Unacceptable in my book too, but many have had worse.
Lots of people losing a quart per 1000..... Japanese makes as well. Some of it is Manufacturers trying to use 20wt for fuel savings...

 

Using the latest R56 s models crankcase ventilation system will fix the oil consumption issue that the older models have... can this be more than a rumor?

 

I had an oil change about 5 weeks ago. I drive about 200/250 miles per week, and check the oil level weekly. I normally add about 1/4 of a quart every week to keep the level at the bottom of the upper bulb on the dipstick.
Someone else has posted that they use oil until they are about 1/2 way between the bumps on the dipstick, then the oil level stabilizes.
I've resisted the temptation to add oil, and can confirm that there is something to this. The first two weeks, the oil level dropped about 1/4" each week. After reaching the middle of the distance between the bumps (about 2 weeks), it has dropped less than 1/4" in 3 weeks. So that means that I am about 3/4 of a quart low after 5 weeks.
It is still cold here in Buffalo, so I am still getting 6-8 oz of water and oil out of my catch can weekly. My driving routine is pretty consistent, and the oil useage has been stable over the last year or so.
Interesting results, I will post updates every once in a while.....

Mike

 

I use the 5w30 as recommended, my 48K mile 2009 S uses no measurable amount of oil between changes, at once a year intervals, never has. I used to change twice a year/every 7500, but I drive about 5K a year now, so once a year is my current plan.

 

Throwing this out there - i just had an engine replaced after 95k due to oil consumption (didn't know about it, as the engine crapped out 25 days after i bought it - didn't think i had to check the oil yet). It was most likely due to bad exhaust valve seats. Have em checked if you're burning a lot of oil....cheaper than a new engine...trust me.

 

Just had my engine replaced as well... My 2007 was burning oil, and although it is common in mini's to burn oil, I had no idea it burnt THAT much. Anyway, my oil was changed a month ago with no sign of metal in the oil pan. After a recent oil change, an accumulation of metal flakes were found in the oil pan due to low oil and a lifeless bearing. Lesson learned here, check the oil level VERY often -- More than a regular vehicle. There will be no sign of performance change, so learn from my mistake.

 

Bet you are leaking it at the turbo oil feed line versus burning... that is what my Mini R6 did also. Now that I replaced my oil feed line.... oil consumpsion is way down!

 

+1

I have never had a turbo car that did not use a quart or so every oil change, especially when running more boost.

 

The catch can seems logical if the engine has PCV issues. You may still need to add oil but at least the oil is not being burnt and fouling other systems.

 

where exactly is the oil feed line?

 

Top of turbo - back line... if the turbo is oily/wet at all... it is leaking. Normally it is clean and dry... if it is puddling... it is leaking a lot.

 

My turbo feed line was my issue, just changed it out today . NO more oil burning smell !
Way Motor Works here in Atlanta is where I bought my kit.

 

Mobile 1 0W40 really helps.

 

The answer to the question "How did you fix the oil burning issue for the R56 ?" for me was easy. I stopped adding oil. Yes, that is over simplified, so I'll explain.

I bought my Mini new and have always changed the oil at intervals of 5-6k miles with a new filter. I usually use the Mobil 1 0-40 European but sometimes the Mini oil. I checked the oil when the engine was cold and always found it would be about half way down the stick. So I would add a half a quart to get it up to full.

I read a thread here on NAM about six months ago where they discussed the expansion of the oil when going from cold to hot and also that the Mini manual recommends checking the oil when warm and only adding oil when the oil level gets down to the low mark (the lower bump) on the dipstick.

So now I only add oil when the oil is down to the lower bump on the stick and I only add about one-half a quart. Now my oil level is typically at the middle between the two bumps and I only rarely have to add oil.

It seems as though I was overfilling my Mini and it was burning it up, probably adding to my carbon buildup issues.

 

Well since replacing the oil lines on the turbo and having this catch can I haven't had a problem. Hmm I have no idea it just stopped burning oil.

 

Having said I'd never seen any oil burned, I suddenly had the oil level just below halfway this week. Its pretty hard to see levels which are in the upper half of the range, it sweeps up oil as you push it in. So it may have been in that upper half before and I never noticed.

As we were just off to a track day I added 0.25l of Castrol Syntec.

 

When could you smell oil burning, every time the engine was running, or just in hard driving?

Can you show us the turbo feed line? Ifs its leaking would we see some color to it?

 

My turbo feed line was leaking at the block connection.(Most leak at the upper turbo connection). My oil ran down the front of the block and behind the shielding. I would see drips on the drive way where I parked.
The turbo oil line leak would go down the front of the block behind the shielding then drip on the down pipe.
The burnt oil smell came from the down pipe. Also at speed it would blow onto the oil pan and transmission bell housing. making it look as the oil pan was leaking.
I have driven 85 miles plus since yesterday. No burning smell or oil blow back on the oil pan. Also no oil spots on the drive way.
I replaced both the feed and return turbo oil lines while I had everything apart. I bought the kit from Way Motor Works in Atlanta. I also replaced the turbo downpipe gasket and the downpipe to exhaust clamp. I cleaned everything with two cans of brake cleaner.(Do not get the brake cleaner on your paint).
It took me 5-6 hours after taking a few breaks. You will need a 10mm 12mm gear wrench and sockets. A 4" and 8" extension a few screw drivers.
When replacing some of the bolts place a piece of paper across the socket and push the bolt into it to hold the bolt in the socket
Don't forget to disconnect your battery before starting

Parts where 128.00 since I did not have shipping.

 

The turbo oil line is the one in the middle with the 7/8 bolt going thru it. It leaks where the solid line goes into the banjo fitting. Do not wiggle, it could come apart ! This is with the new stainless flex line in place, not the factory solid line. Get the stainless flex line !


If you need two engines..

 

thanx, but did you get any smell in the cabin when driving hard?

 

More post event for many on this thread but of benefit for readers looking for results that work. My partners justa was consuming 1 litre of oil every 800 miles before an engine rebuild. Due to other mechanical issues it was necessary to tear the engine down and as part of the rebuild process we replaced the pistons and rings. Specifically we replaced the factory fitted one piece oil control ring with a more 'industry' standard 3 piece oil control ring on all cylinders. Fro some reason, maybe cost, PSA Group/BMW chose a single piece oil control ring which seems to fail after a period of time/use. In the case of my partner's mini this was around 45,000 miles. Before this point we never topped up the oil, from 45,000 miles I was adding oil every week. Personal view, but I think the factory fitted oil control rings fail and from what I see/hear, it is wide spread across the Prince engine range. Since the rebuild, we have clocked over 3000 miles and the oil hasn't moved on the dipstick - zero consumption. So if you are thinking about how to sort your oil consumption problem you may want to consider replacing the oil control rings - only though if you are up for an engine rebuild.