For the life of me I cant find any info on the stock oil, mainly the weight and brand. I think its Castrol 5w-30 but the manual states MINI Performance oil 5w-30 and if thats not available its like a 0w-30 weight.

Why would alternatives be a 0w weight and not the same 5w-30?

I ask this as it looks like the MINI is burning a bit. Im not surprised since the GTI burned almost 2 quarts between its 5k oil changes.

Oh and I hate the dipstick....

 

From MiniUSA.com website:
If I need to top off* my oil between services, is there specific oil I should use?

If you’re low, top off with MINI High Performance Synthetic 5W-30 Oil (MINI part number 07 51 0 143 829) — the very oil we use for scheduled engine oil changes. If MINI High Performance Synthetic Oil is unavailable, we recommend using only the following approved synthetic oils.

Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market

• - 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

And yes, I know what you you're saying about the dipstick!

 

Typical Castrol 5W-30 synthetic does not cut it for the extended drain intervals. The oils in the second post do. Castrol Euro Formula 0W-30 is sold at Autozone (and is hard to find otherwise), and of course Mobil 1 0W-40 is carried at most auto parts stores. I noticed the Mini oil at $6.50 at the SF dealer is actually cheaper than the (recently increased) typical $7.99 price for most of the synthetics at the parts stores.

 

Many oils listed in the USA as synthetic are really superrefined mineral oil. Those with A3/b3 spec also called European formula or spec are true synthetics with a polyol ester base stock. What is the difference? Supposedly the polyol ester base stock is more stable at sustained high temperatures and they are much more expensive to manufacture.

 

OK thanks for the explanation. I think my local Advance stocks the Castrol 0w-30. I will check in the AM.

 

Another one available in the US, but harder to find is Total Quartz 9000 Energy 0w30. It is a French brand, meets ACEA A3/B4 and BMW LL01. I found it at a local import auto parts store, also available on the internet.
I used it last winter before I knew about Mobil 1 0w40 which available at a closer store. I think it made the car run quieter and flowed better in the cold.

http://www.lubricants.total.com/lub/...256EF3004DB954&

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...tm_term=802212

 

Thanks for all the info. I stopped by the dealer yesterday and bought a quart and a stainless MCS plate surround. Oil there is cheaper than the Castol at Autozone...

 

If I wanted to top off with Royal Purple can I use any weight or is there a specific one for MINI's?

 

RP recommends their 5w30.

 

I've always used the Mobil1 for my oil changes between the regular dealer visits, but I was just surfing amazon when I came across a new Penzoil "ultra euro" 5-40 ..
the data sheet for it includes BMW-LL01, Acea A3 rating and so on...
The cost is $0.49 less than the Mobil1 for a case of 6, I'm just thinking it might be nice to have a little heavier weight on startup for the sake of the chain tensioner vs. the Mobil1. I haven't priced out oil at the dealer yet either, I'm just lazy and get free prime shipping on amazon.

Maybe a oil nerd can decode the ratings/specs
http://www.pennzoil.com/documents/PE...ropean5W40.pdf