Since taking ownership of my 2009 JCW Clubman R55 last May, I've had several occurrences of about a half second of lost power while accelerating followed by the appearance of two codes on full scans of the whole system with my Schwaben (Foxwell NT510) scanner. These are the alphanumeric codes in the DME engine management section of a full auto-scan (not an OBDII Pxxxx code) and are for superknock on cylinder 4 (or 1 or 3, etc. different cylinders each time) and a fuel cutoffcode for the same cylinder. No CEL and no stored or pending codes on an OBDII scan. I take note of the DME code and erase it, and it happens again only once every month or so. I scan it about once a week and the code doesn't recur until the same brief hesitation on acceleration occurs again. I've read that many if not most N14 R56 models tend to have these particular codes stored on them, so I'm not too freaked out, but wondering if there is a real problem that needs to be addressed (intake valve crud, Vanos issues, timing chain guide issues, etc.). I have less than 33,000 miles on the car (about 4,000 by me), and don't hear any suspicious noises on startup to suggest chain tensioner problems (just the sewing machine tap of the DFI), have new OEM plugs, and no other associated codes or issues.
You are in Southeast PA right? Give the guys at Helix a call. They can carbon blast the car and review all your issues for you. Ask for Tim or Eric. 4648 Umbria Street Philadelphia, PA 19127 267 335 4337 http://store.helix13.com/headquarters/
Helix is just a little far to go since Swedish Motors is just across the Susquehanna from me in Marietta and they have extensive MINI experience and training. If I were closer I’d go to Helix.
Not to disparage Swedish Motors, but IMO Helix is worth the drive. I hope you can find out the cause & cure it.
After having DTCs (but no CELs) for superknock about once every 2-4 weeks for most of a year, I have had not had any in the last 3 months shortly after changing to SN+ rated oil this spring.
Used about half Amsoil 5W30 XL (almost A3/B3 with HTHS of 3.3) and half Mobil 1 10W30 High Mileage (slightly more viscous than I want but it's the only A3/B3 rated SN+ oil I know of). (Of course now that I've said posted this, I'll probably start getting DTCs again - I scan once or twice a week to check for this).
I'm glad you're not getting knock codes now. Can you help me understand how an oil type can cause or prevent those codes?
SN+ oils are made with more magnesium and less calcium and other factors(reducing deposits) that lessen the formation of small oil/fuel droplets that make their way into the combustion chamber and promote LSPI (low speed pre-ignition) in TGDI engines.
I run Motul (below) and have had no issues with knock or anything. Remember I run my car hard and spray 100% Meth so my oil gets contaminated faster then regular stock R53’s and that’s why I change it every 3,000 miles or less. Oil, even at the price I pay is cheap insurance for built motors. Oil specs here: https://www.motul.com/us/en-US/products/8100-x-clean-5w30--2 I buy my oil from Amazon, 5L for $42.99, free 1 day shipping since I am a Prime member. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G062AD2/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I only use OEM filters and currently at 110,000 miles. Issue free.
Interesting - I've never "mixed" oils. I'll have to look into that more. I also didn't know this. That said, I'm old school and always change the oil every 3K anyway. But I didn't realize meth would contaminate the oil differently than gas. Good to know.
One was thinner than I wanted per hths and the other is a bit thicker at 40C than I wanted,so I mixed them instead of choosing one or the other. Couldn’t find a single SN+ oil that checked all my boxes. I’m not inclined to believe that some horrible interaction or reaction will result from combining them together In the same oil pan and engine.
Your oils will play well together I'm sure. I've been using Mobil 1 for many years 30 or so with good results. Plus I can catch it on sale at Wallyworld & with the current Mobil rebate it's $13 for 5 quarts.