With this MINI, I got the break-in oil out at 500 miles today. I followed generally the motoman break-in tips here, http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm, except I didn't go to petro oil for break-in and waited until 500 miles instead of changing at 25 miles. I don't subcribe to the proposition that synthetic oils are "too slick", it harkens back to the Slick 50 scam days that my father got sold on, and I believe you can break-in a engine with the synthetic stuff.

I swear the motor is running just a tad cooler on the water coolant gauge, but maybe it just hasn't been that hot this afternoon. I am getting this down to about 30 minutes or just a little more after I put all the tools away, (that would be about FOUR, I think, including the funnel) and stow the old oil into oil jugs until I can drop it off to recycle for someones fuel oil heater.

I really like MOBIL 1 and went with the extended performance because that is the only one that is 100% synthetic, it's good for 15K but I'll probably change again in 4.5K or so, if I can wait that long. I usually like to do oil every 3 to 6 months or so, no matter what the mileage is. I just love seeing that clear new oil on the dipstick...

YIPPEE.

 

cool. im doing mine next spring. i only do it once a year (about 7500/yr).

 

The standard Mobil 1 is also 100% synthetic. The extended use one just has more of the "superSyn" stuff in it.

I had a weird thing happen to me the last time my dealer changed my oil. I got the car back and my oil temp gauge was showing over 120 C (250 F) after getting warmed up. Drove it home (180 miles) and it was still running hot. I decided to change out the Castol and put in my Mobil 1 and the temps went immediatly to a regular 100 C. So now I will not let the dealer put in anything but Mobil 1.

 

^^ yep. i wonder how well the factory filter holds up if one was to
really drive 15k miles with the gold cap Mobil1.

 

I too noticed a drop in oil temp after switching out the BMW Synthetic to Mobil 1 5w-30.
The BMW Synthetic is a fine oil in it's own right. My last used oil analysis of that oil was very very good.
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/...c;f=3;t=003709

 

I've used mobil 1 without any problems at 15k intervals.

 

^^ cool.

 

I've been following the manual for oil changes for almost 2 years now. No problems at all. If you like to spend money then change that oil all you like. I think you trust the reliability of the computer you post on, but not the quality of the instructions you get in the manual from the BMW engineers. Kind of strange. Of course if you drive your car harder than normal or do any of the other things that might require more frequent oil changes then it's the thing to do, but to change it @ 500 miles into the breakin period...that's just silly.

 

And your engineering/mechanical/racing/engine rebuilder experience is what? You ever think that 10K oil service is just so they are obligated to do only 3 oil changes during your "free maintenance" period? I'll stick with the racers and engine rebuilders who say get the break-in oil out early rather than let all that metal embed itself in all your parts for 10K miles. More marketing and sales is going on in the owners manual than good maintenance, I doubt if clean, new oil ever hurt a motor any!

BUT maybe YOU are the SILLY one, stuck with a dealer to change your oil because you are afraid to touch a wrench, heh?

 

That is some thing I've regretted for some time now.... not changing out the original oil sooner. My next MINI will have it's oil changed in the first 500-1K.

 

Check out the link I provided in my original post, he says change the oil at 20 MILES!!!, as most of your break-in is already done at that point. His pictures of pistons from the motors following his recomendations are pretty convincing, and as I said what's wrong with clean, new oil in a motor, it's pretty cheap insurance even using all-synthetic oils.

My friend had a plumbing service van with over 200K miles, the body was so bad he painted it with a roller and brush, the ONE thing he always did was change the oil every 2.5K, 350 Chevy V-8, but no motor problems and over 200K on the motor, anecdotal evidence for sure, but I'll stick with it.

 

I'm going to coin a new phrase for this type thread called the "oil change phenomenon," or "OCP."

The owners manual recomends 10k first, 15k intervals there after.

Die hards recomend <500 1st, 3k there after.

Still others say every three months regardless of mileage.

It always ends in a flame war. To each their own

Give it a month, we'll see another "OCP" grace the pages of NAM.

 

There is a huge difference in the demands placed on motor oil used in a street driven car vs a race car. Apples and oranges.

 

or once a year.

i go by once a year.

 

I average 33k/year.

So I go by twice a year.

 

I don't own a Mini but i go every 3k with regular oil(5W-30). i don't see how fresh oil can damage an engine.

would I go 15k or once a year if i used synthetic? No.
If I used synthetic I would change it every 5k.
just my way of doing things!

 

...or every few months as I get bored and just want to "get my hands" into the motor. It really is a very simple procedure, and for once the oil filter is easy to reach.

 

^ i don't think the MCS's filter location is that great.
they should've put it where it can be easily accessed
from the bottom.

you should see where they put the filter on my 06civic.
it's right next to the drain plug (and no covers to
remove like on other cars). that's wat you call an easy
removal.

 

Maybe not the best, but a far sight better than many I've had to wrestle with. Best was my 79 Fire Arrow. You could do the complete change from the top, including the drain plug. Worst was my 97 4Runner. What a !@##%**!!!! job.

 

did Target always carry Mobil1 5W30 silver cap 1Qt bottles for
$4.09 each?

was over there today to run some errands and could not pass up
the price. i remember paying close to $6 each over at Autozone
last time. that's a $10 difference... feels like i get the oil filter for
free.