The page you linked to has the information for "Castrol SYNTEC 0W–30 European Formula". (from the first sentence of the 0W-30 paragraph.)

I don't know if that's the same as the Castrol Syntec 0W-30 you typically find on the shelves here, although it may well be. When I was at the auto parts store the other day, I couldn't find any Castrol that met A3 specs, but they might not have had any 0W-30 where I was.

 

Checking Castrol's web site's "ask the expert" I found this question and answer.

"Does Castrol make the OEM manufacturer 5w30 for BMW and is castrol 5w30 syntec the same?"

Answer from Castrol's web site:

"Castrol does make the Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer 5W-30 for BMW. The formulation is specifically made for BMW and is NOT the same as SYNTEC 5W-30 grade. If the BMW is still under warranty, the owner must use an approved BMW oil such as the Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer 5W-30 oil in order not to void the warranty."

I have checked all the autoparts close by autozone, etc. I have not found a bottle of oil that is A3 spec rated (including valvoline). The mini dealer is 90 miles away. I'm going to the local bmw dealer that is 5 miles away (not a mini dealer) and buying this:

[FONT=arial][SIZE=3]ic Motor Oil[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2] [SIZE=3]BMW 5W-30 Longlife Synthetic Motor Oil[/SIZE]
Part #: 07510017866 (07 51 0 017 866)
Applications: all - all (All)
New from BMW this 5W-30 Synthetic motor oil can greatly increase the life of your engine. Good for most BMW engines, including the MINI. Protect your investment for less than Mobil 1!

So if you are like me and don't have a mini dealer close by, but have a close bmw dealer, get this. You can also buy this online (6.19/qt) from:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...ID=07510017866
[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

Yes, 0w30 European Formula is the German Castrol with ACEA A3 rating. I have 6 bottles of this in my garage. The only place that stocks it in the US are AutoZone stores. Previously Castrol only denoted the difference with the country of original in small print on the back side. Of course what oil specs they meet have always been different. They must have finally realized what was going on and put better labeling on the product.

 

Even though the person at Mini USA recommended the regular Castrol Syntec 5w30, I'm starting to think Robin's method of just buying oil at the dealer is simpler. I am following my normal routine for small 4 cylinder motors and changing every 4k. Waste or not, I don't mind keeping clean oil in it.

 

Thanks. It is good to have confirmation on what I suspected.

That's a good idea. I would guess that it would be the same blend as the MINI brand, just a different label on the bottle. However, IIRC, the MINI oil was $5.40 from MINI of Mountain View. The difference might cover having a dealer ship it to you.

 

I've been buying the regular Castrol Syntec 5w-30 at Wal-Mart in the big 5-quart jug for somewhere around $20. Pretty good deal.

 

It's a good deal if you have a use for it, but it isn't the right oil for your MINI.

 

Won't have the dealer ship, I'll just go to the local BMW dealer and buy it. Its about 5 miles, the closest mini dealer is 90 miles. I'm sure it is the same oil.

 

As opposed to what? Paying MINI almost twice as much for the exact same oil? According to the dealer, it's an "approved alternative".

 

If you are required to buy MINI's oil that is only available at the dealer to keep your warranty in effect.

.....Drum roll please....

They have to supply you that oil for free.

Magnuson-Moss warranty act.

Many oils meet MINI's specs. Melissa your Castrol will be fine.

 

Sorry to say, but your dealer is wrong. The MINI 5w30 is NOT the same as Castrol Syntec 5w30. While I don't think we can say for sure that Mini 5w30 and BMW 5w30 are the same, there's a statement above from Castrol saying BMW 5w30 is NOT the same as Catrol Syntec 5w30.

As dealers are actually independent franchises from the car manufacturer, there has been a long history of dealerships recommending the wrong oil simply because it has been convenient. VW found out the hard way many of their dealers were putting the wrong oil in those engines contributing to a lot of sludge induced engine failures.

So, if you want to put oil in your engine that doesn't meet the same specs as what BMW/Peugeot designed it for, go ahead.

If you don't believe us, please read up thread and in the many other oil threads in the forum.

 

I'm not saying I don't believe you or that it's the SAME oil. I'm saying the dealership has a list of "approved alternatives", and that Castrol Syntec 5w-30 is on that list.

Edited to add: I see looking back I did say "exact same oil"...I was being sarcastic. I'm sure MINI only approves their own windshield washer fluid as well. Doesn't mean my Rain-X fluid is going to mess anything up.

 

The correct oil for you MINI has an ACEA A3 rating. What you are buying has an A1/A5 rating. They are rated for different ratings for "viscosity at high temperature and shear rate" A3 oil must be at least 3.5 mPa.s, while the same spec for A5 oil must be between 2.9 and 3.5 mPa.s.

Thanks go to ScottRiqui for this post and finding this reference: http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/pu..._LD_and_HD.pdf

The consequences of using A1/A5 instead of A3 are unknown to me. Perhaps it wont make any difference. Perhaps it will. Your gamble.

To my mind, trying to save a few $$ by using a different spec oil is penny wise/pound foolish.

 

Then the dealer shouldn't recommend it.

At any rate, I agree with the poster back on page 1...I change my oil every 5k. It can't be *that* much of a difference with frequent oil changes.

 

As a quick clarification........
Castrol Syntech USA formula does NOT meet the minimum spec's for BMW/MINI, the European/German formula does. Will using the US spec oil dpo harm.......probably not.

The other oils I have found that meet the specs are Mobil 1 0W-40 and the Valvoline synthetic 0W-30.

My suggestion (if anyone really cares............LOL) would be to get the synthetic oil that is as close to the req'd specs as possible that is convenient to get.

 

Went to autozone today, they had Castrol Full Synthetic 0w-30 and 5w-40. Both of these meet the A3 requirement, but since none of these is the recommended 5w-30, which should I get? Also anybody know how much they are charging for the MINI sold oil?

I picked up the 0w-30 since it's winter and it met BMW LL-01 rating vs. LL-98 for the 5w-40, but not sure if that was a good line of thinking.

 

good choice! the 0W-30 (GC) is an awesome oil, and meets the ACEA A3/B3 & BMW LL-01. you'll be fine!

 

Yes they do, if they specify ACEA A3/B3, AND, BMW LL-01. Just look at the back of the bottle. German Castrol 0W-30 & Mobil 1 0W-40 specifically carry these specs. At a min. I'd use the dealer supplied BMW or MINI 5W-30. They're a different blend than the USA Castrol 5W-30. USA made Castrol 5W-30 does not have these specs.

 

Maybe, but the differences in the oils isn't about long life, it is about what they do at engine temps. So, it doesn't really have anything to do with how often you change.

 

you're on to something my man. I'd rather have an oil that meets specs, (and the shear rating), especially with a turbo. heat is a killer.

 

After doing some research and posting the above quote, I'm flabbergasted by what I found under my hood today. Of course there is a sticker right up front that recommends mini brand oil. When I look carefully the dip stick bracket in engraved: "mini recommends castrol". Now Castrol says not to use their 5w30 in bmw engines, but to use the castrol made bmw brand. Funny that mini would have a note under the hood recommended oil that castrol says not to use!!!

Regardless I bought the A3/B3 rated BMW oil I posted on, much more convenient that the 90 mile away mini dealer.

 

I wonder if that sticker was really intended for European cars and the factory just haven't figured out that USA Castrol is different?

 

I'm guessing that the sticker recommending mini brand oil was intended and that the dip stick bracket is a carry over part from 1st generation mini? Either way the two are in conflict with each other and it won't give mini much of a leg to stand on if they try to void somebody's warranty claim for using the wrong oil as the castrol site indicates they could.

 

Must have found some Euro Castro.

Another alternative is Mobil 1 0W-40, which is ACEA A3 and LL-01. It's a Group IV, Euro oil imported for German cars. I didn't burn any oil in my old M3 with it; I would burn a little with the BMW synthetic, which is likely the cheapest approved oil with a CCA discount.

More info on German Castro: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...643#Post718643

 

I've read all of the posts herein and done a significant amount of web surfing and have verified most of the info that has been shared here. Finding the 5W-30 weight that also meets the ACEA A3/B3 specifications is not possible at my local auto parts outlets. I like to change my oil and filter every 5K miles regardless of synthetic oil or not...seems like cheap insurance. I went to my local MINI dealer and the factory fill oil was $5.75/qt. and the genuine filter was $12. So after about $43 (including 7.75% sales tax) I had all that is required for a oil change using genuine parts and lubricant. For those of us who do our own maintenance this doesn't seem like an excessive cost for the piece of mind that you are using the same stuff the MINI dealer charges about $120 for with labor.