How do you figure that it is a snake oil claim? Independent oil analysis has confirmed that certain oils are fine at 10 and 15K. I was using Royal Purple and had it checked at 13 over in Germany and was told I could easily do the 15. Believe what you want, but don't call it snake oil because it simply isn't. I highly doubt Porsche and many others would risk a warranty repair over an extended oil change.

Yes, the engine will quite down for about 100 miles and then go back to the way it was. I equate that to the butt dyno to be honest. In fact, many used car places change to oil to hide engine noises.

For a daily drive that is stock the standard oil length should be fine. Mods and track or heavy driving lower it down. Change constantly at 3K and you are just wasting oil and money in my opinion.

 

My Mini wants me to do my first oil change at 21k. After 14k I decided not to wait any longer and did my own oil change. That still gives me 7k on the new oil until the scheduled change. I'll probably make sure it gets changed every 7-10k.

 

I'm not talking about the extended intervals. I realize I didn't make that very clear. In this instance I was talking about a type of oil's ability to quiet valve clatter. The RP I used after the OEM oil was in there for 13k miles DID quiet the valvetrain signtificantly.

 

Ah, fair enough....

Personally I am now hooked on the Amsoil High Performance. I used to run my MINI on the autobahn and would actually burn some oil over time. However, with the Amsoil that has seemed to stop. I have used it twice now have not had to put a drop in. Love it!

 

Military? I spent three years at Rhein Main AFB in Frankfurt. I use to drive the Autobahn back and forth to work everyday. I had a 1972 BMN 2002 tii at the time. What a blast.

 

Military (Army) and contractor. I was stationed there in 1989 - 1993 in Hanau (actually Erlensee) and then in Heidelberg and Graf as a contractor from 2004 - 2008. I totally miss it, we had a blast!

 

I never did a "break in" oil change but I did do it about 6 months after I got the car at 6500 miles. My 2nd oil change at my 1 year anniversary date at 12,400 miles and then a 3rd oil change when my service light went on at 17,270. I haven't driven much so I'm just going to hold out for my service date (November- 4 months from now). I'm currently at 24,000 which is only 7k more miles in the last service date 8 months ago.

 

I did my break in oil change at 10K. I should have done it sooner and not listened to MINI USA and the Dealer. They told me just follow the computer maintenance reminder!