Engine Drivetrain 2nd Gen S Amsoil

Discussion in 'Tuning and Performance' started by COOP310, May 23, 2011.

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  1. COOP310

    COOP310 New Member

    May 12, 2009
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    I have 5 quarts of Amsoil European Car Formula 5W40 laying around the house and the car is due for an oil change. It says it meets ACEA A3/B3-04, ACEA a3/B4-04 as well as BMW LL-04. Is this ok to use on an R56 S, or do i need to use the 5W30?
     
  2. jcauseyfd

    jcauseyfd New Member

    May 25, 2009
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    I would contact Amsoil directly to see if they can advise as to the proper oil for your application.
     
  3. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    May 4, 2009
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    Yes you can use it, if you want to save a bit of money. But I myself would never buy Amsoil again, especially for the price.
     
  4. COOP310

    COOP310 New Member

    May 12, 2009
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    Im curious as to why, and what you do use.
     
  5. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    I would never suggest to anyone that they use these "boutique" oils (Amsoil, Redline, Royal Purple). I have been using Mobil 1 and Castrol synthetics for over 35 yrs in all of my cars. I usually send a sample of my oil from each of my cars to Blackstone for testing every year or so. So far with the oil change intervals I use, once a year regardless of mileage (our cars are only driven between 7-10K miles per year) there have been no issues. I don't do any track days in the MINI right now, but I never saw any problems with the oil when I was doing a couple of them a year before.

    My previous car was a '78 VW Scirocco with 165K miles and it was driven hard for most of it's life. Lots of AutoX and a few hillclimbs. It was on Mobil1 for most of it's life and was still running strong when I got my MINI 25 yr's later.

    That's proof enough for me.

    I can't see spending twice the money on oil for arguably no benefit.
     
  6. COOP310

    COOP310 New Member

    May 12, 2009
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    I really wouldn't even have this oil if it weren't free. (door prize) just trying to figure out if it's ok, or if I should go for the factory oil.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
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    Is the MINI still under the factory warranty?
     
  8. COOP310

    COOP310 New Member

    May 12, 2009
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    No. 57,000 miles
     
  9. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Given that you are beyond the warranty period and it does meet BMW/MINI specs I'd go ahead and use with some caveats. Since it is a 5W40 as opposed to a 5W30 I would plan for another change before the cold weather sets in. But being you are in Florida I would think that unless the winter is unseasonably colder than usual you should be OK.

    Please keep in mind these are my own thoughts on the matter.
     
  10. rckrzy1

    rckrzy1 Member

    Jul 14, 2015
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    AMsoil practically INVENTED the Synth oil and in no way should be classed with the other mentioned. I have tested it for wear over the years and blackstone labs find it is superior for wear than any other oil tested.
    I run it in my motorcycles and would use in my car if the cost was not so high.

    Mobil1 change their formula a while back and I saw engine wear creep up on a V8 I owned, switch oil and wear decreased and just to prove it, ran mobil 1 for a short run of 3K and damn if wear was not back to higher. Never again for me, the newer European blend might be better but I'm not beta testing my MINI.
     
  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    May 4, 2009
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    I run Amsoil and nothing else. Quality oil is cheap insurance for expensive motor mods.
    (Big Valve Head and Cam)

    Also yes that oil is fine for your MINI. I will never run Royal Pimple crap or Redline.

    Castrol Euro is ok and I just don't like Mobile 1 since they changed it.
     
  12. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    Oct 23, 2010
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    How can you test if your engine has more wear If you don't take it apart and measure it?
     
  13. Stinch

    Stinch New Member

    Jun 24, 2015
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    I've got a case of Amsoil European 5W-40 Full-SAPS Synthetic coming that I'll put towards my next oil change.
     
  14. rckrzy1

    rckrzy1 Member

    Jul 14, 2015
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    Blackstone labs, a professional Oil analysis , it measures metal and other contaminants in your oil, and by knowing what cams, bearings, pistons etc are made of they can tell you what is wearing.

    Cost about $25 a test , $10 more if you want them to tell you how many more miles you can run or not, as in I sent oil in from my 2013 at 7K miles on the oil, their testing showed the additives, cleaners etc would be ok for another 1K miles, so 8K is a good mileage to change and proves MINI's service intervals of 15-16K is going to hurt your motor.

    I have an oil extractor which makes it very easy to pull the few ounces needed for testing, or you can just test at your oil change. They will mail you a free test kit for collecting sample and for mailing.

    For years I have not GUESSED at oil , and in over 40 yrs of owning cars never suffered an internal failure or burning oil. My 2013 which I bought new uses maybe 1/8 qt in 8K miles.

    They also look for other contaminants like coolant/water and gasoline. You can really get a good look at the status of your motor by testing oil, kinda like having a full work up on your blood.
     
  15. Ryephile

    Ryephile New Member

    Apr 9, 2009
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    ^^Good post rckrzy1. Most people that whine about oil brands have never done any UOA and are really just playing emotional brand favoritism. The only way to make an informed comment is to do a variety of VOAs and UOAs over a long period of time.
     
  16. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Exactly what I do with my 2 cars.
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Perhaps I will try them.
     

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