So when do you change your oil in the MINI

Discussion in 'Garage Talk :: Tool, Tips and Maintenance' started by Metalman, Mar 3, 2016.

  1. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
    2,433
    879
    113
    Automotive Photographer
    Dallas
    Ratings:
    +1,059 / 1 / -0
    I go every 10K with full synthetic, too. When I had my Audi twin-turbo V6, I actually had my used oil tested after 10K, and the results were amazing. I could have easily gone another 5K, with two turbos in Texas heat. I get my oil changes at my MINI dealer, and they will check and top off all of my fluids for free between changes. Their price is a little higher, but not much, and I know the work won't be done by a minimum wage kid who wants to someday be a mechanic.

    CD
     
  2. 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
  3. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    For those of you running Mobil 1 euro 0-w40, just a bit of information if you have not heard....
    It is NO LONGER A BMW LL-01 OIL....the specs of the oil was changed, AND BMW is apparently changing the requirements....
    Most cars are out of warrenty....but most admit that LL-01 OILS are among the best around.
    Folks on the oil forums are semi split if the changes in Mobil 1 euro is for the better, but generally like the changes in the specs.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    I'm sure it's still good enough for my use, especially with a 5K change.

    1090406-1188443994-1042357omgonoz.gif
     
  5. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
    Supporting Member

    Oct 23, 2010
    2,952
    1,500
    113
    Engineer
    Pacific NW
    Ratings:
    +1,721 / 0 / -0
    There is a discussion of this at NAM,

    http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/r56-hatch-talk-2007/303589-mobil-1-european-formula-no-longer-bmw-approved.html

    in the NAM discussion there is a link to a discussion of the same thing at Bob's The Oil Guy forums.
     
  6. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
    20,848
    2,023
    113
    Retired
    Ratings:
    +2,977 / 6 / -5
    Bob the Oil Guy is always an interesting read.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
  8. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
    2,181
    1,782
    113
    South Central Virginia
    Ratings:
    +1,937 / 0 / -0
    I have 3 five quart jugs of Mobil 1 0W-40 on the shelf in my storage building. I'm still gonna use it until I run out. Then I may rethink my choices. That's all I used in my R56 and I've used it for one change in the F car.
     
  9. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

    Feb 24, 2013
    20,848
    2,023
    113
    Retired
    Ratings:
    +2,977 / 6 / -5
    3-5 thousand miles and had been Mobil 1.
     
  10. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,164
    6,170
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +7,876 / 10 / -3
    Crashton!! You !!!!! you started all this 0-W crap you should be ashamed!:p:lol:
     
  11. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
    2,433
    879
    113
    Automotive Photographer
    Dallas
    Ratings:
    +1,059 / 1 / -0
  12. 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
    On those same hot days you should run a Meth Kit.
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,164
    6,170
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +7,876 / 10 / -3
    5W-30 every 3000 miles. I know that is to often but I do it anyway.
     
  14. 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
    It's really does not matter what oil a person chooses it all comes down to changing it often. 3k-5k for a MINI because well, MIN's like clean oil and why risk it.

    In the end it is your car you are protecting.
     
  15. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
    2,181
    1,782
    113
    South Central Virginia
    Ratings:
    +1,937 / 0 / -0
    This is what the Mobil 1 website is saying now...

    "Based on what you've told us, your vehicle manufacturer recommends a 5W-30 viscosity and oil that meets BMW Longlife LL-01 or BMW Longlife-01FE. We currently do not offer any motor oils in the United States that meet these specifications."
     
  16. Sig

    Sig Member

    Jun 5, 2016
    136
    4
    18
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    What's this Meth kit you use, Heisenberg?
     
  17. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
    Staff Member Articles Moderator Supporting Member

    Jul 31, 2009
    11,164
    6,170
    113
    Male
    Ratings:
    +7,876 / 10 / -3
    What my Mobil1 is not good enough?!
     
  18. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    Not anymore....it was changed...the oil AND the spec.
    In other news, mini oil is changing to a 0w-30 and getting a new maker....might take a few months for the old stock to clear out....
     
  19. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

    Jan 5, 2014
    726
    329
    63
    Tool and Die Maker
    NW Ohio
    Ratings:
    +330 / 0 / -0

    So what oil would people recommend, that is easily available. I've usually used the readily available 5W-30 Mobil 1. The nearest stockist of Amsoil, for example, is 56 miles from me.
     
  20. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    1,404
    688
    113
    Pilot
    Southern NH
    Ratings:
    +688 / 0 / -0
    Mobil1 5w-30 WAS NEVER a BMW/MINI LL-01 OIL....I used it sometimes on my gen1....no worries...
    NEITHER is Amsoil...it is "formulated" to meet the specs ...but not actually tested....guess they are too small too spend the $$$ on testing.
    My take...if you are doing pretty fast oilchanges , aka, 2x often as requested by MINI , most modern 100% premium syrnthic oils are fine...
    If you want extended oil drains.......finf a LL-01 oil...
    Think the Castrol line still makes one.....
    Think I remember reading the parent company of Pennzoil is making the new MINI oils.
     

Share This Page