I go every 10K with full synthetic, too. When I had my Audi twin-turbo V6, I actually had my used oil tested after 10K, and the results were amazing. I could have easily gone another 5K, with two turbos in Texas heat. I get my oil changes at my MINI dealer, and they will check and top off all of my fluids for free between changes. Their price is a little higher, but not much, and I know the work won't be done by a minimum wage kid who wants to someday be a mechanic. CD
I change mine every 3K because I run Meth all the time. It sprays and cleans the motor, valves and all the crap ends up in my oil. Oil is cheap insurance for expensive performance parts. My RMW BVH, CAM, and the rests of the motor is a fresh as new. I use only Amsoil Signature Series 0W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil with OEM filters. https://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/gasoline/sae-0w-30-signature-series-100-percent-synthetic-motor-oil/?code=AZOQT-EA
For those of you running Mobil 1 euro 0-w40, just a bit of information if you have not heard.... It is NO LONGER A BMW LL-01 OIL....the specs of the oil was changed, AND BMW is apparently changing the requirements.... Most cars are out of warrenty....but most admit that LL-01 OILS are among the best around. Folks on the oil forums are semi split if the changes in Mobil 1 euro is for the better, but generally like the changes in the specs.
There is a discussion of this at NAM, http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r56-hatch-talk-2007/303589-mobil-1-european-formula-no-longer-bmw-approved.html in the NAM discussion there is a link to a discussion of the same thing at Bob's The Oil Guy forums.
I have 3 five quart jugs of Mobil 1 0W-40 on the shelf in my storage building. I'm still gonna use it until I run out. Then I may rethink my choices. That's all I used in my R56 and I've used it for one change in the F car.
Down here, 5W-50 synthetic is pretty common for performance cars. We don't get the kind of cold weather you get up there, but we do get 20 to 50 days a year of 100-plus degree weather. CD
It's really does not matter what oil a person chooses it all comes down to changing it often. 3k-5k for a MINI because well, MIN's like clean oil and why risk it. In the end it is your car you are protecting.
This is what the Mobil 1 website is saying now... "Based on what you've told us, your vehicle manufacturer recommends a 5W-30 viscosity and oil that meets BMW Longlife LL-01 or BMW Longlife-01FE. We currently do not offer any motor oils in the United States that meet these specifications."
Not anymore....it was changed...the oil AND the spec. In other news, mini oil is changing to a 0w-30 and getting a new maker....might take a few months for the old stock to clear out....
So what oil would people recommend, that is easily available. I've usually used the readily available 5W-30 Mobil 1. The nearest stockist of Amsoil, for example, is 56 miles from me.
Mobil1 5w-30 WAS NEVER a BMW/MINI LL-01 OIL....I used it sometimes on my gen1....no worries... NEITHER is Amsoil...it is "formulated" to meet the specs ...but not actually tested....guess they are too small too spend the $$$ on testing. My take...if you are doing pretty fast oilchanges , aka, 2x often as requested by MINI , most modern 100% premium syrnthic oils are fine... If you want extended oil drains.......finf a LL-01 oil... Think the Castrol line still makes one..... Think I remember reading the parent company of Pennzoil is making the new MINI oils.