MINI Cooper S Question

[MiniSuperCooper]

I hope this isn't a dumb question. My 06 MINI has around 10,000 miles on this oil. I wanted to change it at 7,500, but was not in a situation where I could change my oil. (it was changed at the dealer and therefore I assume it's the MINI branded oil) I was planning to change it this weekend. I had bought what I thought was GC at AutoZone, but right before I changed it I read that it was made in the USA. So, I came here and read about the USA stuff, and I wasn't that impressed. Anyway, I'm taking it back if I can. Now I'm debating a 150 mile round trip to the dealer to get the MINI branded oil or continuing my search for GC. (running some errands today and it's possible I might be able to get my hands on some) Sorry for the longwinded post, but there is a point. I've always been anal about oil changes, because that's the way my Dad raised me. Plus, I always had family members that didn't change their oil, and they went through cars like most people go through golf tees. My Dad also continuously told me that changing oil brands is hard on a car. In other words, you're suppose to pick an oil and stick with it...and if you choose to change the oil, that's fine, but you should stick with it. If I put GC in the MIN, I'll take it to the dealer in 3-4 months to get it changed again....at which point the dealer will put MINI branded oil in the car again. Is it really bad to change back and forth and try different oils? People here seem to do it, and you guys know your stuff. Where did my Dad get this? Was it some kind of myth?

 

[crw]

I believe it's a myth. I'm sure others will elaborate.

I also kinda doubt there is a Mini branded oil. There might be a Mini recommended oil, but that would be only a recommendation, and it's also something that you can find on the shelf at Wal-Mart or your local AZ. Or, you can find better choices at the store.

GC, in a correct weight, is likely an excellent choice.

IMHO, by far, (FAR!) the more weighty matter is changing the oil in the appropriate time! Get that oil changed now, and don't waste the gas and money to drive to the dealer!

 

[crw]

Well, after doing a tiny bit of research, it appears that the Mini has the same "optimistic" (again, in my opinion) Oil Life Monitor that BMWs have. That is, they can go up to 20K miles or more before recommending an oil change.

Whatever you think of that, what does your User Manual suggest as the weight? Certainly, it would need to be a high quality synthetic if you're going to go anywhere near the OLM recommendations.

 

[Steve S]

How about Mobil 1 0W-40?

 

[Johnny]

The Mini oil is probably the same stuff as their BMW oil, which is made by Castrol. But, I'm with Steve S on this one. I would run Mobil 1 0W-40 in it. You can buy it at you local Wal-Mart and you would be hard pressed to beat it.

to BITOG MiniSuperCooper. What part of G O D's country are you located?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
MiniSuperCooper - I endorse the advice of Steve S and Johnny, Mobil 1 0W-40 is an excellent product to use in your car

 

[Drivebelt]

Quote:
My Dad also continuously told me that changing oil brands is hard on a car. In other words, you're suppose to pick an oil and stick with it...and if you choose to change the oil, that's fine, but you should stick with it. If I put GC in the MIN, I'll take it to the dealer in 3-4 months to get it changed again....at which point the dealer will put MINI branded oil in the car again. Is it really bad to change back and forth and try different oils? People here seem to do it, and you guys know your stuff. Where did my Dad get this? Was it some kind of myth?


Change to a different brand of oil anytime you want -- no problem. We have some users here who change to a different oil almost every oil change (sales on certain brands, they like to try a different oil etc.) and have been doing so for many years.

 

[MiniSuperCooper]

Originally Posted By: Johnny

to BITOG MiniSuperCooper. What part of G O D's country are you located?


Thank you for all the great comments! And thanks for the welcome! I'm from Southern Oklahoma (just moved down here from Tulsa last week)...I was in Lawton yesterday morning and went to AutoZone to return that oil. When I was there I saw they had GC and figured I'd try it. I figure if I don't like it, my yearly maintenance is coming up in late August, so I won't have it very long anyway. I just want to drive my car and not worry. If I went by my car's on board computer, I wouldn't change it for another 7,500 miles.

Anyway, is BlackStone probably the best place to go for an analysis?

 

[Johnny]

They do a good job and the price is right. Sometimes they add silly comments but I have no problem with them.

Back to Oklahoma. I was born in Chickasha and for a while lived in the big city of Cyril just north of Lawton. Then the family packed up and moved to Dallas and after spending 40-years there, I moved to WI. I still call Oklahoma home. Something about red dirt and big red ants that you just cannot get out of your system. Besides, the best watermelons in the world are grown in Rush Springs.

 

[MiniSuperCooper]

I grew up in Rush Springs. (My parents still live there and have a few acres of watermelon behind their house.) I moved back and taught there for a couple of years after college. It's a small world.

 

[ewetho]

None of my local Walmarts have 0W-40 M1

 

[rickdm]

I also have a Mini Cooper S. Would you would recommend Mobil 0W-40 over GC 0w30 for a car that the manufacturer suggests 5w30. I have read that GC is on the high end of viscosity, but surely it is not as thick as Mobil 1 0W-40?

rickdm

 

[Quattro Pete]

What particular specs does an oil for Mini require (apart from being 5w30)? If both GC and Mobil 1 0w-40 meet them, then I'd go with GC. I think the only reason Mobil 1 0w-40 was recommended here was for situations when GC cannot be found.

Generally the GC is perceived as a more stable oil. Mobil 1 0w-40 has a tendency to shear to a 30-grade. It is difficult to say what may be the side effects of such shearing though. All in all, Mobil 1 0w-40 is not a bad oil, but if both were readily available, I'd go with GC.

 

[bmwtechguy]

You can get 5 quarts of the Mobil 1 0W-40 and a Mobil 1 oil filter (for another car possibly since no Mobil 1 cartridge filters yet available) all for a sale price of $26 at AutoZone and $27 at Advance Auto. This is a decent deal that is on for another week or so. They had a similar deal for 5 qts GC 0w30 for 25.99 with a Bosch oil filter (at AZ). I'm not sure if that deal is still on. Better call the store first with gas so high...