Where can I buy the filter and oil to take have a shop change the oil? What type of oil do I need?

 

You will want Castrol 5W-30 Synthetic for oil and some 10min. Oil Shops have the filters. If not, several vendors on the vendors list stock filters.
Good Luck & Motor On!

 

MiniMania has the filters: http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/G2.../InvDetail.cfm

You can also go to the parts shop of your dealer.

 

I buy my oil filters from Classic MINI. They give a 20% off "NAM" discount!

 

Purolator #L15465 is available off the shelf at Pepboys--$6or $7 ea. Also Mobil One 5w-30 synthetic.

 

I am curious why one would suggest Castrol but not a MINI filter. Yes, MINI recommends Castrol, but only because that is who they elected to "brand" with -- i.e., it's a marketing tool. While the oils have to meet specific standards in order to claim the weights and DOT standards, there can be a great variance in the quality of the filters. I would not trust a Jiffy Lube, etc., to put a decent filter on my MINI (not to mention properly install the center piece and spring).

 

We use Castrol Oil and OEM Filters only in our shop.

 

A while back there was some guy on the S2000 (www.s2ki.com) board that disassembled the filters from various manufactures. These were filters specifically for the S2k.

There was a big difference in the quality of the filter on the Honda OEM filter versus many of the other brands (I think he had about 5 of them). The Mobil 1 filter, OEM, and Bosch seemed to be the best made.

Basically, the cheap filters, were, well CHEAP in material and manufacture.

You can bet that the jiffy lube don't use great filters.

Oil is always 100% synthetic.

Heres the article (it's a bit old now): http://www.ntpog.org/reviews/filters/old_filters.shtml

 

I definitely agree with you, not trusting the oil shops on their filter selection, and installation, thats why I do my own. BDY I personally use Purolator, I remember reading a report on the internet of tests done on the "namebrand" filters by a mechanical engineer. Purolator came out best in all catagories over the other brands. In case your interested FRAM came out on the lower end of the spectrum. It appears that fram no longer makes their own filters, they outsource them.

 

While we're on the subject, has anyone changed their R56 oil yet? I'm about to change mine and was wondering if there are any "surprises" that await. Like is there anything special about the filter assembly and how much oil to put in (I'm going off the R53 and guessing 5 quarts).

I changed the oil in my R53 but at first with the help of a DIY guide made by Webb Motorsports. Since this is a new engine I haven't found one yet and I'm a little worried of what I might find.

 

I needed some VW and R56 filters. https://www.germanfilters.com/ had them both and free shipping over $50.

 

See: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95248

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=100672

 

I don't believe there is a center piece and spring anymore, just the filter element. I thought that was eliminated in later first gen MCS and a little later first gen MC.

 

I would buy OEM oil filters for a bit, till some higher end parts companies make them. Classic MINI and Morristown MINI offer 20percent off. And I think MINI of Sterling does as well for Roadfly members.

As to oil, Castrol, Mobil One, are good. Mobil One is often on sale at Costco, though finding it in the right weight can be tricky. Too bad Rock Oil (high end motorbike oil) doesn't make car oils, their synthetic is fantastic.

*woops, Rock Oil does make automotive oils!* Heh, cool.

 

Purolator lists the L15465 filter for the R53 Mini as well as the R56. I know for sure that the 2 have very different, and non-interchangeable, filters.

Has anyone ever used the Purolator L15465 filter on an R56?

 

Walmart sells Mobil 1 . 5W-30 and 5W-40.

 

Anyone tried Agip in their MCS?

Common place in Exotics, i wonder if anyone here tried it?

 

Just found out myself . this filter is for the 06 r53/07 cabrio. will not fit 07 R56.-----R56Filters are available at www.minimania.com

 

Agip is an Italian oil company, which is why you see it for "exotics" (particularly Italian ones). You'll also see it for a Fiat Panda

 

yeah dont buy the cheap oil filters because my friend works at bridgestone and they opened used oil filters for fun and he said the cheap crap like fram have like paper towels on the inside to filter the oil. dont buy cheap brands, he said generally OEM is the best while mobil and busch are also good. i forgot wat else he said was good