Most liked posts in thread: So when do you change your oil in the MINI

I have always used Mobil 1, but this is what the site says for 3rd Gen cars.

https://mobiloil.com/en/product-selector?Year=2015&Model=Q29vcGVy&Make=TWluaQ%3d%3d&Engine=UyA0LUN5bCAyLjAgKEI0NkEyME0wKSAoR0FTKQ%3d%3d

 

I'd hate to see my MINI get addicted to Meth. :biggrin5:

CD

 

Howerton Engineering - Aquamist Kit

http://howertonengineering.com/shop/

 

See below :ihih:

Amsoil BMW LL-01
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-40-synthetic-motor-oil-efm/?code=EFMQT-EA

Amsoil BMW LL-04
http://www.amsoil.com/shop/by-product/motor-oil/european/european-car-formula-5w-30-synthetic-motor-oil/?code=AELQT-EA

Hey guys, every now and then I see a thread crop up about the engine oils for our cars. People always seem to not know whether BMW LL-04 or LL-01 is the correct approval rating. Some believe that both are fine.

Found a document straight from BMW that puts this debate to rest once and for all:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/BMW-O...s-and-Recs.pdf

Notable quotes:

Quote:
Longlife-04 oils must not be used in BMW spark-ignition engines in
countries outside Europe (EU plus Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein).
and a numbered qualifier for the table that lists all the approved oils:

Quote:
5) Longlife-04 oils are only approved for spark-ignition engines in Europe (EU plus Switzerland, Norway
and Liechtenstein). They must not be used outside this area.
Therefore, for petrol engines, use only oils designated BMW Longlife-01 or BMW LL-01


LL-1 oils are for high sulfur content fuels - as in USA fuels.

LL-4 oil is for low sulfur content fuels - as in Germany/Europe fuels


Back in the early to mid nineties BMW had a huge problem with the high sulfur fuels in the USA with their V8 engines. The high sulfur caused many BMW V8 engines to loose compression and rough running. It had to do with teh special cylinder coatings - that the high sulur would damage the way the pistons rings would seal against the cylinder wall.

It became so bad that BMW increased the garranty to 10year/100K miles (only for these effected v8 engines) - and had an open "service campaign" (NOT a recall!) for any 530i, 540i, 730i or 740i owner to have their BMW dealer REPLACE their engine will a different engine block deisgn - as to not have future problems with high sulfur in the fuels.

This is what caused BMW to develop special oils for each market.

 

Remember the old, old days when you just dumped 30 weight in any car you had?

 

Actually, the Amsoil 5W40 is engineered to meet LL-01 specs, but has not actually been certified as such.
Not a big difference, except possibly for MINIs still under warranty.


Oops. I just see that this point was just made in the quote - nevermind.

Anyway, the Amsoil EFO 0W40 is on my short list for the next oil change.

 

And that beer! These kids now don't know what they missed!

 

Castrol Edge 5w-30 full synthetic... Once a year, or at the 5000 mile mark.

 

i change mine ever 5k myself