8 replies to this topic

[james0133]

Hi,
Which is the best oil to get for a '98 Mini Cooper 1.3MPI. I would like to put fully synthetic in but I am guessing that the regular stuff is best for these old engines?
I am also presuming, like my motorbike 10W40 is the correct weight for our climate.
Any info would be splendid.

[taffy1967]

Well if you'd done a search you'd have found 1 million and 1 similar threads.

Anyway the general consensus is to use a good quality classic 20W/50 oil, which will protect both your Minis engine and gearbox.

Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 is my favourite, others recommend the classic oil that Halfords stock which has a picture of a Mini on the front.

Either way stay clear of synthetic oil as it's bad news for the Minis baulk rings and 10W/40 isn't much cop even though Rover recommended it for years in line with all their other range of cars.

But Minis need a more suitable oil that's changed regularly.

You can buy that fancy oil from Penrite or Millers Transverse M, but with something like Duckhams you can afford to change it regularly.

[nicksuth]

I thought the MPi's Lambda Sensor didn't like 20W/50 and 10W/40 or 15W/40 was the grade to go for?

[taffy1967]

I thought the MPi's Lambda Sensor didn't like 20W/50 and 10W/40 or 15W/40 was the grade to go for?

I believe that's just a myth and I've heard of lots of Twin-Point owners who have used 20W/50 oil without any problems.

Surely fresh classic 20W/50 oil that's regularly changed is far better than manky old 10W/40 that's only changed annually as recommended by Rover towards the end?

[nicksuth]

I can't find the original thread now but someone with obvious knowledge of lubrication went to great lengths to point out that the 20W/50 (ala Duckhams etc.) had an additive in which helped reduce wear on the gearbox (baulk rings I think?) but this additive played havoc when burned through the combustion cycle with the Lambda Sensor?

Whatever oil you go for I think it's prudent to change every 2k to 3k miles anyway, small price to pay to ensure your A series is always lubricated with fresh, clean oil.

[taffy1967]

Well this is the oil specification details on the front of the Duckhams Q Classic 20W/50 tin: -

API: SF/CD, ACEA: A2/B2

I just had a can of Duckhams Q Classic delivered today as it happens and it took all of 3 days to get here and was post free from this place: -

http://www.4wheelpla...p-25000264.html

So I'm well pleased with their service.

This is the oil recommendations page from the original Mini owners handbook for my 1990 Mainstream Mini Cooper (carb model): -



It originally had a cat fitted (long since removed)

Edited by taffy1967, 18 November 2008 - 09:03 PM.

[taffy1967]

Oh and this is the Rover recommended oil on the back of my owners handbook: -



But it's never run so well since I switched to using good quality 20W/50.

[james0133]

Thanks for the reply's but now I am really confused. I recon I am going to go for 10-40W semi-synthetic. I have used Castrol quite a bit in my motorbikes so I 'll probably use it in the Mini too.
I think being winter also the heaver weight oil at low temperature could be harder to turn over from cold. I would imagine it would make your engine run a bit quieter though.

Edited by james0133, 22 November 2008 - 12:27 PM.

[taffy1967]

Well it's your choice, but I wouldn't put semi-synthetic 10W/40 in mine.