Oil filter?
Oil filter?
We just bought an 2003 MCS this weekend.Will be doing some basic maint. myself.Does anyone know if the oil filter is the same as any BMW? I have a BMW dealer 5 minutes away nearest Mini dealer is 60 miles.I assume Mobil 1 is the oil of choice.Thanks in advance from a newbie owner
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,349
Likes: 2
From: Concord, California
Welcome to NAM and the MINI world
My local Autozone and Kragens both carry filters... STP at Autozone and Framm at Kragens.
If your local chain store doesnt have it ... most can order and have the next day... just ask them.
As far as Oil you are going to get MANY to chime in.
Use good oil and, change regularly.
I use Red Line 10 - 40
My local Autozone and Kragens both carry filters... STP at Autozone and Framm at Kragens.
If your local chain store doesnt have it ... most can order and have the next day... just ask them.
As far as Oil you are going to get MANY to chime in.
Use good oil and, change regularly.
I use Red Line 10 - 40
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Last edited by MiNi_MaC; Jun 30, 2008 at 12:09 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
We just bought an 2003 MCS this weekend.Will be doing some basic maint. myself.Does anyone know if the oil filter is the same as any BMW? I have a BMW dealer 5 minutes away nearest Mini dealer is 60 miles.I assume Mobil 1 is the oil of choice.Thanks in advance from a newbie owner
actually oil of choice from mini is castrol 100% synthetic.
as far as filter, any autoparts store will stock one.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
Problem being, most (if not all) of the Castrol (and Mobil) now sold in this country is no longer 100% synthetic. Royal Purple, Amsol, Redline, Lucas on the other hand...
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,103
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From: Phoenix AZ
how could that be? if it is not made from crude oil, then it is synthetic.
anyway, its what the manufacture of the car has stamped under the hood. if they recomend it, then its good enough for me.
after all they made the car, who am I to argue with them
anyway, its what the manufacture of the car has stamped under the hood. if they recomend it, then its good enough for me.
after all they made the car, who am I to argue with them
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,103
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From: Phoenix AZ
I thought it odd that a motor oil company would list an oil product 100% sythentic if it was not, so I went on the castrol website and found this list of product descriptions. it lists in fact that it is 100% synthetic.
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Just follow the spec's. ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01. If it's on the bottle, you'll be fine!
Mobil 1 0W-40 and German Castrol 0W-30 are both spec'd for this. Good reports from folks using RP, Amsol, and Redline. Though I'll stick with an oil that has both of these spec's on the bottle.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, PA
The Mobil 1 15K mile extended is still 100% Syn. their others are blended. Many of the Amsol oils are blends.. you need to go to their website to be sure. Don't know much about Lucas. RP is syn but only Redline is 100% with an ester base stock which classifies Redline as a Group V oil. The others are group IV or lower.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
The Mobil 1 15K mile extended is still 100% Syn. their others are blended. Many of the Amsol oils are blends.. you need to go to their website to be sure. Don't know much about Lucas. RP is syn but only Redline is 100% with an ester base stock which classifies Redline as a Group V oil. The others are group IV or lower.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 0
From: Uniontown, PA
At 3-5K intervals any of the oils listed will be fine. I just paid $8.00 at qt. for Redline 5w30 at Summit. Waht are you paying for Royal Purple?
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2008
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D
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,103
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix AZ
0W-30W?
The owners manual calls for 5W-40W and 5W-30W it also says "use oils with the API SH specification or higher"
I wont mess around when it comes to oil, or gas (91 or better). Even with my shop discount, a new bottom end is 4K+
The owners manual calls for 5W-40W and 5W-30W it also says "use oils with the API SH specification or higher"
I wont mess around when it comes to oil, or gas (91 or better). Even with my shop discount, a new bottom end is 4K+
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Mystic, Connecticut
Back to the original question...
It may very well be that the Mini shares a filter element with some other BMWs. A quick search on www.realoem.com didn't yield a matching part number, but there are many different BMW's to choose from.
I get the OEM filter from my local Foreign Car Parts. In my case, www.fcpgroton.com . Check the phone book, you might have one close by you. If I recall correctly, it is a MANN filter. I'm sure the Napa Gold filter is very good, but I don't mess around with parts store filters. Not when the OEM one is available and in some cases cheaper than an aftermarket one of unknown quality.
My best advice on oil is to consult your owners manual.
I get the OEM filter from my local Foreign Car Parts. In my case, www.fcpgroton.com . Check the phone book, you might have one close by you. If I recall correctly, it is a MANN filter. I'm sure the Napa Gold filter is very good, but I don't mess around with parts store filters. Not when the OEM one is available and in some cases cheaper than an aftermarket one of unknown quality.
My best advice on oil is to consult your owners manual.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
Yeah, it's $6.99 a quart @ Schuck's (same company as Murray's -CSK Inc. Now owned by O'Rielly's).
Last edited by Ancient Mariner; Jul 2, 2008 at 09:22 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 3
From: Washington. No, the other one.
Like a junkie waitin' for a fix. Hang in there! Just in time for the weekend and... MOTORIN'!