Mini Cooper OCI help.

[CATERHAM]

Don't think so.
According to Rouge21 SLX is the same as Castrol Edge which is quite light with a 100C vis of 9.77 cSt IIRC.
BMW's 100C vis is in the 11.5 to 12+ cSt range with a HTHS of 3.5cP. As far as meeting the BMW spec' with an OTC Castrol oil GC is your best bet.

 

[Durango]

If they use Castrol "EDGE" then that's the oil I'd use and just drive it until the OLM tells me to change it out.

Again drive it on the weekends on the highway for an hour and a half to enjoy the drive and give the oil some time to heat-up and circulate throughout the engine to melt any possible sludge build up if any.

Durango

 

[Ausfahrt]

I had the same concerns with the MINI I bought my wife last July. I decided to change it myself just last week at 7500 miles and I plan on letting the dealer do the free OC at 15000 which should be this summer.

I used the MINI branded oil from the dealership and a Mann filter. The MINI oil is surprisingly reasonable at under $6.00 a quart. You can also check out www.northamericanmotoring.com for MINI specific info. Good luck.

 

[walker33]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think the twice a year with GC is what I'll do. The local Pep Boys carries GC so getting oil isn't a hassle and I'll add in some nice long drives to keep things loosened up : )

A little off topic, but I'm kinda surprised at the attitude some people have with the Mini. I've heard it before and I don't quite get it.

The GF for years had wanted one and I kept putting her off, not due to the Mini but the whole car buying experience in general, until she said her brother wanted to buy her old vehicle and she wanted to test drive a Mini pleaseeeee......

So I looked into them and found the Mini site bigdreama listed above and rest is history. All it took was a test drive and I was sold. Sure they're not for everyone and they have their quirks, but the fun factor, speed and handling make driving a blast.

Hopping in to grab a gallon of milk has never been better!

I look at as "to each his own"...some people like Harleys, big 4x4's, Corvettes or whatever. It's your choice, I don't care what you spend your cash on, so why care about what others do?

And Johnny....too bad you're not closer, I'd be happy to let you take the Mini out for a run and a few beers : )

 

[Johnny]

Well, since you offered the few beers, I'll start heading that way.

 

[walker33]

LoL! there are some nice brew places here with even nicer drives attached! Now I'm getting thirsty...

 

[Johnny]

What could be better, a winding road in PA, a Mini, and a cold brew.

 

[Durango]

walker33,

You and your GF have a super nice car for general driving around town. If you and your GF like it then it's for you. Everyone else is just their opinion. OK it's doesn't have the super tech engine with five hundred horses BUT who cares. A small sporty like car for the weekends along with nice sun shine thrown in will make you happy. It's after all your money.

For myself I hope you have the sportier version with those cute duel exhaust in the back!!! That's would I'd go for if I had the money but I'm toying around with a new 08' Impala SS bought just 6 months ago along with my 01' Durango V-8 so I have enough insurance headaches.

My two car/truck might not be the perfect duo either but it's what I wanted and it's my money and it makes my a happy camper.

Well the rain out here in Los Angeles is past for now so I'm off taking my truck for a super nice spin myself.

I use Mobil 1 synthetic in both vehicles using the OEM filers.


Durango

 

[silverrat]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Originally Posted By: silverrat
Let the dealer change the oil whenever they specify until the warranty is up. After the warranty is up get rid of the car. I don't think a Mini is worth owning past the warranty period.


Since when were we into car bashing on BITOG?

I personally think Mini's are great little Oxford made Bimmer's.


Since when is my opinion automatically bashing? I don't think it's worth owning, because compared to the car I have now a Mini made by BMW is like an exotic car. And to think of repairing and maintaining a car like that for me would be like owning an exotic.

 

[wander2039]

Nothing to contribute but I'd love to own a Mini! I think it could be a good match for the Festiva. I'm waiting to see what the new Mini SUV will look like.. by the time they hit the used market the Escape will need retiring.

 

[Quattro Pete]

My fiance wanted a Mini really bad, until she saw the interior...

But if you can get past that, then it's a nice little fun car to drive.

 

[walker33]

Yes, it does have the dual exhaust. The Mini S is a turbo which has the 2 exhaust tips in the center. The NA model has the exhaust on the right.

I don't think the interior is that bad at all, the seats are nice. The dash though is goofy. Why they ever went with the design they did is beyond me.

As far as repairs go, all scheduled maintenance is taken care of by Mini for 3/36 and the warranty goes out to 4/50 so hopefully the breakdowns/repairs (if needed) will be covered. This was the main reason for buying it as service is so costly on it. If it turns out to be a lemon it'll be gone soon enough.

 

[Johnny]

In that case, you drive the Mini to Wausau and I'll buy the brews.

 

[walker33]

I'm typing Wausau into the gps now!

 

[Durango]

Originally Posted By: walker33


Yes, it does have the dual exhaust. The Mini S is a turbo which has the 2 exhaust tips in the center. The NA model has the exhaust on the right.

I don't think the interior is that bad at all, the seats are nice. The dash though is goofy. Why they ever went with the design they did is beyond me.

As far as repairs go, all scheduled maintenance is taken care of by Mini for 3/36 and the warranty goes out to 4/50 so hopefully the breakdowns/repairs (if needed) will be covered. This was the main reason for buying it as service is so costly on it. If it turns out to be a lemon it'll be gone soon enough.



Walker33,

As long as the Mini Cooper is still under warranty I wouldn't change thge oil until your talk to the dealership first. You paid for that warranty and you don't want to viod it in anyway. As long as they use a synthetic oil as a standard then I'd use it right up until the warranty passes and then your free to use any oil you please.

As far as maintanence is concern if their's a website/forum devoted for people that have "Mini Coopers" I'd join. The information you can get can help you and your GF budget for any possible repairs that may come up.

Enjoy driving your Cooper on the weekends as it;s gas mileage is fantastic.

Durango