Honestly, if you are able to follow directions, give it a try. Normally people don't think they can do it because they are afraid. Give it a shot its really quite simple and will give you courage to try other things you never knew you could do.

 

SJ is the API rating that an oil meets. It doesn't mean much as I'm sure there are many regular dino oils that meet SJ but Mini requires a synthetic in the R56. To make matters worse BMW and Mini don't do extended engine testing on non true synthetics like the America version of Castrol Syntec and many of the other recent crop of cheap "synthetic oils"

If the bottle didn't say made in Germany (from autozone) that isn't true synthetic oil. It's a long story but that story is told here.

As for what a Mini parts guy said, what the heck does he know about oil? For that matter, and to be blunt what do many automotive technicians know about oil? Many of them still say not to put synthetic in older engines. Not to take anything away, there are good at diagnosing problems and replacing parts. The people that understand oil are called tribologists usually with a phD after their name.

Here's the only confirmation of Mini factory oil in an R56 MSC:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=123 and that only lasted 8000 miles.

 

Ok, lets not too bent out of shape here, it is only an oil change. BTW, exactly which formulation is used at the dealer-European or American castrol? Let's not speculate, but answer if you know the facts. The owners manual does not make any distinction about where the oil was manufactured, but lists the service rating minimum for (synthetic) oil. The bracket that supports the oil dipstick is imprinted (not just a sticker, but stamped into the metal...) "Mini recommends Castrol".

BTW, the story cited in the last post is fine reading, but that guy is admittedly not a tribiologist either. (BTW, the correct use of the abbreviation for a doctorate degree (of philosophy) is Ph.D

Anyway, enough nitpicking. I think most would agree to change the oil at 1200 miles after break in (which is what the tech section guys in Roundel recommend as well as the guys at Car and Driver-if it was their personal car) and then follow the factory recommendations for 1year/15k miles (the exception in my mind would be if you were autoxing every weekend or other severe service).

I am a doctor and did stay at a Holiday Inn Express...

 

OK, so the CASTROL that is synthetic and supposed to be changed every 15K miles only lasted about 9K? I am a little confused now. I just passed 1000 miles and should be changing the oil by Dec. 8

Any ideas of where can I get the true synthetic Castrol 5W-30 or maybe I can use the Mobil 1 gold cap 15K extended synthetic oil?

 

The MINI branded oil that MINI dealers sell is lableled "Made in the USA."

 

Then I would bet that a bottle of Mini oil in England or another European country has a different part number as they likely get the super special "German Castrol". Only spectral analysis would otherwise tell us what's what. So, who can request part number in a European country?

As for the comment about it JUST being an oil change, oil is the lifeblood of the motor. You put in crap, expect crap results. Go take a look at what's happening to Audi RS4s right now. If you use one of the correct VW/Audi spec oils for that motor it will done well before the specified oil change interval due to fuel dilution. You can do what you want, but I'm not made of money. I don't want to have to start saving for an engine rebuild.

 

So is the German Version of the Castrol Syntec readily available? If not what other brand can I use?

Thanks

 

Yes, Autozone carries it. 0W-30. Look for "Made in Germany" on the bottle.

To all, make sure the oil states ACEA A3/B3 & BMW LL-01 certified. Look on the bottle. If it doesn't list it, look for an oil that does. German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0W-40 both carry these specs. If I had the choice, I'd go with the GC over Mobil 1. But both are fine oils though.

I change my oil at mid intervals, (not drinking the BMW accountant kool-aide). 7,500 miles when running with GC. And when running with Mobil 1 0W-40, I won't push that beyond 5-6000 miles. (GC has a better shear rating).