High Oil Use not Limited to MINI

Discussion in 'Other Vehicles' started by Nathan, Jul 1, 2013.

  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    Found this article by the editors of Consumer Reports stating that high oil use in new cars is the new norm.

    Full article - Consumer Reports sees oil vanish from some test cars
     
  2. quikmni

    quikmni Moderator

    Jun 6, 2009
    774
    174
    43
    Aerospace Engineer
    Orcutt, CA
    Ratings:
    +174 / 0 / -0
    I wonder if manufactures are designing engines a little looser, especially in the piston/cylinder contact area to reduce friction and improve gas mileage figures. In general the manufacture does not care that the consumer has to add oil and the consumer only sees fuel mileage numbers, not oil consumption, when purchasing a new car.
     
  3. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    Maybe the oil God's are punishing those who drive Panameras? Could it be that direct injection plays a part? Maybe the manufacturer's have come up with cars that self oil change?

    Yes that is a high usage rate & that is troubling, but what is even more troubling is that very many owners never lift their hood & pull a dipstick. Not even the automotive experts at Consumer Reports.
     
  4. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,713
    7,659
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,913 / 1 / -0
    Nope...
    It's because they consolidated their engine ears....
    Bunch of 2 cycle engine ears are running the show now....:D
     
  5. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,164
    6,170
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +7,876 / 10 / -3
    Maybe it's the thin oils they use. 0w-20? Man is H2O next?
     
  6. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

    Jason
     
  7. Apok

    Apok New Member

    Jun 15, 2013
    776
    357
    0
    Sadly, finance. The most boring job in the world.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +357 / 0 / -0
    #7 Apok, Jul 1, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2013
    It was explained to me with the VW 1.8T that I had in my Audi TT Quattro that the cylinder walls were designed to be microscopically porous in order to make the oil sick and be consumed and burn off some of the oil for some purpose that that I have suddenly forgotten while typing this out. So carry on. :postcount
     
  8. RussWK

    RussWK Active Member

    Apr 1, 2011
    106
    61
    28
    Ratings:
    +61 / 0 / -0
    Oil Usage

    Interesting. In the old days cars used a quart every couple thousand miles. Now my 2006 MCS stays at the same oil level until changed - 9,000 miles or so, with 0-W30. Any oil usage is imperceptible. Are we going back to the old days? Maybe the first Gen is still the best bullet-proof engine ever used in a Mini. I understand it is a Neon motor made for European market.

    --Russ
     
  9. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

    Mar 28, 2013
    311
    67
    0
    Ratings:
    +67 / 0 / -0
    I just installed my AEM intake system on my 2007 MCS, when I unclipped the PCV hose from the turbos inlet there was plenty of oil leaking out. Why on earth would manufactures design a PCV system that burns large amounts of oil? What's in it for them, money from oil companies in these bad economic times?
     
  10. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    :cornut: An OCC would keep that out of your intake and used in conjunction with a BSH dual tap, all of the crank case blow by would be kept out of you intake system.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  11. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
    1,178
    431
    83
    Male
    Decorah, IA
    Ratings:
    +435 / 0 / -0
    This is a common trait in pre-LCI Prince engines, and was onerous enough to warrant the design change that occurred with the 2011 model year.

    I've owned three MINIs ('05 N12, '11 N18, and '13 N16) and have never had to add a drop of oil between ~5K mile oil changes in any of them. No perceptible oil consumption. Just lucky I guess.
     
  12. Systemlord

    Systemlord New Member

    Mar 28, 2013
    311
    67
    0
    Ratings:
    +67 / 0 / -0
    Will the BSH dual tap and BSH Mini Cooper R56 Competition Catch Can effect my 6-year/120,000 mile warranty? Also will my local Irvine CA Mini/BMW dealer have a problem with these components?

    Appreciate it!
     
  13. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    I use a lot of oil because I change it every 3k because I also run Meth.
     
  14. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    #14 Jason Montague, Jul 6, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 6, 2013
    :cornut: MINI of Dallas thought that my OCC and Dual Boost Tap were a good solution to the carbon problem and never had any problems with this mod warranty wise.:Thumbsup:

    Jason

    I just realized that you're in California. So with that in mind, I don't know what the CA Air Gestapo would think about this. Before you buy, ask the OCC dealer whether it's CA approved.
     
  15. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    I would ask the folks at the dealer that services your MINI. Most would not have an issue with those mods. They are not for power, but for longevity of your engine.
     
  16. CamtheWookie

    CamtheWookie New Member

    May 17, 2009
    131
    32
    0
    Huntersville, NC
    Ratings:
    +32 / 0 / -0
    My '05 MCS never really burned a measurable amount of oil, and I was on a 4-5k interval for changes as well. :confused5: I suppose I must have been lucky as well. Curious to see how my CM JCW does when it gets here.
     
  17. fngolfer

    fngolfer Active Member

    Apr 1, 2012
    100
    46
    28
    Los Angeles
    Ratings:
    +47 / 0 / -0
    Oil usage

    2009 R56 manual with 44,000 miles. BSH oil catch can driven 50 miles daily and vitually no oil usage. When I drain the can, it's 95 percent condensation. A bit more oil in winter months. I change my oil every 5000 miles.
     
  18. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Jan 5, 2010
    6,134
    1,588
    0
    Physician Assitant (retired)
    Sherman,Tx
    Ratings:
    +1,588 / 0 / -0
    :cornut: Me Too! 08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm :Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  19. BRG_Paul

    BRG_Paul Active Member

    Nov 20, 2011
    758
    184
    43
    Turbomachinery Engineer
    York, PA
    Ratings:
    +184 / 0 / -0
    My 08 MCS burns virtually no oil between changes.... But I only have 33K miles on the clock.
     
  20. minirab

    minirab Well-Known Member

    May 6, 2009
    3,243
    777
    113
    Hagerstown, Md.
    Ratings:
    +851 / 0 / -0
    My 06 R53 used no oil at all between changes, sold it with 75k on the

    clock. So far my 2012 R58 JCW with 14k has not used a drop either.
     

Share This Page