Hello i would like to know at what millage i should change the oil i change it when it was 10,000 right know it has 18,300 and what type of oil and brand i should get??????

 

Do a search, you'll get anything from every 3,000 mile to 10,000 miles and all sort of oils and filters. You're choice...

 

Time: Anytime between 3,000 and 10,000 depending on how hard you drive it. Being Canadian, I've been going by 10,000km which is about 6000mi. Mini's own recommendations are much much too long - which they've reflected by lowering them. They're still too high though.

Filters: go hit up a Mini dealer, or find it online. They're $5 give or take. There's no point getting a non-OEM one, it doesn't save you anything.

Oil Brand: I've seen Mobil 1 and Castrol recomended, and also Royal Purple. Basically stick to one of the bigger more well known brands of Synthetic with the LL4 grade and you're good. You'll find people arguing the specifics until the sun burns out. BMW's "own" stuff isn't so bad pricewise either .

Oil Grade: Either 0w or 5w (depending on how cold your locale gets) 30 or 40. BMW sell 5w30, but I've seen notes on other forums suggesting they're moving to 0w40 instead.

 

I would suggest you follow the OBC. When it gets down to zero go ahead and change it. With about 8,300 miles since the last change, you are on the low side for an interval.

MINI has a recommended list of oils. I try to look for anything ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL01 rated, though there are good oils that don't have those certifications (e.g. Royal Purple, Amsoil, etc.).

As far as weight, it depends on the brand of oil. MINI's list provides the recommended weights, though in some cases it is now out of date. Castrol and MINI-branded oil are either 0w or 5w and then 30 where Mobil1 and Pennzoil tend toward 0w or 5w and 40. You may have to check on the oil company's web site to figure out the correct weight.

 

If you are planning on keeping the car forever, change the oil more frequently. If not, just change it according to the OBC.

 

As Benibiker suggested, there is absolutely NO consensus on this form on this subject. There are likely a hundred or more threads on the subject. If you want to start a heated discussion on NAM, this would be the subject to do it. We'll see how long this version runs and how much agreement / disagreement there is in the opinions expressed.

As it happens, I am changing my oil today at 5K miles since the last change and I stick to that interval because it seems to work for me. It's easy to remember every 5K and it's a between the 3K and 10K typically recommended.

 

Thaks,for the help!

 

With the complications that can arise due to overlong change intervals, I play it safe and change at 5000, using oil and filters purchased at the dealer. I figure that 5000 is a reasonable mileage, and using the "official" oil and filter will (hopefully) give me some leverage with the dealer in case something goes wrong someday.

Spridget

 

An interesting observation that makes me think every 5k is better than following OBC recommendation. My son has an 09 Clubman and he has followed the MINI recommended change interval following the OBC. I, on the other hand, have changed oil and filter every 5K miles. A few months ago with 33K miles on his motor and 20K miles on my motor a simple inspection of the valve train looking through the oil filler cap hole revealed a dark honey / maple syrup colored appearance in his valve train and a much lighter golden silver color in my valve train. When I changed oil again at 25K miles yesterday, my valve train still has the same light golden silver coloring.

Now I am not sure if my son's Clubman was developing any sludging or if the dark colored deposits were permanent, but the appearance of the two valve trains was and is distinctly different.

Just my observation, for what it's worth.