[polarisboy385]

So I went to pick up a few liters of oil from the dealer so I can keep her topped off between service points. I paid a fair price for what I thought would be MINI specific oil. The dealer gave me castrol synthetic (the stuff in the gold bottle)

Is this MINI approved oil? I would think BMW would have a special kind (branded) of oil to put into the MINI.

 

[uke]

Why should it matter? My understanding is that any oil of the appropriate type, with the normal quality certifications and of the proper viscosity is perfectly fine, regardless of who manufactures it.

I have long suspected that requiring Special Golden Oil hand milked from rare Bavarian Oil Cows during Winter Solstice is more a marketing ploy to make yuppies feel special. From an engineering standpoint, oil is oil. Just make sure it conforms to the expected API certification as specified in the manual, and Life Is Good.

But I can be convinced otherwise, with evidence to the contrary...

 

[2 in the family]

So I went to pick up a few liters of oil from the dealer so I can keep her topped off between service points. I paid a fair price for what I thought would be MINI specific oil. The dealer gave me castrol synthetic (the stuff in the gold bottle)

Is this MINI approved oil? I would think BMW would have a special kind (branded) of oil to put into the MINI.

The oil supplied as an extra (which I got gratis) is in a mini branded carrier but it is just Castrol, tbh all mini would do is get it from Castrol and stick a label on it. Oil production isn't yet BMWs side business.
And when I mean just Castrol, they do have rather a good name when it comes to oil and have been around a while.

 

[TX1911fan]

Most of our Minis even have a sticker on the engine cover stating that Mini recommends Castrol oil.

I like Mobile 1 European Blend myself and will probably use that if I do any of my own oil changes.


Interesting Update:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/11/11/mini-replaces-castrol-with-shell-as-official-motor-oil/

 

[subguy658]

As noted above, MINI uses Castrol Edge 5W-30 full synthetic oil, but one must understand that there are several different grades of Castrol Edge full synthetic!! Search "Castrol Edge Product Data Sheet" to see for yourself.

OK, so MINI specifies that their motor oil must meet EU oil grade standards ACEA A3/B3 or A3/B4, therefore it must be Castrol Product #467525 . Per the 2012 ACEA oil standards (attached), A3/B4 oil is long-life, and MINI oil change intervals are set based on that long-life, so if you use a lesser grade (shorter life), the MINI suggested intervals go totally out the window if they aren't already (I change my oil at half-suggested intervals).

Also, if you watch www.jmturbocoopers.com video "How to kill a new turbo quick Part 4", you will see that not using ACEA A3/B4 oil can aid in rapid degradation of your turbo! (If you have a turbo, of course.) The video is very compelling!

In short, make sure you use ACEA A3/B4 graded oil. Shell is going to be MINIs new oil provider, and I am sure they will use oil that meets this spec!!

 

[TX1911fan]

Mobile 1 European Blend (0W40) says the following on Mobile's website:

Mobil 1 0W-40 synthetic motor oil meets or exceeds the requirements of:
API SN, SM, SL, SJ
ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4

Mobil 1 0W-40 has the following builder approvals:
MB-Approval 229.3
MB-Approval 229.5
BMW LONGLIFE OIL 01
VW 502 00/505 00
PORSCHE A40

5W30 says:

Mobil 1 5W-30 synthetic motor oil meets or exceeds the requirements of:
ACEA A1/B1, A5/B5
API SN, SM, SL, SJ
ILSAC GF-5



Information at https://mobiloil.com/en/motor-oils/mobil-1/mobil-1#0W-40

 

[KazO]

FWIW, starting this year, BMW/Mini has changed their oil supplier from Castro to Shell:
http://www.shell.com/global/product...shell-to-be-bmw-recommended-oil-supplier.html

The GTL product mentioned in the press release is sold in the US as Pennzoil Platinum, and the Euro 5w30 and 5w40 grades meet official spec (BMW LL-01).

 

[Stingray82]

The best oil comes from the Alberta tar sands, it is "Steam Sanitized" to ensure freshness and flavour. Just ask Obama!

 

[polarisboy385]

Thanks for the input all!


I was just worried as I know some oils have different additives that cause wear and tear faster than others.


I can't remember where I read it but there was a study done comparing Mobil 1 to Shell Rotella T6, and the test showed that because of the make up of the Mobil 1 the amount of wear that occurred on engine parts was considerably higher.

 

[jeremybingham]

It revolves around the long service intervals which is why I change mine more regularly. I was under the impression the oil should be bmw ll04 preferably to ll01 and to ace a c3 spec.?or is that uk only?

 

[Stingray82]

I was just worried as I know some oils have different additives that cause wear and tear faster than others.

Which ones are those? I might have a reason to want to wear out a car fast. Knowing which oils are designed to do that might be handy if the company ever gives me a Fiat or a Kia or something like that! In fact we have a Yaris I'd like to put the final strokes on.

 

[KazO]

I found this in a seemingly non-market-specific F55/F56 owner's manual where it specifies LL-01. I was surprised too that it wasn't LL-04, though I've read elsewhere that LL-04 is now specifically for DPF/DEF-equipped diesels only:
-----------------------------------
Oil types for refilling
Oil additives may lead to engine damage.◀
Viscosity grades for engine oils
When selecting an engine oil, ensure that the engine oil belongs to one of the viscosity grades SAE 0W-40, SAE 0W-30, SAE 5W-40, and
SAE 5W-30 or malfunctions or engine damage may occur.◀

The engine oil quality is critical for the life of the engine.
Approved oil types
You can add oils with the following specifications:
Gasoline engine
BMW Longlife-01
BMW Longlife-01 FE

Additional information about the approved types of oils can be requested from the service center.

Alternative oil types If the approved engine oils are not available, up to 1 US quart/liter of an oil with the following specification can be added: Gasoline engine API SM or superior grade specification
-------------------------------------
Some of these seem somewhat arbitrary. For example, my 2001 E46 specifies "BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil". A 2002 E46 with the identical engine specifies LL-01, since the LL-01 spec was created in 2001 primarily to work with Valvetronic launched on the N42/N62. Plus many oil companies will change both base oil and additive makeup over the years seemingly without changing specs or labeling. In the 13+ years I've had my E46 (using Mobil 1 90% of the time), I believe their formula has changed 2x.

More relevant here, BMW/Mini changing their over-the-counter oil supplier from Castrol to Shell just adds to the fact that specific products don't matter significantly as long as base specs are met.

 

[jeremybingham]

Here in the uk mine says ll04.

 

[graziamk]

New Shell Oil

Hello,

I have a 2010 (r56) Mini Cooper Hardtop and was wondering if I can buy the Shell oil used by the Dealers directly from Shell (or resellers) at a discount.

Does anyone know if Shell markets the oil sold by the Mini Cooper dealers? If so, what is the market name/brand?

Thanks!

 

[Tiger]

Hello,

I have a 2010 (r56) Mini Cooper Hardtop and was wondering if I can buy the Shell oil used by the Dealers directly from Shell (or resellers) at a discount.

Does anyone know if Shell markets the oil sold by the Mini Cooper dealers? If so, what is the market name/brand?

Thanks!

If I'm reading your question correctly...

There's no difference between that Shell oil and it's commercial counterpart i.e. it's not specifically blended or anything just for the Mini. So, yes, you can just get it off the shelf at your local... wherever you buy Shell oil. I don't know if it's any cheaper, though.

 

[Burning_rubber]

Very interesting post since I'm not an oil expert.

For my previous car my BMW/MINI dealer recommended Mobil long life oil and that's what they used for the first oil change. However for the next oil change they used Shell Helix oil and that's what they also provided me with when I asked a spare bottle of oil to keep in the car. What I noticed is that there was a small BMW logo printed on these bottle and they were sold for 29,99€. A week or so later I came accross the exact same Shell Helix oil, without a BMW logo but with a Ferrari&Fiat logo printed on the bottle, at a cheap car parts shop for only 3,99€. Same size, same specifications etc. I purchased 2 bottles to keep in my garage just in case.

Now my question for al experts out there: does oil go bad when in an unopend bottle? Does oil in that case has an expiration date?

 

[Davo56]

Oil won't degrade over time,especially in a sealed container. There is no expiry date marked on containers. I have picked up Mobil 1 to use for my first change but to be honest all the main brands are as good as each other as long as spec is as required.


As you found out its worth shopping around to beat extortionate dealer prices.

 

[Burning_rubber]

Oil won't degrade over time,especially in a sealed container. There is no expiry date marked on containers. I have picked up Mobil 1 to use for my first change but to be honest all the main brands are as good as each other as long as spec is as required.


As you found out its worth shopping around to beat extortionate dealer prices.

Thanks for the confirmation. Indeed no dates can be found on the container but I was not sure if it would stay fresh since petrol/fuel can go bad when it's old...at least so I was told.