Mini 10,000 Mile Oil change

[jerseyguy357]

I test drove a 2015 BMW Mini with the turbo. I went into the shop to check the oil info and was told that
I should bring it at 10,000 miles. They said "we use Castrol Oil, it is a special oil from Germany." What say you?

 

[Slick3914]

Horse feathers

 

[Chris142]

Too long oci in my book.

 

[meep]

I know the oem is calling for 15k oil changes but 10k is about the max I trust for longevity. I agree with 10k, unless it is primarily short-tripped and then would suggest 7500.

As far as a special oil - I’d check the owners manual for the required oil certifications and go from there. BMW friendly oil is available here easily, BUT sometimes those specs really do matter (thinking of Volkswagen cams, or LSPI with turbos) and to a degree discovered that my volvos did better when I stayed within certain oil specs where other makes wouldn’t care. But is it special “German oil,” - doubtful. Does it meet certain specs that might be harder to find - possibly. Heck - you can’t find synthetic 10-30 in a non-HM chemistry now - I have to order it, so it may not all be “lies.”

 

[dippschtick]

I use a special oil from Walmart.

 

[wavinwayne]

I use a special oil from Walmart.

Me, too, Pennzoil Euro L. Have to order it on walmart.com now since they stopped carrying it in stores.

 

[B1974]

5k oil change = cheap insurance. But I'm sure that shop would love to rebuild that engine for you $$$!

Do your own oil changes, it's way cheaper and it's personally rewarding. Plus it's not that hard, just research it first.

 

[vavavroom]

I test drove a 2015 BMW Mini with the turbo. I went into the shop to check the oil info and was told that
I should bring it at 10,000 miles. They said "we use Castrol Oil, it is a special oil from Germany." What say you?

The Gen II Mini has a flexible oil life monitor. With normal driving, you can expect the OLM to count down from about 9,000 miles and to make adjustments along the way based on driving conditions. Only you know with what OCI you feel comfortable.

 

[Gasbuggy]

LOL I'd do it at 5k unless it has 7+ quarts in there

 

[Snagglefoot]

I test drove a 2015 BMW Mini with the turbo. I went into the shop to check the oil info and was told that
I should bring it at 10,000 miles. They said "we use Castrol Oil, it is a special oil from Germany." What say you?

Yes, he’s probably talking about Castrol 0w30, made in Germany and the OLM on that vehicle IS around 10,000 miles. That is not uncommon at all with European cars. Let the OCD reign. You can change oil every Saturday if you like. Personally I tend to use 5,000 miles, but every Bitogger has their own level of comfort.

 

[RAR]

Do NOT leave the oil in your turbocharged, direct injected Mini Cooper engine beyond 5000 miles. Change it even earlier if you can.

BMW/MINI are trying to make their complex little cars seem more appealing by mandating longer oil change intervals. But these engines will carbon up and run like garbage if you follow that. Well, to be fair, the intake will carbon up regardless of oil change, but don’t leave your oil in that long.

I change mine every 3000 or at least every 6 months regardless of miles. I just rebuilt the top end and won’t let it get back to its worst days again (previous owner likely followed the long OCIs).

 

[TomYoung]

The Gen II Mini has a flexible oil life monitor. With normal driving, you can expect the OLM to count down from about 9,000 miles and to make adjustments along the way based on driving conditions. Only you know with what OCI you feel comfortable.

This is true, but I know what OCI should make you feel comfortable- 5,000 miles.

 

[Snagglefoot]

I use a special oil from Walmart.

Here you go. It’s SP.

 

[Egg_Head]

Castrol 0W-30 is made in Belgium, not Germany, find a new shop.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Castrol 0W-30 is made in Belgium, not Germany, find a new shop.
View attachment 240099

Unless the shop was recommending Castrol 0w40 with European specs. It is made in Germany. Expecting an American mechanic to know whether it came from Belgium or Germany .....well you’d have to be an Egghead for that.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I test drove a 2015 BMW Mini with the turbo. I went into the shop to check the oil info and was told that
I should bring it at 10,000 miles. They said "we use Castrol Oil, it is a special oil from Germany." What say you?

It's actually the lesser of 1 yr of 10k miles. I was on a 10k/1yr interval when I had my valve gasket changed at 55k miles and my valve train was spotless inside.

BMW USA uses Castrol at the dealerships. I have no idea where it is blended. At the time that Mini was sold the supplier was Shell.

From what I've read/heard/seen 10k vs 5k is largely irrelevant when it comes to BMW engine problems. Increasing an oil change frequency won't mitigate design/material choices.

 

[edyvw]

I test drove a 2015 BMW Mini with the turbo. I went into the shop to check the oil info and was told that
I should bring it at 10,000 miles. They said "we use Castrol Oil, it is a special oil from Germany." What say you?

Run away from that shop. Actually, don't drive on that street anymore.

 

[svenson]

"hey i got a special oil for your car ": shop mechanic.

"what year is it??" : you

"oh its from a special cellar from the famous Germany made Castrol..it ages in dry golden barells made in the black forest from exotic blonde angel women..you are very lucky sir!"

so, you are still thinking of going to this special shop with special oils?

 

[vavavroom]

This is true, but I know what OCI should make you feel comfortable- 5,000 miles.

You are projecting.

 

[Strumpan_]

10k miles is nothing for a normal daily driver, most on BOTIG got to much time for oil changes and just do it for the fun of it.
I do 5000km oil changes because i want to but i will never tell anyone else to do it. The oil comes out more or less new when i do a oil change. 10000 miles is nothing for a modern oil.
Most modern good and stable synth oils would probably do 40km easy today. We change oils at 1k hours at work on volvo machines which is around 40 000 km converted and the oil is just a basic semi synth 10W-30 and we have no engine failures.