Hi all. Hoping there are some Bay Area Mini owners in the house. I recently purchased a R56 and want to get the oil done and have the car checked for maintenance. I'd love to do the oil myself but my currently living situation does not have enough room to allow me to do it.

Can anyone suggest a good shop in the city for maintenance on MINI's in particular? I would take the car to a friends shop and have the oil swapped, however I know that MINI's maintenance operates on a check up type basis so I'd like to take the car to someone who regularly works on MINI's.
Second question is the car is at 54k anything besides oil/ filter I should be expecting? Cabin filter maybe?
And lastly what would a good synthetic oil change cost?

Thanks everyone.

 

Not in the City, but Bay Bridge Motors in Oakland is one of the best MINI specialists in the Bay Area.

Depending on the year of your car, I would check the condition of the timing chain tensioner, or if it had the recall done for it. The second gen cars get a lot of carbon buildup on them so it might need the valves cleaned.

Sometimes the MINI of SF runs synthetic oil change specials for $69. You just have to avoid the upselling of other services.

 

Thanks a lot for the quick reply RB-MINI It's a 2011 MINI Cooper S 6spd. I'll have to check if MINI SF has any deals going right now, if not maybe I'll voyage out to Bay Bridge Motors. Any other advice for a new owner?

 

There's lot of good info on the forum to catch up on. The timing chain issue, carbon build up, and hood scoop warping are the only things I remember, but I'm not too sure about other 2nd gen issues since I have a 1st gen car. I think 2011 is around the time the R56's got new motors, so you might not have the issue with the timing chain. Other members more familiar with the 2nd gen motors will be able to help with the differences in N14 vs N18 motors, and which motor your car has.

FYI, MINI of SF is having their annual rally on 8/28 down to Pescadero.

 

2011 S's have the N18 motor but IIRC it still might have the timing chain issues, just with much lower frequency. It largely depends on keeping the oil level up to spec.

I haven't gotten a dealer oil change in a while but I brought a jug of the Mobil 1 0W40 to MINI of St. Louis and they changed the oil for 1/2 hr labor, ~$60. If you use their oil and filter I'd guess it would be around $80 or more. And you mention the car is on a timed schedule that is true but you can reset the oil change timer yourself, a dealer does not have to do that.

At 54k it really depends on the condition. Might need brake rotors and pads if they've never been changed out. Check the intake air filter and cabin air filter, they're cheap to replace. Spark plugs are due at 60k intervals. I think those plus oil change are what I'd start out with.

 

Usually the N18 dealer oil changes I've seen are $69.95. No other shop is going to beat that price as MINI wants you to come to them so it is a low profit or loss leader deal. Anyone however can change that oil and filter and reset the counter. They are also going to check your car looking for things to fix, which you can ignore and go elsewhere to save money. If it turned out for example that you needed a new high pressure fuel pump, they are going to cover that cost usually under an extended warranty.

 

If you would like to take a drive up to the Gold Country, my Mini expert is
Ryan Gangemi Motorworks @ 530-305-2499

 

Appreciate the responses guys. I think I am going to try and get the car into the MINI dealership here soon, and you were right they were asking $69.95. Any other advice for a new MINI owner?

 

Take the car to Page Mill rd down near mountain view heading into the foothills, you won't regret it Just be careful for bicyclists around blind curves.

Check the oil level regularly, change oil every 5k miles and take it up to redline every once in a while. Just enjoy the car!

 

Hi Bay Area Mini!

Congrats on your new purchase, and we would love to see some pix. Here is a list of shops you can use in the Bay Area.

http://new.minimania.com/article/319...ners_and_Shops

We have numerous application and upgrade guides available. The service and maintenance guide on our site lists the following for your generation MINI:

ENGINE OIL SERVICE
(Interval based on the CBS prompt by your on-board computer.)

Change the Engine Oil and Oil Filter
Check and Adjust tire pressures if necessary
Check Parking Brake operation
Top off Washer Fluid
Check Cabin Filter
- Replace every other oil change (normal driving)
- Replace once every two years (low-mileage driving)

* We at Mini Mania recommend more frequent oil changes, especially with the Turbocharged Mini Cooper S models.
** Consider adding a Magnetic Engine Drain Plug for added insurance - your Mini's transmission has a magnet inside to trap loose metallic debris, no reason the engine shouldn't have a magnet as well.


BRAKE SERVICE
(Interval based on the CBS prompt by your on-board computer.)

Replace Front Brake Pads and Brake Rotors
Replace Rear Brake Pads and Brake Rotors
Replace Brake Fluid (every two years)

* For visual inspection - when the thickness of the pad material becomes about the same as the thickness of the metal backing, it is time to consider replacing pads.
** MINI recommends replacing brake rotors when replacing brake pads.


ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Every 30,000 miles
Replace Spark Plugs: JCW models only

Every 45,000 miles
Replace Engine Air Filter (reduce change interval in dusty conditions)

Every 60,000 miles
Replace Spark Plugs (except JCW models):
- N14 engines - 2007-2010 Mini Cooper S models
- N16 engines - 2011+ Mini Cooper non-S models
- N18 engines - 2011+ Mini Cooper S models

Please let us know if you have any questions, we've been working with the brand for over 40 years on the street and track!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.