided by the conspiricy theoryists. )

While 5 weight was generally recomended in the gen 1 cars originally, a 0 weight oil should in no way have a negitive effect on any parts (esp. with synthetic oils which hold their protective qualities much longer) and may even be a good idea in colder weather. But there may be the chance of adverse effects if you like to push the limits on your oil changes, I would probably do them a little earlier using the 0W just to be on the safe side, and def not push to the oil change monitor in the car.

Rember, most of your normal (non heat) oil related engine wear happens at start-up.

Personally I'm a Royal Purple person myself.

 

Serves me right for not checking the manual. I thought it was all 5w-30. Oh well.

I use Amsoil 5w-30. But of the more readily available oils (read: You can find them just about everywhere.), Mobil 1 is pretty much at the top of the heap. Good stuff and it always seems to test very well.

 

My contact at Amsoil recommended that I switch from their 5w30 to 0w30. He uses it in his own MINI and remarked that most of Amsoil's R&D money goes to the 0w30 grade. It seems to be working just fine in my '03 S.

 

isn't the Mobile 1 recommendation for 0W-40 European Formula

the issue being their #'s differ from ours slightly making the 0W-40 appropriate . . .

the Eu formula can be a little harder to find altho my local Wally World has it

 

I use the Mobile 1 0W-40 European formula too since the nearest MINI dealer is 360 miles away and I didn't want to have it shipped. I was careful to choose an oil recommended by MINI. The local Walmart stores don't have it, but Fred Meyers (a chain in the NW) does, although only by the quart. I haven't been able to get it in the gallon jugs.

 

0w-40 is fine for the mini my friend has been using it since 2005 on his mini 5 with no issues what so ever. 0 does not have to be for winter only. Most of the oil from your engine drains downwards when the engine is cold. The instant you start your car there is a fraction of a second which the engine is close to not getting enough oil between the ring and the bock. I actually wrote and explaination and read at the top that BlwnAway already did. 0-40w is indeed your best grade oil especially most minis are relativily new starting from the r53 that is.

Applesause: try Canadian tire. This is where my friend bought the oil but then again I am in Quebec and I don't plan on driving the mini in winter.

 

How come I don't see any mention about engine mileage...

I understand that oil weight is determined based on weather and engine mileage.

Is this right?

Thanks!

 

Not so much any more.
Old school thought was that higher weight was needed to fill the gaps between the parts as the car got older.
Current thought is to have very low weight for quick oil flow at start up. Some have even gone so far as to say there in nothing too low.
Also current thought is that older cars need more seal swelling ingredients in the oil, thus high mileage oils. However, almost all syn oils will also contribute to the seals staying in good shape.
So....lowest weight which meets your high temp needs.

 

i really like mobil one 0w40, one of mobils best and meets alot of specs.. but for my mini it just feels like it bogs it down a little. I put in G Oil 5w30 and have about 6000 miles and it's still smooth. i think this engine does it's best on thicker 30 wieghts. keep in mind if you want to keep the full 15000 mile interval the 0w40 will meet that. i think theres only a handful of 30 wieghts that will meet that.

 

You guys are making me feel bad about using Castrol Syntec 10w30 I figure since I'm in Phoenix, AZ, and it's over 90* even at like 3am, gets over 115* during the day