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I was at the dealer a few days ago and inquired about changing my own oil in my Clubman between scheduled changes. The rep told me that doing so would push the scheduled oil change forward. I asked how that was possible, how does the car know it had an oil change? He said the system automatically senses the viscosity of the oil, and because of this, depending upon drive style, some folks need oil changes sooner than others..
I could not find any info in other threads or my owner's manual on this statement.
+ 1 on the BS, some of these dealers are out of there minds with the S**t they tell us. one dealer told me last week I needed a coolant flush, mean while they had just installed a new radiator and fluids 8 months ago, anything for money some of them
__________________ Burn-em upus asphaltus,04 MCS Indi Blue, Auto Climate Control,Cruise,Heated Seats, Nav,JCW Carbon Fiber shift knob, Blue LED Speedo and Tach, Front and Rear Fog lights, Sports Package with DSC, M7 Air Diverter, 15% Helix Pulley, Helix CAI, Aero Grill, 17 inch Rota RBs in Hyperblack
That is total BS. You can change your own oil, just make sure it's a BMW approved oil, use an OEM filter and replace the crush ring. By using the OEM filter, they won't give you the run around. You can get everything you need from Detroit Tuned.
Since I have such low mileage, I asked my SA about the free maintenance, when I was recently getting warranty work done on my car. He told me to schedule an appointment a) based on the service indicator in my car or if I am way below the service indicator b) anytime after I hit the 1 year mark from my date of purchase. Since I bought the car in February of 2009, I will be going in for my first oil change in February 2010, since i only have 2900 miles on my car. I think I need to start driving more.
He said the system automatically senses the viscosity of the oil, and because of this, depending upon drive style, some folks need oil changes sooner than others..
I changed my oil yesterday. I have 3k miles on her. Used Penzoil Platinum 5w 30. Going for 5k mile oil intervals. Changing filter at 10k intervals.
Maint. indicator jumped from 15k miles due to 18k miles due after the first hour with the new oil. WTF!
Maybe it has a pH balance sensor or some crap like that? I dont know. Im just tellin ya what I saw.
I'm thinking coincidence in your situation. iirc, mine made its first adjust to the standard 15k once I was about the 3k mark. Probably needs a certain number of miles motored before it can analyze the data and make adjustments.
My MA said that the engine dispenses a tiny vial of its motor oil to a carrier pigeon, who picks it up in the middle of the night. The pigeon takes it to a regional "engine oil analysis" center for chemical analysis. The results of this test are then loaded into a tiny thumb drive which is dispatched, by pigeon, back to your car. This thumb drive is then plugged in to a USB port located inside the drivers side, rear, wheel well. The engine then uses the information to determine when your next service is. This is done every 2 weeks, for the life of the car.
I changed my oil yesterday. I have 3k miles on her. Used Penzoil Platinum 5w 30. Going for 5k mile oil intervals. Changing filter at 10k intervals.
You may want to flip/flop your intervals. The technology in synthetic motor oil has outpaced filter technology. New synthetic oils are capable of going much much longer than they used too before breaking down. Filters on the other hand clog up just as fast as they used to. I would change my filter once, maybe twice, before changing my oil.
Changed oil 5 times and no change in oil change interval. The only thing that is calculated by the car is how it is driven. Drive it hard all the time and you will get a shorter change interval. Drive it very conservatively and you will get a longer change interval. It is calculated by a few items such as the amount of time at full throttle, max RPM, number of starts and any over temp conditions. Mine went from 15K to 18K to 21K and then in one weekend at the track back down to 18K. Though I would never let it go that far.
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08MCCS, HC/HC/Blk, 6 SPD, Premium, Sport, Cold Weather, Convenience, HiFi, HC L/C - Steering Wheel - Shift Knob-Boot, - E Brake Handle-Boot, English Oak - 17" Web Spoke (R98) Painted H/C, H/C Club Member #42.
BS
I just had mine changed last week. My car read 6k until my next oil change. After the oil change it still read 6k, just make sure they don't reset it.
The shop that did my oil change specializes in Minis, the owner has one. He told me that synthetic oil can last up to 15k or so, but what will go before the oil is the oil filter. Even high performance oil filters are shot at 7,500 miles.
Well, I finally did the oil change today. I made ramps from 2 x 6" plank. I cut 2 different lengths: 18" and 12", then screwed the 12" on to the 18" for 2 nice wheel ramps, and a nice working area under oil pan.
After changing the oil and filter, then dropping off the old oil at the oil recycling area, I checked the oil change date and it still shows 01/2010, the same as before I changed the oil.
Today I received an email from Mini asking how my recent service went. I'll give them an earful about the line of BS I was fed.
Commenting on the dipstick: it sure is difficult to read the oil level (when the oil is clean) on the spring. I prefer a straight metal shaft, much easier to discern the level.
I do apologize for our technician's failure in reconnecting your rear wipers and also attaching the rear gasket. We pride ourselves on providing superior customer service but unfortunately, we let you down during this last visit.
I have researched the issue regarding changing your oil and have been assured that changing the oil yourself will NOT interfere with the setting in your Mini.
I hope this helps clarify this issue for you. Please let us know if we may help in any other way. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional questions or require service appointment.
Burn-em upus asphaltus ,04 MCS Indi Blue, Auto Climate Control,Cruise,Heated Seats, Nav,JCW Carbon Fiber shift knob, Blue LED Speedo and Tach, Front and Rear Fog lights, Sports Package with DSC, M7 Air Diverter, 15% Helix Pulley, Helix CAI, Aero Grill, 17 inch Rota RBs in Hyperblack
Cristo .... and his trusty BRG/BRG MC Bliksem 
