2nd Gen R56 Most liked posts in thread: Engine Oil Viscosity options

MCS02:

Thank you for the reply. To get specific:

1) Yes, a formal recall was made - took my Mini dealer to be addressed. Unfortunately, the orig recall notice & the invoice detailing the work are currently missing. Mini Of Portland is working to provide me with the documentation.
2) advice/recommendation about oils are all over the map. Variables include mileage & use of the Mini (street, racing, etc). Yes 5w-30 is the recommendation, but when it was, my car was engineered to operate at 185F. Now, it is 220F because of the new thermostat housing. I originally understood (without facts) there was a mechanical fault. IT WASN'T. The purpose was to increase gas mileage......... truth or facts are out now.
3) always change oil 3K - 3.5K.
4) Since my car runs hotter than engineered, and my fan comes on much more often after the housing recall, I am concerned that the original design at 5w-30 oil may not be adequate for the new 220F. That is the question on the table - upgrade to 40 a reasonable move?
5) I have had an extreme distrust about BMW engineering since 92 & has gotten worse each year. Should I be content with the 5w-30 recommendation ? - I do not put faith in BMW's ability to get it right. (I use the word "faith" because BMW has always been short if non-existent in communication - "what the auto buying public doesn't know can't hurt them....", until it explodes (like BMW series 7's at BMW German HDQTRS).

Again, thanks for the interest & response.

d baker

 

Synthetic oil comment: good news. Have not seen this fact before. It may very well since my Mini was engineered to operate 35 F's cooler, "perhaps" 5W-30 is sufficient. To the lay/occasional mechanic like me (plugs, coil, fuel filter, cabin blower replacement, oil catch can, upgraded air intake system, Marshall gauge kit install, etc), oil viscosity selection can be a bit of a jungle, especially when considerations have to be made concerning geography, climate, use, etc. And lots of folks read online have differing opinions. Thank you.

 

MCS302:
Again, thank. Each of our preferences would hopefully depend on engineering advice. That's my preference (ha). I am stuck between three camps, it appears: the 5W-30 team, 0W - 40 & 10W-40. Interestingly, no mention of the 5W-40 - closer to the 30 recommended (?). Believe (don't like that word) the question comes down to 2 points : 1) feeling "engineering safe" with a 40 viscosity, that either the 0W or 5W will easily get to cold cylinder walls; then b) same safety factor when operating @ 220 F (W/ new higher-temp thermostat housing & replacement Marshall water temp gauge firmly seats itself 217-220), that 40 viscosity will provide bit more "protection" (?) with both standard driving AND towing a landscape trailer (300 Lbs) with a BMW R1200 bike (450 Lbs) to dealership maint in the summer. Who knows ?? Appreciate it. But at least we are all within recommended ranges that I have read up on during this research project !!
d.baker

 

Dave: On your use of 10w - 40, is there any concern, notwithstanding your geographic location, that 10W exceeds the 5W recommended ??
d. baker