Last weekend I changed the oil pan gasket & when we pulled it off there was easily 1/2 qt of oil in the bottom of the pan that never drains out. I'd think maybe the suckers would be better at getting the last little bit? I dunno.
To tell the truth. The MINI is an easy car to change the oil on. Even the old way removing a drain plug. Leaving a bit of oil in the bottom of the sump is not something I'd want to do. I figure if done enough the pan will accumulate sludge in the bottom.
This has the potential to be a MAJOR hijack! :biggrin5: Might want to start yet another thread on what oil to use......:wink:
I have an oil vac that I purchased from amazon. I have used it many times and love it. I like the clear chamber since you can see and measure the amount of fluid you are removing, also, it has a valve that turns it into a pump that comes in handy when filling transmissions, differentials, etc. it works great. Amazon.com: Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus: Automotive
Old Mobil 1 was good stuff back in the day and that's all I used for years but the syn blend has changed a few times over the years and it is not as good as it once was. Castro and Amsoil both make an excellent euro spec low, mid and high SAPS oil that meets BMW LL -01 and LL-04 specs. I switched to Motul syn 300v but it was getting hard ro find and expensive to have shipped to me so I switched to Amsoil a few years back and have been very happy customer. Amsoil 100 % synthetic signature series. 5w-30. AMSOIL SAE 5W-30 Signature Series 100% Synthetic Motor Oil Have have used the above for years and have switched to this when it came out for Euro spec cars. AMSOIL European Car Formula 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil European Car Formula 5W-40 Synthetic Motor Oil Full-SAPS European Oil for European Gasoline and Diesel Engines Formulated for the lubrication needs of European gasoline and diesel cars and light trucks. Its full sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur (SAPS) formulation provides excellent protection and performance for a wide range of vehicles. As just to stay on topic any of these oils can be used in a top side oil change program.
People are all worried about getting that Euro LL designated oil, then they change it every 3500 miles! If you're going to change your oil that often, you really don't need to worry about long life oil, do you? Any good synthetic like Mobil 1 will work just fine in these conditions. I'm up to 10K /once a year on my changes now - just like MINI now prescribes. I used to go twice a year or every 7,500 but the oil was so clean it seemed a waste to do it that often. When you peek in thru the oil cap opening it looks like it's brand new in the top of the head. If it's clean up there, it's clean in the pan..... leaving a cup of oil in the bottom of the pan does not mean it's going to turn to sludge, it will be mixed into the new oil as soon as you start the motor the first time. I had the pan off of a 170K mile car recently and it was clean as can be inside, and this was a car that followed the oil change indicator on the dash, rather than a schedule. I was very surprised at how clean it was inside...... However, the turbo motors are a little more prone to sludging in the turbo drain tube, so just pay attention to what you drain out and you'll be fine.
Ummm did you miss the parts about I run my with Meth? Oil gets dirty sooner. I am not worried about the "Long Life" spec of the oil, it more about meeting and exceeding the BMW motor oil standards. I have a couple grand in performance parts in my motor and being cheap on oil or oil change intervals is not an option.
I do understand what you wrote, but you don't need long life oil (which is the big difference in the "Euro" formulation) if you change often like you do. Why would meth make the oil dirtier?