>>(after all, I'm keeping this thing for life!),

Yeah, right!! That's what my last wife said.

 

>>>>(after all, I'm keeping this thing for life!),
>>
>>Yeah, right!! That's what my last wife said.

 

First changing your oil certainly won't hurt your engine, it can only help however.....

Sometimes a car initially has a "break-in" oil which isn't synthetic. MINI may decide that this breaking oil needs to be in for 10000 miles before the synthetic can go in. I'm kindof mixed on this issue because of this fact. If I knew that was the case I would change it with the non-synthetic oil (and new filter) after the break in to get rid of the metal filings.

I agree however that with the greater machining and slippery synthetics that you probably don't need to do it every 3000 miles. I think after the break in I may change the oil every 5000 miles or so (this under extreme driving conditions as I frequently tend to push the engine otherwise I'd probably just stick with the 10000 miles)

I'm aproaching the end of the break in (only about 50 miles or so) and I may wait until about 3/5000 miles. Anyone test the oil that comes in the MINI? If it ships with a sythetic I would definately change it now.
-Chris

 

Anyone test the oil that comes in the MINI? If it ships with a sythetic I would definately change it now.
>>-Chris

Factory oil was changed at 1,254 miles; it had been run in on one tank of "dealer fuel" (?) and 2 tanks of 91 octane.

The analysis was done by Analysts, Inc

PHYSICAL TEST RESULTS

Fuel Dilution, % Volumn 2.8
Oxidation 3
Nitration 4
Water Dilution, % Volumn <.1
Viscosity CS 100'C 8.8
SAE Grade 20
Glycol Test NEG

SPECTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS (In Parts per Million by Weight)

Iron 16
Chromium <1
Nickle <1
Aluminum 14
Lead <1
Copper 6
Tin 6
Silver <.1
Titanium <1
Silicon 26
Boron 8
Sodium 11
Potassium <10
Molybdenum 757
Phosphorus 1122
Zinc 1148
Calcium 2009
Barium 11
Magnesium 21
Antimony <30
Vanadium <1

The analysis Summary:
Analysis indicates conditions are acceptable for break-in.
Significant Values: Silicon attributed to assembly/break-in.

Changed with Mobil 1 and will go until Oil Indicator says to change, looks like it will be at 10,000+ the way I have been driving. Will do another analysis at that time.

 

>>Factory oil was changed at 1,254 miles; it had been run in on one tank of "dealer fuel" (?) and 2 tanks of 91 octane.
>>edlrey

Wow edlfrey you are getting alot better mileage in your Cooper than I am in my S. You must be doing over 31mpg not bad. I 'm closer to 23, yikes. I did just change my oil at 1000. Seems like cheap insurance to me.