Hi, 1st post.
My dealer is telling me that i'm only to use special Mini oil. Something that castrol makes exclusively for mini. This sounds like a load of crap to me. I like to do my own changes. Would mobil 1 syn be ok? Thanks Boomer5.
2005 cooper s convertible

Mobil 1 is what I use,change every 6k as I have the diesel...Best oil you can buy I recon

Peugeot don't use castrol bla bla bla and they build most of the engines used. mine especially

I'd agree; Mobil 1 Fully Synthetic, in the correct viscosity, is fine.

Well worth keeping to 6,000 change intervals if you are planning on keeping it long term.

PS: If you think your oil is expensive, you should try buying the stuff that the RS enjoys :eek: :rolleyes:

Special mini oil..:rolleyes:

i use 5/40 in mine as it stays slightly thicker @100degrees than the 30 weight

I use Mobil 1 0W40 in my Cooper.
Used it since buying the car brand new in 2004.
I change my oil every 12 months.

Hi ya
i use castol edge 5w30 in my MCS never had a problem with it different strokes for different folks
if your going to change the oil be careful the sump plugs have a tendency to over tight of next to impossible to get out so just bare it in mind when you change it and don't use a mulit hex socket i.e. 12 point use a 6 point you stand a better chance
i have herd of people damaging the sump so please just be careful
i no lots of guys that have bought a vacuum fluid retrevale kits because of this my mate also used his mums VAX hover to say she was not happy was and understatement was funny to see though good luck just take your time

I use Mobil 1 0W40 in my Cooper.
I've had great results with Mobil 0w-40.
However, I change mine every 4K-5K miles.

- Erik

Make sure you use a approved oil, if you get a engine failure Mini can find out wich oil you have used the last 4 oil changes with just one little oil sample

FWIW the cost of the oil in may last service at the Mini Garage (BMW) Dealer was AUD153.00!

PO had put Shell Helix in it and it ran like a dog...

Cheap compared with a new engine/supercharger I guess.

Another vote for Mobil 1 0W40. Unlike some of the other Mobil 1 weights, it has the appropriate
certifications for both gen 1 and gen 2 MINIs.
If you have very cold winters up there in Canada, that would perhaps throw a slight preference toward
the MINI branded 5W30 or 0W30 (for some reason US cars get 5W30 and Euro MINIs get 0W30 - not sure
what they get in Canada - I'd probably go for 0W30 in Canada given the choice). Around here the MINI oil
is cheaper by the quart at the dealer's parts counter than Mobil 1 at the auto store.
The European formula Castrol Syntec in 0W30 is also perfectly fine for the MINI.

Hi, 1st post.
My dealer is telling me that i'm only to use special Mini oil. Something that castrol makes exclusively for mini. This sounds like a load of crap to me. I like to do my own changes. Would mobil 1 syn be ok? Thanks Boomer5.
2005 cooper s convertible

He is wrong - MINI actually has a list of synthetic oil that it recommends. Castrol is the #1 recommended (I assume that is merely due to contractual agreements) - but a host of others are recommended as well.

Here's the link:

FAQs: Maintenance at MINIUSA.com (http://www.miniusa.com/faq.jsp?category=10#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m)

The question of "which oil to use" can be found on any auto related forum on the net. When I owned my C5 corvette, it was brought up at least twice a week by someone that was concerned with the name on the bottle.
I think we tend to forget that there are specifications that oil must meet and they are listed on the individual bottles. I certainly don't recommend using a non-synthetic oil in a car that the manufacturer states "requires" it. It's the "mini oil" vs Mobil 1 vs XXXX oil that really doesn't make sense to me.
Has anyone else ever been to a car event where they drained all the oil and anti-freeze from a old Ford, Chevy, and Mopar and ran them until the engines go up in smoke? It's amazing how long these engines run without any oil or anti-freeze, some up to 20-30 minutes. My point here is--if that happens with no oil or coolant, I'm not too worried about what brand name is on the bottle of a specification meeting high grade synthetic oil. I'm probably opening a hornets nest here but I believe we need to remember, it's a lubricant, not a black magic liquid!

The question of "which oil to use" can be found on any auto related forum on the net. When I owned my C5 corvette, it was brought up at least twice a week by someone that was concerned with the name on the bottle.
I think we tend to forget that there are specifications that oil must meet and they are listed on the individual bottles. I certainly don't recommend using a non-synthetic oil in a car that the manufacturer states "requires" it. It's the "mini oil" vs Mobil 1 vs XXXX oil that really doesn't make sense to me.
Has anyone else ever been to a car event where they drained all the oil and anti-freeze from a old Ford, Chevy, and Mopar and ran them until the engines go up in smoke? It's amazing how long these engines run without any oil or anti-freeze, some up to 20-30 minutes. My point here is--if that happens with no oil or coolant, I'm not too worried about what brand name is on the bottle of a specification meeting high grade synthetic oil. I'm probably opening a hornets nest here but I believe we need to remember, it's a lubricant, not a black magic liquid!

Of course don't forget that the car may technically "run" even with a dirty oil filter and with oil with little viscosity, but it does harm the engine and shorten its life over the long run.

Technically, I do understand your point. Did you catch mine? I addressed oil brands that meet the engine specifications, not the use of dirty/used oil/filters and it's effect on engines.:confused:

Technically, I do understand your point. Did you catch mine? I addressed oil brands that meet the engine specifications, not the use of dirty/used oil/filters and it's effect on engines.:confused:

Apologies! :redface:

I read your post very quickly just as I was about to shut down and made a hasty reply. A hundreds slaps with a wet noodle for me! :aargh:

Hi today I just did my oil change on my 03 standard cooper

I used royal purple 5w20
I won't be changing oil until after 6k

Best way to find out which oil for cooper is check out the website on FAQ


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I have my oil changed at 36k with Lubro Moly 5W-30. Does anyone know if that's any good? SAE gr 5W-30 sounds about right..but what about the brand Lubro Moly?

I'm hitting 42k now. Thinking if I should go back and get Lubro Moly again..

I just changed my oil to royal purple 5w20
Anyone else uses royal purple?
I'm thinking redline next oil change


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Six
50 web noodle slaps is plenty for such a minor glitch!:D

I just changed my oil to royal purple 5w20
Anyone else uses royal purple?
I'm thinking redline next oil change


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We do. Been running great. 5W30 or 0W30 depending on what's available.

Only problem with it is that it's damn near impossible to read the dipstick cause of the oils color when new.

Lol I can't believe the number of opinions here :) And there are some VERY good oils being named here...

Not meaning to step on anyone's toes, but FWIW the "official" MINI/BMW labelled fluids we get in Oz are as follows:
Oils are rebadged Castrol (typically Edge Sport - their fully synth)
Coolants are rebadged Castrol
Hydraulic fluids (power steering etc) are rebadged ATe
Brake fluids are rebadged Castrol.

So yeah if you get the right product in Castrol / ATe and make sure you get the right grade, it's the same stufff as in the plain packaging with a MINI logo.