1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Does anybody run 5W-40 engine oil

Not a good idea to use "Racing" oils as they WILL not have a long service life compared to the standard oils.

 

Oil is a slippery subject. Glad the messages didn't get lost in transmission. :smilewinkgrin:

 

I know it doesn't get cold there but IMO a 20w will not give you proper lubrication @ startup, I wouldn't go any heavier than a 10w, maybe you can find a specialty 5w or 0w-50, it may cost you a little more, but it's racing, "it's gonna cost you".

Besides failures & such, one of the biggest factors concerning "normal" oil related wear is startup.

Because of the miles I drive, I avg. 4-5 oil changes a year, for me it's 0w-40 in the winter & 5w-40 in the summer. (when I can find it)

 

:cornut: I remember back in '69-'72 when I worked in the auto parts business; I was told that racing oil was only for racing and only for 1 race at a time. It was made specifically to be run at high temp and high RPMs for 1-4hrs and then changed. That it was not designed for start and stop driving over months and thousands of miles. Have times changed and this is not true any more? 'Splain on me, what's current thought on this?:cornut:

Jason

 

Guess I talked to the same guy Jason. Always ran Valvoline racing oil & changed oil before every race weekend. Figured an oil change was a lot cheaper that an engine rebuild.

When we rallied we also started each even with new Valvoline racing oil in the sump. We didn't change after 4 hours though. That would have required 5 oil changes. :smile5:

 

I thought it was 0W-30.... Did they change it and I'm just finding out about it now???

 

5w-40.

I have always used Amsoil 5w-30, until today. Tried Amsoil 5w-40 http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/gasoline/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil-efm/?code=EFMQT-EA?zo=2056145 and what a difference. Won't go back anytime soon!

 

So there are kind of two camps here in the oil world as pertaining to BMW vehicle oil requirements.....

Those that say they meet BMW oil specifications..... and those that are approved by BMW....

Here is the current list as published by BMW....

Synthetic Engine Oils - BMW North America

 

.............:lol:

 

Oil, I run 5W-40 Full Synthetic

I switched to Shell Rotella T6 Full Synthetic 5W-40 Motor Oil at about 15,000 miles,
I have my reasons, not arguing with anyone but I run it in everything I own.

 

Not to argue, but I have read nothing but good things about that oil. Bet you weren't expecting that. :smilewinkgrin:

 

......and they don't do any tests to verify they meet any spec's at all. They do say that they can be used where certain oil spec's are recommended, but no where do they say that their oils have been tested or meet any spec's.

 

The Pennzoil specified for MINI is 5W40. I'll switch back to that as soon as I can fix my oil leak and dump the Mobil1 I currently have in my MINI.

 

I swap between 5W-40 and 5W-30. I like 5W-40 but is harder to find. If I order oil I get 5W-40. I have had no issues with 5W-40. Seems like 5W-40 would be the better choice for warmer months. I usually use Redline oil.

 

mobil1 "european blend" 0W40 is a mini approved oil and it is readily available

i use it in my cms all4 when i change the oil and have been using it for years in my 1997 gmc sonoma v6 that currently has 289,000+ miles

scott

 

I run 0W40 in our MINI's. Mobile 1 flavored.....

 

:cornut: I've always used Castrol or Mobile1 5W30 (extreme wear 100% synthetic) and MINI of DALLAS put their brand(Castrol I think) of 5W30 in Margi(08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm) today during service warranty tune up. MM I'll trust your judgement. Research and let us know please.

Jason

 

The 5W-30 MINI oil is a thick 30 weight, which is why Mobil1 0W-40 meets the spec. So 5W-40 is probably perfect.

I ran 15W-50 over the summer for a few hot track days, but I wouldn't recommend that, the car didn't like it at all on the street.

 

I only use Amsoil and if you are looking for Euro spec 5w - 40w this is it.

http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil/