Do a quick check on realoem.... Put the last 7 digits of your VIN just to verify your engine... http://www.realoem.com/
Mine is a 2009 R56 JCW and it has a N14B16C..... I'm not sure what the difference with your N14B16A engine, perhaps something to do with the operating temperature for Australia....
You have the S with the turbo.... The most important part is to use 100% synthetic for the turbo bearings... Also it's very important to not let the oil level get low... Keep it towards the full mark....
I change mine every 5,000 miles.... Some go longer.... Oil is relatively cheap when looking at replacement costs for a new turbo...
Oh... And welcome to M/A...![]()
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Metalman Well-Known MemberLifetime Supporter
- Sep 29, 2009
- 7,688
- Ex-Owner (Retired) of a custom metal fab company.
- Ratings:
- +7,960 / 1 / -0
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Welcome to Motoring Alliance !! When asking about which oil is best you asked the mother of all hot topic questions on a automotive forum, but you received a great answer. Good luck with your new ride.
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DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
Welcome to the only MINI forum you'll ever need!
I started out with MINI oil, purchased at the dealer, it cost the same as other recommended synthetic oils.
When MINI changed oil suppliers from Castrol to Shell, I went with Mobil 1 synthetic 0W-40 because that was recommended by MINI and I didn't have to drive 30 miles to the dealer to get it.
MINI recommended Mobil 1 with BMW approved european formula ll-01. Last year Mobil 1 stopped having ll-01 on their label. After a little research, I found that Mobile didn't change their formula, MINI just decided not to pay Mobil for the advertising on the bottle. I still use Mobil 1 0W-40, just as I did before.
The N14 engine was used on all turbocharged MINIs from 2007 to 2010 and JCW MINIs for a couple of years after that. The important designation is N14, all the other numbers and letters just designate minor differences in the countries they were made for, the oil is the same for all those engines.
I could have gone with Castrol synthetic, but I can get Mobil 1 synthetic cheap at a big box store near me, so I went with that. -
Wow you guys are awesome!!! Thankyou so much, that has pretty much hit the nail right on the head for me. Certainly I read about the importance of true fully synthetic oil only, also changing the oil more frequently for the turbo version (thats been set in concrete at 8000kms (or 5000 miles) or every 2yrs for me. Ive heard about how great Mobil oil is and thats good to know about the removal of ll-01 off the label ill keep that in mind. The closest MINI dealer for me is 110kms (70 miles) but any excuse to go for a drive is a good thing
I did the VIN check and i got a whole page on the specs of my car, from its options all the way to where it was built (Oxford). Its an N14 for sure with 155kw, built 19/11/2011. Some good info there.
Another thing is the sump plugs. I heard theyre just normal, not magnetized. Certainly on the prowl for a magnetized replacement when I do the oil change next year and im pretty sure its an M16x1.5 thread. Shame thats the case especially with the turbo'd engines.
Anyways its been a long 7yr wait to be a part of the MINI family but its great to be herethanks again all
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Steve AdministratorStaff Member Articles Moderator
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Sweet thanks Steve, found the sump plug I needed and ordered the Dimple® M16X1.5X12 07'-Present, Mini Engine Drain Plug from them. Bit costly for us Aussies with the $15USD shipping but like Metalman said earlier "Oil (or in this case, a Magnetic plug) is relatively cheap when looking at replacement costs for a new turbo..."
Appreciate the help there. -
DneprDave Well-Known MemberSupporting Member
I mistakenly wrote 20W-40 Mobil 1, It should read 0W-40 Mobil 1 motor oil.
I've edited my post above.
I use the other weight oil in another vehicle.