Theoretically, it would not cause more oil to be burned.

 

So if that piston rings theory is correct, then replacing the engine pistons with new ones and driving the car enthusiastically i take it that this will fix the oil burning issue, am i right?

 

You would replace the rings...

 

Oh i can just replace the rings? Can this procedure (engine dismantling) create any side effects to the running of the motor? I ask cause i dont want to create more issues than i already have!

 

Not really, would need to re-hone the cylinders and replace the rings. The pistons could possibly be reused if they are in good order.
Also I believe it is more an issue of engine load rather than just RPM when running in a new engine. A long spirited drive along a hilly road is usually a good way to bed the rings in on a new motor whilst the hone is still fresh.

 

Burning more than a quart of oil every 1000 miles in a modern car is totally unacceptable on any level. The problem is seating the rings when they use these slick modern oils from day one. Remember baxk inthe day you were told to break the car in on regular oil and then switch to synthetic once the car is broken in. Just depends how hard you want to push them.

My wifes first SLK burned a quart every 500 miles. She broke the car in easy. MB said that was normal. I said yes for 68 Nova with 250K not a brand new car. I ask for the proud German Engineer in charge of engines to sign off that is normal and acceptable. Was not going to happen. I had to tell my story and chase a few potential customers and MB got the message loud and clear. They replaced the car with a brand new model year SLK. It was not easy. They want you to go away. I wasn't. It all came down to how much money I was goign to cost them. My dealer was clsoed on weekends. Going to the other dealer is what got there attention. The dealer called Corp. to find out why this mad customer was out front with signs and SLK that burns a quart of oil every 500 mikles which you say is acceptable. They offered to replace the car that day. Good luck. Must becaue they say its normal doesn't mean it is. My question to MB was. You says its "normal". Do you think a jury will on a car that cost 65K and has 10k miles on it. I will take that chance every day. Obviously MB didn't want to roll the dice on that one either. I will say at MB once I got to the right level they were more than fair. Dealing with the your dealer is ussually waste of time unless yo have an exceptional dealer or a strong relationship there.

 

What oils are the folks with consumption problems using?

 

I've used the regular MINI oil and recently tried Amsoil 5w30 with similar results.

Mike

 

Have you seen my thread? That was due to rings, it's cheeper to buy a new short block then replace the rings.

 

no i havent seen it, what thread are you talking about?

 

This one

 

I think it's worth trying to go to a thicker oil, 0w or 5w-40. I'm running Joe Gibbs DT40 in mine, plan to go to 10k see what type of consumption I have + get an analysis. I ran it in my Corvette a while back that had consumption problems and it stopped it cold (had a 2007 C-6).

 

1. Do you think i should first try using thicker oil?
2. Is there any possibility of harming my motor if i use diff oil than what bmw recommends?

 

Don't use a thinner oil, but you can use a different oil and see if that helps. My R53 was drinking Mobile 1 so I switched to a different oil and it slowed dramatically. Now I may use 2 quarts between changes (using Amsoil now). You won't harm your engine using a different brand of oil.

 

A thicker oil won't harm, nor will straying from what BMW recommends. There are several oils approved by Mini that are 0w-40 or 5w-40. It's worth a try. Mobil-1 0w-40 can be had at Walmart for $26 for a 5qt jug.

 

Make sure it's fully synthetic

 

2 quarts is a lot. No point in running Amsoil if you're gonna burn it away (and I'm an Amsoil Dealer). The only real advantage of running Amsoil is for Extended Oil change intervals, it is one of the best out there in that regard. I started using them mainly for their transmission and gear oils for off-road and truck applications, but I have run their oils for 15-20k. I had an '07 Vette that consumed oil, and it got no better with Amsoil. Between using a thicker oil and shifting from 1st to 4th for daily driving (keeping the rpms down), my consumption problem stopped, others chose to fool around with catch cans and PCVs...... whatever floats your boat. I chose Joe Gibbs DT-40, and Maxima 5w-40, ran them both from 10-15k, and had no consumption. May not be the fix for everyone, but worked for a lot. One thing is for sure, there are way better oils to be had then Mini Brand, I don't care who makes it (for them).

Lots of people on both sides of the fence on break-in. Some say baby it, some say drive it like you stole it....I've seen both sides have consumption problems.

 

2 quarts over 15K is not a lot. Mobile 1 was leaving my car at twice that rate.

 

It is not bad for 15k, I was under the impression that most people had backed down to 7,500-10k. Still, you'd fair better going with thicker oil, and there are cheaper oils that are more readily available for you to use if you even have to replace 2 quarts in 15k. Rotella T6 would hold up just fine, and I know it is not LL-01 spec'd, but you're not running it around the Autobahn either. Try Mobil 0w-40, or better yet you can get Mag-1, which is LL-01 approved for $5.41 per quart!

 

I'm content with my choice of oil. The other poster was asking questions and fyi, my MINI was raised on the Autobahn. I lived in Germany for 4 years and bought it there.

 

Sorry to have bothered you, carry on.

 

To the people with consumption issues. You are running fully synthetic right?

 

yes full synthetic

 

it's 2 quarts more than my cms all4 has used

 

I use 0-40 and I never had consumption issues. Well till my rings crapped out and it was squirting oil out the exhaust lol. Now everything is good back on 0-40