synthetic oil vs. regular oil
 

Just purchased a 2006 mini cooper!!!

Love it.

Replaced the plugs
Oil and filter was done.

On the engine it states synthetic oil recommended
I have no idea if this was done by the previous owners.

Is it ok to run 5w/30 regular oil ?

I change it on my other cars every 3000.

appreciate your help

That recommendation came from the factory. MINI is part of the new generation of cars that have a sensor and counter alerting you to oil changes. The counter recommends oil changes every 15000 miles, hence the synthetic oil recommendation. I use synthetic, have since day one, in my R53. I change my oil every 7500 miles though. Not a problem in 13 years

Which synthetic oil do you use?

Use Castrol Edge. I also change it every 6-7000 miles. If you want, go longer. Yea, it's pricey.