22 replies to this topic

[woody1964]

I have been insecure about the use of fully synthetic oils in Minis.
It is said -and this corresponds to my perhaps erroneous impression -
that synthetic oils tend to leak more .

Keith Calver in Minimag June 09 adds to the confusion by being ambiguous and subtly suggesting the use of
Torco oils - but which?

[mini mayhem]

i have fully synthetic oil. mines just been rebuilt and only had a small run.. just a small dribble leaking from gear linkage. doubts its the oil tho.. minis leak any way

[shorty]

i was under the impression that it was mineral only

[mike.]

The only reason you'd need to use sythetic oil would be in racing, when your hitting constant high RPM's and need maximum protection with minimal friction...

It may be ok for the engine but what about the gearbox? In almost every modern engine, the engine will use a completly different oil to the gearbox, as they are seperated components. Where as the mini/A series uses the same oil for both.

[mymini007]

I use the halfords "for classic engines" oil all good so far and for £16 for 5 ltr not to expensive either.

[Pauly]

Synthetic is not healthy for a-series engines as they share the sump and gearbox (so use the same oil as the engine) also you tend to get a lot more oil leaks over time because the oils so thin.

20w50 mineral is what I suggest (I use Halfords).

Paul.

[Nelson92]

my mayfair seems to leak less with mineral. and that halfords classic stuff is very good value for money.

[Shylos]

I think the Mini oil debate will outlive most Minis!

[JordanRaisbeck]

I use the classic halfords oil too, never had any problems with it yet, and as mentioned its quite cheap for 5 ltrs.

[Rosslin Racing]

he cant use Halfords we dont have one here, Woody64 you might remember that l have 60ltrs of 20/50 just for minis

[old original]

ERAs came with the recommendation that fully syth. oil should be used, originally Castrol Syntron X. When that disappeared I switched to Castrol RS (lovely smell!!(if you've got that sort of burning oil smell fetish)) This is now branded as Castrol Edge Sport 10/40

Bearing in mind that this oil has the engine, gearbox and turbo to feed so oil changes have to be carried out religiously 6,000/6 monthly and I think that is the key. No matter what you use.. change it regularly

[rod998]

Hey, was looking into the different kinds of oil i can use for my mini so searched for the halfords 'classic' car oil.
I have never been a big fan of 'halfrauds' cause they are well over priced in my opinion...
anyway...i found this in the 'moneyexpert' site : http://forums.moneys...d.html?t=265946

' We recently bought a 27 year old Land Rover which runs fine but is certainly not a fine tuned automobile. Consequentially we are not going to spend £10 a litre on Mobil 1 so we just want the cheap 20/50 basic engine oil.

Popped into Halfords where the only 20/50 oil they had was called 'Classic Car' oil and was very nicely packed in an old style metal can and was priced at £13 for 5 litres!!!

Anyway, went into Wilko's and they have 20/50 for £3.25 for 4.5 litres

Halfords the rip-off merchants are charging nearly 4 times the price just so you can have it in a nice tin. '

Just thought i would share what i found...as i thought, 'halfrauds' are over charging again!

[redhotmini]

halfords clasic car oil comes from a reputable oil company. where that wilko's stuff comes from ive no idea but for that price its not bad as long as its changed regularly. personally i wouldnt use it, i would go for something like valvoline (only because i get it for £11 a can rather than the £18+ retail price), and i dont see the point in mega expensive fully synthetic oil - i think mobil one is a 'placebo' oil, its good because people think it is

Edited by redhotmini, 29 June 2009 - 06:27 PM.

[WiredbyWilson]

Just be aware that the Wilko special may well be recycled oil - and therefore not worth the £3.25 price tag.

I used to use Halfordsstuff until i went in there and the "helper" said they didnt stock it anymore as the mini was too old, so now i go to the local motor factors and pay £16 for something in a very similar tin - just cant remember the name!!

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

Are you sure that it's the same quality of oil, as from my readings the halford 20w50 oil has alot of very benifical addatives; That many cheaper mineral oils dont .

I always stick with millers 20w50 classic mini oil as the increased amount of zinc in the mixture quiets down the gearbox and runs very smoothy on it .

If u go on http://www.opieoils....661-20w-50.aspx you can order sikoline 20w50 classic oil which is good
theres gulf 20w50 too

lots of choice and they deliver so your sorted in the usa

they also do purator filters which are apparently 10% better than OEM filters