I've got an 02 R53 with 165k Klm's (102k miles). I've always used Castrol Synthetic 5W-40 or 5W-30 and it got me thinking... what brand/viscosity of oil do you use?

 

I've been using Mobil 1 0W40 (2003 R50 with 80K).
It has the right certifications/specifications for MINI (A3/B3 and LL-01)
and a slightly better range of viscosity than most other approved oils
(75 at 100C, 13.5 at 40C).

 

Royal Purple 5w30.

 

Mobil 1, it's only $25 for 5 quarts.0w-40

 

Mobile1 5w30
Never been a fan of castrol since back in my engine rebuilding days and found that engines running castrol had a "varnish" coating all over everything inside the engine. Maybe this was something castrol would claim protects the friction surfaces, but i didn't want that scum inside my motor. That was before castrol made something they call "synthetic". The castrol "full synthetic" you buy today is actually modified dyno oil, not a synthetic oil at all. Mobile 1 is a true synthetic oil. I believe royal purple and amzoil are actual synthetics also.

 

Royal Purple, I'm just over 338,000 miles.
Nik

 

Amsoil 0w30 Signature Series. Several years ago I was using their 5w30 but switched.

 

MINI brand oil that I buy from the dealer. With my local MINI club discount, it costs the same as Mobil 1 costs at my local auto parts store.

Dave

 

Yup...The sticker on the engine says mini recommends castrol and the mini oil is just rebranded castrol...if there were a mini dealer more convenient I would do the same.

 

Mine is a 2nd gen, but I've used:

MINI 5W30
Pennzoil 5W40
Mobil1 0W40
Royal Purple 5W30

 

I use Castrol Edge Syntec 0w30 (made in Germany) with a Mann HU716/2x filter.

Starting sometime in 2013 or 2014 the Castrol Edge Syntec 0w30 changed from made in Germany to made in Belgium. I don't know how the two compare but I stocked up on the German version when I noticed the change and have enough to last until the odometer reaches 115,000 miles. At that point I'll decide which oil to use next...

 

Winner. Likewise.

 

I use melted bacon grease.

 

Everything is better with bacon!

 

Mobil 1 5W-30 with Mann filters.

 

Royal Purple 5-30 in my 05 MCS with 140000 miles.

 

Mobil 1 10w-30. Walmart sells it cheap.

 

Mobil 1 0w-40 ECF. It satisfies the specifications of both the MINI and our hybrid VW.

 

walmart online sells 5qt jugs of pennzoil ultra for super cheap ($25) and if you get two it's free shipping

 

mobil 1 0w-40 in my r53 and mobil 1 0w-40 in my GF's r56 justa

its easier to get since walmart is right down the street, super cheap, 24$ for 5 quarts and 0-40 has better viscosity ratings than 5-30

 

Mobil 1 5-30, costco has a good price.

 

Castrol full syn with own filters

 

I'm using Castrol Edge OW-40 Synthetic in my R53. But I would not hesitate to use Mobil 1 European Formula. Or really, any oil that met the specs MINI indicates.

 

I diverted to Mobil 1 0W-40 from OEM's 5W-30. Last oil change was on August 15, 2014 and I have not added oil since... That's almost a month from today. I check my oil everyday until I get full confidence on the switch in weights.

On pricing, local Walmart has a 5-quart jug for $22.67 and Costco's 6-quart case, if on sale, is at $27.XX. Almost the same in pricing per quart. Too bad Costco doesn't carry the oil weight that I use now.

Royal Purple's 5W-30 5-quart jug at Walmart I believe is $35-$37. This will be my distant second choice in the event I needed to upgrade my oil again. Hope not!

 

Have you run Royal Purple for all of those 338,000 miles, exclusive of the original oil and dealer oil changes?