I notice my manual says use 5w 30 or 5w 40 synthetic but I was sent 0w 40 synthetic.

Is that OK for the r53 "s"?

 

Yup...
Actually a better oil in most cases.

 

Thanks zippy.

 

15500 miles between oil changes?

I just reset the oil service counter and that's what shows now.

Does anyone go that long between oil changes?

 

No. I do roughly 7500 miles between oil changes. I don't care what the maintenance schedule says, I don't trust any oil filter to work effectively any longer than that. The synthetic oil, maybe. But if I'm changing the filter, I might as well put in fresh oil as well. I'm lucky to get it wholesale price anyway. If I didn't, I'd probably change the filter at 7500, and top up the oil, then do both at 15,000.

 

I usually do 7500 or 6 months...spring and fall works out great!!
So I can avoid a cold garage....
I might suggest you change your oil the day after a track/autox day if you are into that...
Some do 5000...
I just find splitting the factory miles in half seems good, and then I reset the factory counter every other time...so very convient. Some folks that do testing found 15,000 is OK with good oil...but personally I am more comfortable going with 7500...
Since I usually drive about 7000 miles a year in the mini (on average.. Some more like 15000, some.more like 5000), I could do it yearly...but getting under it and inspecting stuff, cleaning the is fan, etc is a good move IMO.

 

I do 5k mile synthetic mobile1 5w30. Maybe I'm paranoid 😳

 

Hi from all the like-minded folk in UK.


IMO what doesn't seem to feature in oil change threads is the d-i-y factor.


It's cheap, easy and satisfying to 'treat' your own engine at home to an oil+filter change in between service intervals but when you have to plan to get to a dealer and hang around to pay extortionate prices for parts and labour charges, an extra oil change becomes a serious economic decision rather than a piece of satisfying and useful preventative maintenance.


It'd be interesting to find out how many of the '7500-oil-changers' do it themselves and how many of the rigid '15000-as-per-manufacturer' types rely totally on dealer input.

And synth or semi-synth? At 7500ml oil changes it doesn't really matter as long as the oil is kept fresh and clean. New filter every time? Yes, it's a no-brainer when you d-i-y. Why complicate life by finding the optimum oil life or economic overlap time? Just DO it more frequently and cherish your MINI is my motto!

 

I agree with you 100%. You can never change your oil too often. Given the cleaner combustion in newer engines, and tighter tolerances, the old adage of 3000 mile oil changes are a thing of the past. With the use of high quality synthetic oil, you could feasibly run 15000 like the oil minder in the Mini says. I run full synthetic in my car when I change the oil, and a good quality oil filter. I trust the oil to continue to properly lubricate the engine up to 15000 miles, but I don't know how efficient the filter will be. Since I get the oil at wholesale price, I change both at 7500, but if I didn't, I would change just the filter at 7500, top the oil, and change both at 15000.

 

Mobil 1 0w-40 European Blend and a new filter every 5,000 miles or 3 months whatever first occurs for me. It may be overkill but I see it as good insurance.

 

I agree, mine is my dd so overkill gives me more comfort haha. Specially at 127k miles!

 

I just switched from Mobil 1 to Castrol synthetic 0W40 "european" very pleased so far. No particular reason for change - I think Castrol was on sale and I've always been a fan. I probably go between 4-7500 between changes with new good quality filter in my 04 R50. 132K miles and hes very happy. This is VERY cheap insurance.


Al

 

I use the most affordable fully synthetic to the highest grade I can find. Which is usually napa. 5w30 but have been thinking about changing weight in the summer