I don't want to wait until 15k miles for my first oil change, so I'm planning to do one myself very soon (just got to 5K). The Service & Warranty Information booklet that came with my car specifies that you should use MINI High Performance 5W-30 oil. It also lists alternatives that can be used. These are:

Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

I don't understand why the recommend weight of oil would change for the different brands. I don't see why you'd want to use Mobil 1 0W-40 and not 5W-30. Any ideas?

 

0W40 can give you better viscosity (protection) for hot engine temps as well as better oil flow during engine startup.

 

Mobil 1 0W40 meets BMW Longlife 01 and ACEA A3 B3/B4 specs, while
mobil 1 5W30 only meets ACEA A1/B1 specs.

If you do the "what's the right oil for my car" app on the Mobil 1 site, it
recommends the Mobil 1 0W40 only.

https://www.mobiloil.com/usa-english....aspx?option=2

 

should I take the castrol edge 5w-30 out of my car?

 

There are some realy strong opinions here but I do not think you need to.

 

Oil thread, here we go again...

 

Great. Thank you. That's exactly what I need to know.

 

Yup, you should be fine with an LL-01 or ACEA A3 oil. There are a few less well known oils that meet those specs, but have not made it to MINI's list. Castrol Edge may bring over their 0W-40 in the future. It has an LL-01 rating but isn't available in the USA at this time.

 

You probably already know what I think, but it would take a thorough study to give you a definitive answer. Do what gives you peace of mind.

 

Is there a definitive answer as to when to change your oil for the first time and what to put in it? i have an 09 MCS with just about 1000 miles on it.

 

MiniSQ, do it now, do it now. If you want some post oil change piece of mind, then catch your oil in a clean container, then filter it through a paper towel, then examine inside the pleats of your filter. You'll be amazed at what you find. Or you can trust BMW and drink the kool-aid. It is your money. Or you can spend $30 on an oil analysis to prove that you don't need to spend $30 on an oil change.

You pay big bucks to buy the thing in the first place, so don't be penny foolish now. I am very opinionated about this, just the way I am. I have taken apart far too many engines to be otherwise.

YD

 

I agree i want to change the oil soon...my mini dealer is 50 miles away...my regular oil guy is 1 mile away...so i want to mail order some oil and a filter...

Links?

 

morristownmini for the filter, see
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...tegoryID=82201

Go to Walmart to pick up the oil.

 

hehe, I don't know what you think, feel free to send me a PM, always willing to listen....

 

I thought I'd made infamous status for my opinion that you shouldn't use anything but an ACEA A3 rated oil in 2nd Generation MINIs.

 

Mini filter and Mobil 1 0w-40 oil for me. Had my local garage change it for me.

 

just ordered the filter $32 bucks....it may have been for 3 filters..who knows

and a 6 pack of Mobile 0w40 synthetic for $46...now i'm gonna guess $35 plus for my mechanic to change the oil...

Hopefully this will last me awhile *sigh*

 

you can buy one oem oil filter from Detroit tuned for 10 bucks.

 

Filters should cost $10-15. So, maybe you got two or three. I paid $30 for MINI branded 5W-30.

Should last you 5,000 to 10,000 miles, depending on the kind of driving, length of trips, and environmental conditions.

 

The best and easiest thing to do (it was for me, anyway) is just get Mini brand filters and oil. I'm sure the Mobile 1 will be ok if its too inconvient to drive xxx miles to the Mini dealer and ordering several Mini filters online is pretty easy to do. When you take it in for routine servicing, buy a case of oil in the parts dept and you will be set! I paid <$100 for a case of oil and two filters. There may be some discounts, like 10% off, that you can probably get too.

 

exactly...my mini dealer is 1.5 hrs away...so clicking "buy now" is much easier...even if it is a little more expensive.

 

It's been mentioned before, but Pep Boys has the Castrol Syntec 0w30 on sale, $25 for five quarts. The deal also includes a Fram filter, but Fram doesn't make a MINI filter. You can buy up to 10 quarts at that price.

 

mt local garage charged me $16 labor for the oil change.

 

Fram does make a Mini compatible filter Model # CH9584.

 

I think what he meant is that Fram filter is not available with the offer on Syntec oil. They have $10 (approx) limit on the filter you can choose with this offer and the fram mini filter is real expensive.