NAM family! I have always been the type of guy who changes it's baby's oil every 3K miles (back when mineral oil was all we had).

Since I live very close to work, my new Mini, and '07 R56, only has around 3K miles (in one year). The dealership down here tells me that the oil will degrade after 2 years.

What do you guys think? Should we still change the oil aver 5K-10K miles when the mileage has not been reached? After all, this thin film of oil is the only thing that stands between long life and disaster!

 

I know most oil manufactures will recommend changing the oil at a minimum of every year regardless of mileage.

 

On the advice of my motorhead buddy...I changed my oil at just recently at 4500...He recommened 1200 (right after break in) but I couldn't get it done due to timing. The change was more to clean out any metal bits that may be in the oil to reduce wear on the engine internals.

Do a search...there are quite a few threads regarding why a lot of Nam'ers have changed their oil wayyyyy before the 15K mark

 

Take a look at this thread there is a very loooong discussion about, this is but one of many.

 

Here's another:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=138106

They did an oil analysis after 5K.

 

After one year, your dealer owes you an oil change. It wont be the full 15,000+ mile service, but they should change the oil, filter, and check other fluid levels.

If this is your break-in oil, I would change it immediately. If you do it yourself, you can send a sample off to a lab and have it analyzed. That will give you an idea when you should do your next oil change. With your low mileage driving, the oil may not last as many miles as those who do a lot of highway driving.

One popular lab is: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/standard_analysis.html
It is also a good idea to get TBN done as well. Cost would be around $30.

If you want a really complete analysis, and are willing to pay $60, use [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Terry Dyson.[/SIZE][/FONT]

 

Thanks to all. We don't have many labs like the one you mention down here. I may save it and bring it with me home, Chicago, on my next trip!

 

Also, BMW in Europe recommends and uses Castrol Edge, which I believe in both the States and Mexico is Castrol Syntec!

 

I changed mine after break-in at 1,200 miles, and I'll be changing it twice a year, once by me and once by the dealer. I drive about 8k miles per year, with a lot of local short-trip driving in cold weather, which is hard on any oil.

 

I've read that BMW/MINI oil is Castrol TXT Softec http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...1_B1567_02.pdf TXT Softec is not available in the US under the Castrol label so the only source would be BMW dealers. I believe Castrol Syntec is not exactly the same formulation. As for Syntec available in the US, most is made in the USA but the Syntec for the connoisseur is made in Germany a.k.a. German Castrol 0W30 (GC). I'll bet GC would work fine inside the MINI.

BTW, a short commute is even more reason to change the oil out after 12 months. If a trip is less than 15-20 minutes, it means that the engine never gets a chance to get up to full operating temperature. At less than full operating temperature the water from combustion may not burn off resulting in moisture in the oil and the exhaust.

 

After break-in at 1200k and every 3k.Seems to have worked for my almost 300k of MINI miles

 

I got the oil type and specs from Castrol's UK webpage, http://www.castrol.com/castrol/ifram...tentId=7044829 , and confirmed by my local dealers in Chitown and Mexico (Syntec 0W-30 in Chicago and 5W-40 down here).

 

i put 2500 miles on her in the first month....did the first oil change @ 1200miles.

 

I got mine done by the dealer at 11 months / 14,000. I was there for another reason and they did the oil change to save me coming back a month later.