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I'm new to Columbus and hope to get out to a meet sometime soon! Someone was kind enough to place a card on my MINI in the Whole Foods lot on Sawmill. (Awww.....)
Anyway, here's my question for the forum:
I'm planning on my first oil change at ~7500 miles, which happens to be right about now. I don't have any tools to do it myself, and I'm not even sure if I could do so in an apartment complex. Ideal situation: I can do it before I log another 1000 miles next weekend.
So, are there any places in town that the good members of this board like to use? I figure a dealer could do it, but that would get pricey quickly.
I would stay far away from any Iffy Lube chain type place. That leaves you the dealer.
Or...There are two places that I would recommend trying. One is the North End Wrench & the other is Kevin's Auto Repair. If you have it changed at somewhere besides the dealer make sure you use an OEM filter. Not all aftermarket ones work well.
Might want to call this shop and see if they can help you.
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2006 MCS PW/B, 15% pulley, JCW CAI, 22mm Alta rear sway bar, first owner---www.SooperCooperinfo.com-a very complete MINI aftermarket/DIY/information library
I ended up going to Northend Wrench for the change. Definitely a good experience: nice guys who seemed to take an interest in my car.
They even took note of some noise with the sunroof that I should keep an eye on. (I later figured it's probably the plastic border for the overhead netting that rattles a bit.)
At first I was suspicious of the oil they used. I never heard of AMSoil before, and I thought they were saying Pennzoil. AMSoil isn't on MINI's list of suggested oils, but from what I can see on the forums it seems to be good quality. My impression is they only want to carry good products.
The only thing that kind of surprised me was the cost, over $100. I get the impression that's not unusual, especially if MINI offers special deals to get a $100 change at the dealership.
So, that's my feedback.
Oh, and they were willing to accommodate me for a morning oil change (I can't really drop the car off and still get to work easily). That made me happy.
I know I'm late to this thread, and this may sound like a dumb question, but why not take advantage of the free oil change service from the dealer? If your MINI only has 7500 miles on it, you have your oil changes free for 3 years or 36,000 miles at any MINI Dealership. And all MINI dealerships use oil that's recomended by MINI. I'm sure that Kevin's and North End Wrench do a great job, but I'd rather put the 100 bucks in the tank and go for a long ride.
bjl, thanks for giving some input on Amsoil. My impression is it's good stuff, and I think the guys at Northend cared well for my MINI.
JeffMINI, I'm pretty sure MINI will change the oil for free to satisfy the manufacturer's recommendations. If I remember right, this means once every 1 year / 15,000 miles. Other than that, we have to pay. For those who don't think it's a good idea for a vehicle to go 15,000 between oil changes (especially the first), we make it happen on our own. Of course, if I'm wrong on this I'm gonna feel pretty dumb.
Sartorius, who ever told you that the oil changes from MINI are only once a year or 15,000 miles is wrong. The oil change interval is what ever the car tells you it is. However, you don't want to go more than a year for your oil change. The count down clock on your car will tell you when your car needs an oil change, wheather it's 5,000 miles or 19,000 miles. It all depends on your driving habits. Of course you can change your oil every 10 miles if you like.
My manual states the 15k miles or once a year service interval .. And I had to Yell/scream /Rant and Raveto get Classic to change it YEARLY I'm a 10/12k a year driver ... There is a FORM for them to fill out to do the yearly undemileage service ...
I change at the 5K and NOT reset the counter that way mini has nothing to say
That is correct, what ever the counter says or one year which ever comes first. I'm long out of free services, but I'm also on a 5,000 mile schedule for oil changes.
Too bad you have to resort to yelling & screaming to get the work done. Down here at MAG that kind of thing is not needed.
I know that ... Classic's a 30 minute drive , MAG's 2+ hours one way...
I've been far better treated there then Classic...
I also find it TOTALLY unexceptable , If thats the Mini coverage there should be no question to change my darn oil when it's due yearly or otherwise... Luckily I'm out of warranty now so I'll change at will
