Mini cooper S - Euro Oil required?

[ad244]

Hey Guys,
I picked up a pretty cherry 2005 Mini cooper s with the supercharged chrysler derrived 1.6L engine. The manual stipulates either 5w-30 or 5w-40 LL01 is applicable. The sticker on the air filter cover says 5w-30. The maintenance minder on this thing wants to click over 12,000 miles however likely I'll just do 5,000 mi oil changes.

Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

Any oil recommendations are appreciated.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by ad244
Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

I would, considering they don't cost any more than other quality synthetics on the shelf at your local Walmart.

 

[RooflessVW]

Yes. Use the oil specified. It's not as if they are more expensive or hard to find.

How many miles on the car? Suggest you change the supercharger oil as well.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by ad244
Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

I would, considering they don't cost any more than other quality synthetics on the shelf at your local Walmart.


What would you recommend?

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by rooflessVW
Yes. Use the oil specified. It's not as if they are more expensive or hard to find.

How many miles on the car? Suggest you change the supercharger oil as well.


About to click 105,000. Its going into the shop soon for a weird rattle I cant diagnose. It could very well be the SC death rattle. Its extremly clean and I picked it up for $1,500 so no hesitations to put a little $ into it.

Would you say 0w-40 for Southern CA climate?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by ad244
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by ad244
Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

I would, considering they don't cost any more than other quality synthetics on the shelf at your local Walmart.


What would you recommend?

I'm using Castrol Edge 0W-40, but M1 0W-40 should work just as well. Some people claim M1 makes their engines more noisy. I can't confirm nor deny.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Actually at the time Tritec Motors was a subsidiary of BMW owned Rover via a 50 percent ownership stake with Chrysler taking the other half. BMW sold their stake in 2007 to Benz.


Feel free to use any A3/B4 oil on a 5k mile OCI. You want a HTHS of 3.5 or more.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by ad244
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by ad244
Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

I would, considering they don't cost any more than other quality synthetics on the shelf at your local Walmart.


What would you recommend?

I'm using Castrol Edge 0W-40, but M1 0W-40 should work just as well. Some people claim M1 makes their engines more noisy. I can't confirm nor deny.


Thanks for the recommendation, I was under the impression that Castrol Edge was basically a "fake" synthetic? Or at least not a very good one. Not that this engine needs an amazing oil but.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
Actually at the time Tritec Motors was a subsidiary of BMW owned Rover via a 50 percent ownership stake with Chrysler taking the other half. BMW sold their stake in 2007 to Benz.

Feel free to use any A3/B4 oil on a 5k mile OCI. You want a HTHS of 3.5 or more.



Thanks for the information, I had no idea.

I've got a 5 quarter of Mobil 1 HIgh Mileage 5w-30 which I believe meets those specs, I was going to change out after it returns from the shop.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by ad244
[ I was under the impression that Castrol Edge was basically a "fake" synthetic? Or at least not a very good one. Not that this engine needs an amazing oil but.

If Edge is a "fake" synthetic, then so is M1 0W-40. LOL.

My advice would be to focus on actual engine manufacturer approvals rather than on the list of ingredients.

Quote
I've got a 5 quarter of Mobil 1 HIgh Mileage 5w-30 which I believe meets those specs, I was going to change out after it returns from the shop.
M1 HM 5W-30 is not an ACEA A3/B4 oil.

 

[benjy]

most ALL synthetics in the $5 a qt range are fake synthetic highly processed group III crude oils that may have some real aka PAO or Ester oil in the blend. being in a warmer climate with a high mileage engine a 5-40 would be a good choice or a 15-50 if its a user, neat little cars that from reading are quite problematic, good luck!

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by ad244
[ I was under the impression that Castrol Edge was basically a "fake" synthetic? Or at least not a very good one. Not that this engine needs an amazing oil but.

If Edge is a "fake" synthetic, then so is M1 0W-40. LOL.

My advice would be to focus on actual engine manufacturer approvals rather than on the list of ingredients.

Quote
I've got a 5 quarter of Mobil 1 HIgh Mileage 5w-30 which I believe meets those specs, I was going to change out after it returns from the shop.
M1 HM 5W-30 is not an ACEA A3/B4 oil.



[censored] you're right. I guess I'll save the 5w-30 for my Tacoma and buy some Euro 0w-40 depending which one I can get at Wally world this week. Thanks again

Originally Posted by benjy
most ALL synthetics in the $5 a qt range are fake synthetic highly processed group III crude oils that may have some real aka PAO or Ester oil in the blend. being in a warmer climate with a high mileage engine a 5-40 would be a good choice or a 15-50 if its a user, neat little cars that from reading are quite problematic, good luck!


I'm open to suggestions, not trying to start an oil war! Ha ha!

Yep, but the price of parts have come down alot, the issues are well documented, I have a specialist shop right down the street and it will be a 3rd Vehicle.

 

[silveravant]

Check the cooling fan for the power steering. Unprotected, under the car. Should come on with the AC.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by ad244
Hey Guys,
I picked up a pretty cherry 2005 Mini cooper s with the supercharged chrysler derrived 1.6L engine. The manual stipulates either 5w-30 or 5w-40 LL01 is applicable. The sticker on the air filter cover says 5w-30. The maintenance minder on this thing wants to click over 12,000 miles however likely I'll just do 5,000 mi oil changes.

Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

Any oil recommendations are appreciated.

Castrol 0W40
Mobil1 0W40 FS
Pennzoil Platinum EUro 5W40

And my favorite:
Castrol Edge 0W30. This one is on Amazon sometimes on sale, but still it is bit more expensive. Though, it is "real" synthetic.
As Quattro Pete told you, be focused on manufacturer approvals, but, at the same time, preferably, choose oil that has MB 229.5 approval together with LL01 that your car requires. Now, Mobil1 0W40 FS does not have LL01 anymore, but I think it is due to the fact that BMW is slowly phasing out LL01.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Now, Mobil1 0W40 FS does not have LL01 anymore, but I think it is due to the fact that BMW is slowly phasing out LL01.
FYI, Castrol dropped the LL-01 approval from Edge 0W-30 and Edge 0W-40 recently as well.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
Originally Posted by edyvw
Now, Mobil1 0W40 FS does not have LL01 anymore, but I think it is due to the fact that BMW is slowly phasing out LL01.
FYI, Castrol dropped the LL-01 approval from Edge 0W-30 and Edge 0W-40 recently as well.


Yeah, true. Forgot that.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by ad244
Hey Guys,
I picked up a pretty cherry 2005 Mini cooper s with the supercharged chrysler derrived 1.6L engine. The manual stipulates either 5w-30 or 5w-40 LL01 is applicable. The sticker on the air filter cover says 5w-30. The maintenance minder on this thing wants to click over 12,000 miles however likely I'll just do 5,000 mi oil changes.

Do I really need to use a higher end Euro oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 or Catrol etc?

Any oil recommendations are appreciated.

Castrol 0W40
Mobil1 0W40 FS
Pennzoil Platinum EUro 5W40

And my favorite:
Castrol Edge 0W30. This one is on Amazon sometimes on sale, but still it is bit more expensive. Though, it is "real" synthetic.
As Quattro Pete told you, be focused on manufacturer approvals, but, at the same time, preferably, choose oil that has MB 229.5 approval together with LL01 that your car requires. Now, Mobil1 0W40 FS does not have LL01 anymore, but I think it is due to the fact that BMW is slowly phasing out LL01.


Cool! Thank you!

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete

My advice would be to focus on actual engine manufacturer approvals rather than on the list of ingredients.


Exactly. You want LL-01 approval- if you don't want to use the proper oil don't buy the car.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Awesome cherry Mini! (Does somebody already have dibs on the vanity plate "Mini Me" ? Probably, dad gum it.)

Any name-brand full-synthetic that says VW 502 or 504 on it will work great. Those are very tough performance standards. (HTHS around 3.5-ish). First I'd restore the rings to look great like the visible parts of the car though:

After time and miles, the ring area needs carbon-cleaning with JAG's & Lignums's special oil --->
https://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/valvoline-877377/premium-blue-restore-10w30-gallon-p-vvl-877377
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...re-considering-a-thicker-oil#Post5099862
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...xg3506-valvoline-blue-restore-1000-miles
https://www.bobistheoilguy.com/foru...arbon-cleaning-valvoline-premium-restore

Originally Posted by MCompact
You want LL-01 approval- if you don't want to use the proper oil don't buy the car.
No, any full syn with HTHS 3.2 to 3.9 would be great in that engine. I do tend to like the biggest pile of engine performance tests though, and VW 502 or 504 is about the best in this category. Another great, tough oil, in this category is Rotella T6 Multi-Vehicle 5w30 which can be ordered for pickup at any Walmart.

 

[ad244]

Originally Posted by MCompact
Originally Posted by Quattro Pete

My advice would be to focus on actual engine manufacturer approvals rather than on the list of ingredients.


Exactly. You want LL-01 approval- if you don't want to use the proper oil don't buy the car.


Relax Kentucky. Its an old rating and im here to learn.