>>>>>>If the Mini comes with Castrol Synthec 0w30 per the BMW(LL01) spec, why does BMW state 5w30 for the Mini?
>>>>Let me get back to you on that.........perhaps I am in error......perhaps it comes from the factory w/ 0w30 (factory fill) and 5w30 is available here.
>>>>
>>
>>this action item is still outstanding. This to let y'all know I am still working on it.
>>
>>Should have the bottom line here shortly (famous last words)

OK, I am back with the report, what follows is a direct quote from "the man" at Castrol Technical Center in the UK, take it for what its worth:

"BMW LL-01 oils only for this engine, so 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30 or 5W-40. So SLX, RS and TXT LL-01 .....only one of which is retail...Formula RS.

Alternatively they could use competitor or XX(name deleted to protect the innocent) LL-01 products."

Bottom line: Want to treat your baby right, look for the LL-01 BMW Approval on the can. Otherwise, I don't care what anybody says, you are not using the PROPER OIL FOR THE PARTICULAR ENGINE. (I am not screaming, just emphasizing)



I will get the word on the Factory Fill story straight from BMW sometime this century......I swear.......

 

>>
>>I will get the word on the Factory Fill story straight from BMW sometime this century......I swear.......
I'm still waiting on my German pal to come through.......

 

OK, I am back WITH an update, straight from the shop manual CD....
a) NO BREAK-IN OILS ARE USED in the BMW manufacturing system. Therefore only approved oils should be used prior to the first service. BMW recommends against the use of additives (they all do that).

Now....ONLY ONE KIND OF OIL IS APPROVED FOR THE W11 ENGINE (MCS) AND TWO FOR THE W10 (MC). We'll ignore the diesel job OK?

Starting with the MC.... both the LL-01 spec oils and the LL 98 spec oils are approved. Here is the list for the LL-98 oils, I will skip the obscure European and furrin' brands brands, as otherwise I'll be typing all day..... See the LL-01 list below as well.......
BMW Super Power PN 81 22 9 407 547 Litre can, 81 22 9 407 002 60 litre jug, 81 22 9 407 029 208 litre drum.....

76 Pure synthetic Motor Oil (5w40), BP Visco 5000 (5w40), BP Visco 5000 Sport (5w40), BP Visco 7000 Sport (5w40), BP Visco 7000 Turbo Diesel Sport (5w40), Castrol formula RS Power and Protection (0w40), Castrol Formula RS Road and Track (5w40), Castrol GTX 7 Dynatec , Castrol Performance, Castrol Syntec, Castrol TXT Softec (all 5w40), Castrol TXT Softec LL98 and Castrol TXT Softec Plus (both 5w30) Havoline Synthetic 5W40, Havoline Synthetic DS (0w30), Havoline Ultra (5w40), Mobil 1 (5w30,5w40) Mobil 1 Rally Formula (5w30, 5w40), Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel (0w40), Mobil Super S, Mobil Synt S, Mobil synt S turbo diesel (all 5w40)
Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula (5w40), Quaker State De Luxe (5w40), Quaker State Full Synthetic European Formula (5w40), Quaker State Synquest (0w30, 5w40), Shell Helix Plus, Plus S (5w40), Shell helix Extra (0w30, 0w40, 5w30, 5w40), Valvoline Durablend MXL (5w40), Valvoline Synpower (5w30, 5w40), Valvoline Syn Power MXL (0w30), Valvoline Syn Pro (5w30, 5w40) Valvoline Syn Pro Diesel (5w40)

The list below is all the approved LL-01 oils for the MCS. (Mini Quality Longlife 01) PN 83 21 0 144 468 (litre can), 83 21 0 144 470 50 gallon (208 lires) drum.
This list was issued in June of 03 and there might be a newer one......

BP Visco 7000(0W40) BP Visco 7000 Special (0w30), BP Visco 7000 turbo Diesel (0w40), Castrol formula SLX (0w30) Castrol Formula SLX Zero-W (0w30), Castrol Formula SLX Turbo Diesel (0w30), Castrol Syntec (0w30), Castrol Super Racing 0w-40, Castrol Softec LL01 (5w30), Havoline Synthetic BM (0w30), Mobil 1 (0w40), Shell Helix Ultra AB (5-w30).

There are more oils on the list, none of them marketed here in the USA., including Yacco VX 1000, my personal favorite and the only TRUE Synthetic oil in the world (watch out for silicone though)......I still owe you the True Factory Fill oil........sorry for the long post.....