Most liked posts in thread: Changed my oil for the first time and learned a lesson

Page 1 of 2
  1. Metalman

    Metalman Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Sep 29, 2009
    12,731
    7,688
    113
    Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
    Columbus, Ohio
    Ratings:
    +7,960 / 1 / -0
    #2 Metalman, Apr 5, 2014
    Only a few filter sources to consider....

    MINI OEM
    Mann
    I believe NAPA carries Mann rebranded....

    Others have proven inferior.... Problems with collapsing media... etc...
     
  2. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
    1,178
    431
    83
    Male
    Decorah, IA
    Ratings:
    +435 / 0 / -0
    #11 Gil-galad, Apr 8, 2014
    ...then we're the Oddfellows, as that is my recipe. :Thumbsup: Always insisting on the ACEA A3/B3 rated oils.

    Why do I love changing my own oil? I take my time to ensure no dings, scratches, or paint swirls. I use plenty of rags and will not spill a drop on the engine or garage floor. I drain the crankcase completely. I treat the O-ring with gentleness. I make sure the filter cap and drain plug are torqued to their exact specification. I don't under-fill or overfill.

    That sort of TLC isn't always guaranteed from a grease monkey who may just be going through the motions...
     
  3. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,305
    6,277
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +8,070 / 10 / -3
    #26 MCS02, Apr 8, 2014
    Well some times I walk around talking to this big white rabbit thats my friend.
     
  4. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,305
    6,277
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +8,070 / 10 / -3
    #24 MCS02, Apr 8, 2014
    Just use 5w30. I really don't want to start an oil debate. I believe when you use 0w40 you get into oil consumption problems. All the new manufactures that use it make allowances for consumption.
    The reason for 0W40 is fuel efficiency.

    This is the opinion of an old guy and worth what you are paying for it.
     
  5. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,639
    4,591
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,183 / 1 / -0
    #3 Minidave, Apr 5, 2014
    Yep, I wouldn't use anything but factory filters on my MINI, and it's probably a good idea to buy a spare drain plug, they get stuck and rounded easily - not by you necessarily, but the previous owner(s) and oil changers.

    Don't forget, synthetic oil only in your MINI.....
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #10 Crashton, Apr 7, 2014
    I'll be the odd ball here. OEM or Mann filter & Mobil 1 0w40 of course.... :D

    Welcome to M/A & good on ya for changing the oil. :Thumbsup:
     
  7. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
    2,181
    1,782
    113
    South Central Virginia
    Ratings:
    +1,937 / 0 / -0
    #12 vetsvette, Apr 8, 2014
    ^^^What he said^^^ Guess there are at least two oddballs here. :wink:
     
  8. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
    2,181
    1,782
    113
    South Central Virginia
    Ratings:
    +1,937 / 0 / -0
    #17 vetsvette, Apr 8, 2014
    0W40

    Your vehicle has a specific recommendation.

    The company that manufactures your vehicle recommends this Mobil 1 product, or has a special requirement.



    Current Vehicle:
    Year: 2007
    Make: Mini
    Model: Cooper
    Engine Type: 4cyl. 1.6Liter Turbocharged
     
  9. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
    Supporting Member

    May 4, 2009
    8,767
    2,547
    113
    Bend, OR USA
    Ratings:
    +2,678 / 1 / -0
    #19 ScottinBend, Apr 8, 2014
    5W30 for first gen, 0W40 for second.
     
  10. 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
    #23 Apok, Apr 8, 2014
    Good to know. And I learned something new today! And knowing is half the battle.
     
  11. 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
    #25 Apok, Apr 8, 2014
    Sometimes the old guys have the good info. Its normally wise to listen to them. Unless they go off tangent and start telling a story about how they walked up hill both ways to school in 10 feet of snow with no shoes on and they liked it.
     
  12. 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
    #27 Apok, Apr 8, 2014
    Well, that doesn't help your cause. However it is interesting.
     
  13. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
    1,178
    431
    83
    Male
    Decorah, IA
    Ratings:
    +435 / 0 / -0
    #28 Gil-galad, Apr 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 8, 2014
    As long as his name isn't Frank and he's not telling you the world will end in 28 days...

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Blasbo

    Blasbo Member

    Jan 8, 2014
    30
    8
    8
    Ratings:
    +10 / 0 / -0
    #5 Blasbo, Apr 5, 2014
    Yep, Castrol full synthetic 5-30 and I did order a spare plug.
     
  15. 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
    #9 Dave.0, Apr 7, 2014
    Only use OEM filters and use whatever oil you choose in the correct weight as other have said. 5w30

    Welcome to M/A. :Thumbsup:
     
  16. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,305
    6,277
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +8,070 / 10 / -3
    #18 MCS02, Apr 8, 2014
    5w30 for me.
     
  17. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,445
    10,057
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,698 / 2 / -0
    #21 Crashton, Apr 8, 2014
    My 1st gen has been using 0w40 Mobil 1 for over 100,000 miles. Seems to like it just fine. :p :D

    Forgot to mention at each oil change a bottle of Chevron Techron goes in the tank.
     
  18. Blasbo

    Blasbo Member

    Jan 8, 2014
    30
    8
    8
    Ratings:
    +10 / 0 / -0
    #4 Blasbo, Apr 5, 2014
    Thanks for that info. I had to get an STP filter locally, but I ordered an OEM.
     
  19. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    #6 ZippyNH, Apr 5, 2014
    Some vendors offer filter change "kits".... Usually 5 or 6 filters....saves on shipping...and can drop the price per filter down to $6-8 each for OEM/Mann filters if I recall right...
    Some big box stores can charge CRAZY prices for crap filters four our cars....
    They are just filter media...no back drain plugs, etc...and are pretty inexpensive.
     
  20. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
    Lifetime Supporter

    Dec 22, 2009
    5,639
    4,591
    113
    Male
    Overland Park, Ks
    Ratings:
    +5,183 / 1 / -0
    #7 Minidave, Apr 5, 2014
    My dealer charges $8 bux and change for an OEM filter, right over the parts counter....

    I get 5 quarts of MINI oil and a filter for about $35 including tax.

    Now that I'm out of warranty I still use factory filters but I've switched to Mobil 1, it's 5 qts for $21 at Wally World on sale. 5W30 of course....
     
Page 1 of 2