Since you change your oil way too often, and I assume you use a synthetic oil, I can't imagine the oil clogging anything. Is it possible that your engine made that sound before, but since you haven't driven the car in a month, you are more sensitive to sounds coming from it? On my R56, that is the side of the engine that the timing chain is on. I have a new timing chain and tensioner, but it is still not silent. A timing belt would be silent. If you live near some other R53 owners, pay them a visit, and listen to their cars next to yours, to see if yours sounds worse. CD
Thanks CD. This is on my R58 with the N14 engine and this sound is very pronounced even my wife hears is. It is defiantly a new sound. I think is is in the valve train the more I think of it. I don't get home till tonight, tomorrow I will pull the valve cover. Oil change too often?? never. I am just keeping it clean. The oil is still good sure but It does stay cleaner
Being an R58, I would have the timing chain and tensioner checked out, especially since the noise is coming from that end of the engine. As for oil-change intervals, I am a science-based guy, and the scientific evidence says that a quality synthetic, like Mobil 1, is good for at least 10K miles. So, if you are superstitious, or a science doubter, I would think that every 5K would be more than enough. But, it is your money. CD
@caseydog I may do the timing chain and tensioner even if it looks good when I get in there just as cheep insurance. Your right about modern synthetic oil. I am not a since doubter, I am an old fart stuck in my ways I remember making fun of my step dad now I have become him! But thats not so bad he was great
Not sure I bought the MINI strictly for reliability. It is a fine balance between reliability, fun to drive, fuel economy, comfort, safety, handling, performance etc etc etc.... In my R53, I sacrificed some fuel economy and reliability for performance by installing a reduced pulley and 22mm rear swaybar. But the overall ownership value (which is subjective) is very high. If I wanted well built and reliable, I would probably go for a Toyota Corolla, but the wife hates Toyota seats and the performance is abysmal. If I wanted strictly performance, I probably would have gone for a Corvette, or Lotus Elise or Cayman. But it was the balance overall of what I wanted that drew me to the MINI in the case of the R53. We have been looking at other cars also. But the wife would like to stick to MINI or BMW because both our cars are closing in on 15 years old and the chassis still feels as solid as when they were new. Can't say that for many of the cars that cost a bit less and have a reputation for being "better built". I've just recovered from a rear-ender. It was a joke the difference in damage between our BMW and the Hyundai Optima that hit us. Our car had some minor bumper damage, the car that hit us was barely driveable with a lot more front end damage.
One of the pilots I flew with was in a countryman with her daughter stopped at a light. There was a cop running radar down the street pointed in her direction. A Dodge pickup being driven by a drunk driver hit her in the rear without slowing down. the truck only made it a little farther before braking down. the cop came to her and she yelled they were ok get him. The cop told her later she was hit at 80 MPH. He said said he expected to see dead people in the mini and was surprised they were ok.
Wow. MINI's are pretty well known for being able to take a hit with the best of em. I've seen a couple different cases where a larger SUV pulled out in front of MINI's and ended up on their side while the MINI's just had some front end damage. Aside from the reliability aspect they're built like tanks.
Cleaned up my dash cam installs. The rear gave me a bit of trouble but I think I have it sorted now. Yes I drilled a hole behind my 3rd brake light. #worthit
Ummm Mobil 1 is not a pure synthetic oil any longer and has not been for a while. Also newer minis need frequent oil changes because of poor motor development. Also and most important the oil filter is still made of paper and can not filter properly once it’s dirty so you are just circulating dirty oil on a poorly designed motor. Mobil 1 is a blend of synthetic and dino oils. It was originally a pure synthetic, but Mobil successfully lobbied to continue using the 'synthetic' description while changing the formulation to a blend. They can do that in the US [where their lobbying dollars get traction] but countries like Japan and many Euro community members actually require that products are described acurately. Amsoil, Motul, Redline, Royal Purple, and others are true synthetics.
@Dave.0 do you use the Amsoil oil filters? I put Royal Purple in my sons Mustang. That now sleeps under a cover in the drive way. He has a jeep at school.
Countryman S if going down that route. @Jediglx brought hers over and we drove it. Was a good time and quite solid for the car. Clubman or 4 door are options if you want to keep it more sporty. Also the 2L engine has lots of opportunity if ever looking for more juice. I haven’t driven an all4.. but one of the guys at the dragon said it was awesome.. so I would probably test drive it.. it sure what the weight difference is
@Dave.0 I had no idea that Mobil 1 wasn't full synthetic. That's what I use to top off between oil changes. Looks like I need to look for another "high end" low cost synthetic for that now... Is that Syntec full synthetic?
Not too long ago I seriously considered a 17' Clubby S All 4 with the 6 speed.... They's ugly but there's something about AWD and a stick shift that is very attractive to an ex drag fiend. The car rides fantastic as well.
Interesting, I read the same story yeas ago. It was the same, but the oil name was Castrol. I've run Mobil 1 in all my cars for probably 28 years if I'm remembering correctly. Since I changed oil every 3,000 mi until 10 years ago when I moved to 5,000 mi. I was getting older & lazier hence the change. I figure as long as one changes their favorite oil when they should it will all be good. Since this is an oil thread now there will be no agreement on anything.
Possibly my favorite Larson. Although there are so many that make one laugh out loud. Larson was a comic genius. Wish he was drawing toons & still making books.
Swapped out my Stubby for a shorter Stubby last night. When I'm hauling stuff on the roof rack it got in the way. This one looks stupid but tis needed at the moment.
If you really want to get into the whole "is it really a synthetic oil" thing......here ya go. Very little difference between (if any) them.
Sorta MINI related... I will be 75 on Aug. 17 of this year. I am making arrangements to leave on the 16th., drive to Detroit Tuned, and have an RMW shorty header installed, along with some other work. That is the weekend of the big Detroit cruise in on Woodward Blve. where I will spend Saturday. From there I will drive to Lakeside, Oh and spend a few days on Lake Erie. I know some wonderful driving roads (scenic),not like the Dragon. My family has had a cottage there for 40 years and know all the great spots like the Civil War cemetery that is fun to visit. This is a perfect birthday for me. If anyone is in the area and wants to get together, let me know.
