Mini Cooper R56 oil consumption

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 12:18

Hi guys,

My sister has a 2010 Mini Cooper (non S) Mayfair with approx 70k miles that seems to get through oil at a staggering rate, maybe a litre per 800 miles or so. I have never seen anything like it and I am quite concerned.

Does anyone know if there is something that can cause this like a CCV issue or is it likely that the motor is knackered? :confused:

Thank you.

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 12:30

I know this doesn't help but my GF's 2012 Mini Cooper has never used a drop of oil between services so this doesn't sound right (By contrast, some BMW engines seem to love oil).

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 12:40

[TW]Fox;28878766 said:
I know this doesn't help but my GF's 2012 Mini Cooper has never used a drop of oil between services so this doesn't sound right (By contrast, some BMW engines seem to love oil).

Thanks Fox, that is what makes me worried. My E39 with M52 motor uses a very small amount between changes as does my parents diesel E60 and both of those have double the mileage of the mini.

I don't think the R56 has a low oil warning either and the dipstick I find fairly hard to read!

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 12:41

The dipstick on the R56 drives me insane - it is very, very difficult to determine the level and you can pretty much just about say 'Yea, there is oil in there'. For that reason I'm kinda glad I've not had to top it up...

I used to whinge about the dipstick in the 530i but that had nothing on this..

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 12:47

I am glad its not just me that struggles with it, it is a very poor design IMO.

I just hope what ever is causing the excessive oil usage isn't something catastrophic as she loves the car a lot.

Third Opinion · 29 Nov 2015 at 13:12

Girl at work has one of similar age. It was using a litre every 500-600 miles.

No visible sign of leakage or burning oil. Turned out to be a main crankshaft seal. I don't think it was a huge cost as she was having the clutch done at the same time.

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 13:28

Third Opinion said:
Girl at work has one of similar age. It was using a litre every 500-600 miles.

No visible sign of leakage or burning oil. Turned out to be a main crankshaft seal. I don't think it was a huge cost as she was having the clutch done at the same time.

Thank you for your reply, that is interesting as it does sound similar to the problem with my sisters car, no visible leak or obvious signs that it is burning the oil.

Much appreciated.

eatcustard · 29 Nov 2015 at 17:48

Most minis use oil

Upto 1L for every 1000miles

Mine is about 1L for 3K miles at the moment, my last one was 1L for 1800 miles

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 17:51

eatcustard said:
Most minis use oil

Upto 1L for every 1000miles

Nope.

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:11

eatcustard said:
Most minis use oil

Upto 1L for every 1000miles

Mine is about 1L for 3K miles at the moment, my last one was 1L for 1800 miles

Upon looking online I have seen some owners who feel that their Mini is using a lot of oil but they nearly always seem to be the S models and I have struggled to find anything for the normal Cooper.

1000 miles a litre for a car with ~4L capacity, a long oil service interval and no low oil warning seems a little crazy to me.

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:12

Exactly, the Cooper S might be oil happy but the regular Cooper is not.

I don't wish to stereotype but imagine how often the oil is checked on a typical Cooper, there'd be none left by now

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:17

[TW]Fox;28880090 said:
Exactly, the Cooper S might be oil happy but the regular Cooper is not.

I don't wish to stereotype but imagine how often the oil is checked on a typical Cooper, there'd be none left by now

Agreed, if I had not checked my sisters car she would have kept driving until the service indicator popped up or more likely with the way its drinking oil, until the engine seized!

eatcustard · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:23

[TW]Fox;28879986 said:
Nope.

go ask on a few mini forums, they will tell you different.

But I must agree The S will use more

MrMoonX · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:42

R56 has the worst dipstick ever! are you sure its low?

its normally the Cooper S pre-2010 that has oil and chain issues.

atpbx · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:45

That oil consumption is about right.

The wife's R56 litre every 1000.

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:52

MrMoonX said:
R56 has the worst dipstick ever! are you sure its low?

its normally the Cooper S pre-2010 that has oil and chain issues.

The dipstick is awful, but I am quite sure it is losing/using oil somehow but I have not seen oil leaking anywhere in the engine bay.

atpbx said:
That oil consumption is about right.

The wife's R56 litre every 1000.

Really, it cant be normal though surely? What year and mileage is your wife's R56 and is it a non S model?

Thank you all for replying so far guys, I appreciate it.

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 18:57

They sound like Cooper S...

We've had ours since 3000 miles and it's now on over 30k and it's never, ever used any oil.

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 19:13

[TW]Fox;28880259 said:
They sound like Cooper S...

We've had ours since 3000 miles and it's now on over 30k and it's never, ever used any oil.

Do you know what the oil service interval is for the Cooper, Fox?

[TW]Fox · 29 Nov 2015 at 19:14

It's variable based on driving style.

I think it uses 15k miles as a base and then goes up or down from there.

slick rick · 29 Nov 2015 at 19:17

[TW]Fox;28880322 said:
It's variable based on driving style.

I think it uses 15k miles as a base and then goes up or down from there.

So condition based service like BMW use?

There is no chance it could get even close to an interval like that! :eek: