Hi. I've had my MINI Cooper (not S) since June. Have driven 5,000 miles, about 4,000 of them would be considered "severe driving conditions." Meaning: very frequent stop-and-go driving, very short trips (it's only 3 miles to and from work each day, plus short trips for lunch and then back to the office..), and lots of "stop-and-go" traffic driving. I know, that kind of driving sucks when you're driving a MINI, but anyway...once in a while I get to open it up... :smile:

To the point: The day I took delivery, I checked the oil dipstick. It was right at the top of the mark and completely clean, like honey. Now, at 5,000 miles, I checked it, and of course it's much darker in colour...but here's the part I'm worried about...it was a bit more than 1/2 a quart low. (right in the center of the hash marked area on the stick.) I put in a tad over 1/2 quart of Mobil One 5W 30 and it's now at the top of the hash marks once again.

Is it normal for the MINI to "eat" 1/2 quart of oil in 5K miles... I wonder if I hadn't checked, if it would have been 1 whole quart low at my first 10K service? Good thing I checked anyway...


Rock On,

Joe

PS- and oh yea, the once royal blue coolant in the reserve tank is now a royal doo-doo brown colour. Heh.



PS- There are no leaks that I know of...park it in same spot at work, and nightly in a garage and the floor is clean clean clean...

 

boognish,
Aloha and greetings,
I think you are doing fine and keep checking your oil level. It might drop more later.
I had to add a half quart around 2500 miles and again at about 5000 miles. Some people change oil early about 5000 to 6000 miles. Nearly a quart low at 10K miles is not a big deal. It's just time to change oil.

Your coolant is discolored- you can report it but it tends to get discolored again. As long as the coolant bottle is not leaking then it is OK- ask your service advisor for the latest remedy.

 

Hey there Joe, sounds like you and I have the same driving habits, I got my MINI a year ago and my oil usage was about the same as yours, today I have about 9,000 miles and tommorrow is my first scheduled service at 9500 miles and the oil level is just above the add line, so I don't think your to far off normal based on our driving experiences/routine.

My coolant was also brown by 4,000miles, but from past threads here, I guess it is not a problem, although I am going to have my dealer look at it as well.

_________________
Pepper White Cooper,
Black Top & Mirrors,
Sport Seats, Fog Lights,
8 Spoke wheels, Cruise

 

I've read about oil consumption on MINIs before. Some consume, some don't. Mine has been level since new 20k miles ago. As long as you check it in intervals, should be nothing to worry about.



_________________
-goin440
IB/IB MC on 17" Volks

 

Yeah, I added a little over 1/2 quart at between 5000 and 6000 miles. I don't think this is unusual. On other cars, that recommend the oil be changed every 3000 miles, I think you just never notice it.

 

How were you able to read the dipstick?

 

It could also depend on how you broke your engine in. If you flogged it right from the beginning then it might burn a bit more oil than an engine that was broken in according to the manufacturers guideline.

 

Park on a level surface let the engine cool and pull and clean off the dipstick. Later come back and insert it fully then pull out in one second. It will slide in clean and dry and only when you pull out will leave the oil film. This read is usually easy to tell at what level is the oil then fill to top line or close. Check each gas fill up and before every road rally or track session.

I did have 1/2 quart low at 2000 miles and 1/2 low at 5000 but all OK since now at almost 7000. Always use full synthetic oil. I matched my factory Castrol synthetic 5W-30 about $4.90 at Walmart per quart.