R60 How to: Change Mini Countryman Oil Video
Thanks for the video! I changed my oil yesterday after watching it. A couple comments:
1) I don't understand the super-extension. I was able to get at it with just a 6" extension pretty easily.
2) Gloves! I used to change my oil in high school/college, but swore never to do it again because of how messy it is. It was still messy, but wearing gloves made it a much better experience. It wouldn't have occurred to me to wear latex gloves if I hadn't watched your video.
Thanks again.
1) I don't understand the super-extension. I was able to get at it with just a 6" extension pretty easily.
2) Gloves! I used to change my oil in high school/college, but swore never to do it again because of how messy it is. It was still messy, but wearing gloves made it a much better experience. It wouldn't have occurred to me to wear latex gloves if I hadn't watched your video.
Thanks again.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 5
From: north/central New Jersey
To echo the advice given, I'd stay away from Jiffy Lube type places. Find a good independent shop or DIY. If you need help finding a good shop, find a MINI club local to you and ask there. Your fellow MINI owners will be glad to help. You can also check at soopercooperinfo.com for a list of independent MINI shops in your area..
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 638
Likes: 1
From: Redding, CA 96001
Thank you for the fast reply. I do not use the car daily, it is a weekend/road trip car that I put about 7k miles a year on (unless I stop taking public transport to work and need to use it as a work car, but I don't see that happening at the moment). Since, I put such low mileage on it, I've bought it outright, and plan on keeping it past the point that the scheduled maintenance is free. I have 5100 miles on it now, and have not changed the oil yet, although I've added 1 quart to top it off since I took delivery in October 2011. .... What do you suggest?
4th Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 441
Likes: 22
From: Northern VA
First of all, THANKS for your video! Very clear instructions and damn informative.
But WOW, that's more of a production than I expected... Here I was hoping the cartridge would be closer to the topside or more accessible from beneath... I've changed the oil on my own for several of my previous vehicles and this is by far the most difficult of the bunch!
But WOW, that's more of a production than I expected... Here I was hoping the cartridge would be closer to the topside or more accessible from beneath... I've changed the oil on my own for several of my previous vehicles and this is by far the most difficult of the bunch!
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
First of all, THANKS for your video! Very clear instructions and damn informative.
But WOW, that's more of a production than I expected... Here I was hoping the cartridge would be closer to the topside or more accessible from beneath... I've changed the oil on my own for several of my previous vehicles and this is by far the most difficult of the bunch!
But WOW, that's more of a production than I expected... Here I was hoping the cartridge would be closer to the topside or more accessible from beneath... I've changed the oil on my own for several of my previous vehicles and this is by far the most difficult of the bunch!
I really do appreciate the feedback! I hope it helps you complete your oil change without difficulty and too much cost.
If you have any questions going into it I will be more than happy to help.
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
Cool! Glad the video helped.
How did you get to the filter housing with just a 6" extension and still get rotation? Pics or it didn't happen. 
1) I don't understand the super-extension. I was able to get at it with just a 6" extension pretty easily.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 486
Likes: 18
From: DC Metro
I think I used an 8" extension and it was fine.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1080731...MTRsJ-KoMqosAE
https://picasaweb.google.com/1080731...MTRsJ-KoMqosAE
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4th Gear
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Orange County, CA
Good info on BMW approved oil
I'm posting this info from another thread since it's related.
the significant rating for the oil is the bmw/mini LL-01 rating, the only mobil1 that carries the LL-01 rating is 0W40, the Mobi1 5W30 is not LL-01 rated oil
reread the oil spec again, here it is from the bmw web site, or you can go here on the mini site: http://www.miniusa.com/faq.jsp?categ.../maintenance-m
Required maintenance work or services should be performed for your vehicle by your authorized BMW center.
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is recommended for scheduled engine oil changes.
Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on the climatic conditions in the region in which you normally drive your BMW.
To best determine which SAE grade is best suited for your vehicle, contact an authorized BMW center.
The following is the only recommended and approved synthetic oil for BMW M (Motorsport) vehicles in the US market with gasoline engines, at the present time.
Use only oils with an API rating of SJ/CF, SK/CF or higher.
The following is a listing of synthetic oils recommended and approved for use in the BMW B7 ALPINA in the US market:
reread the oil spec again, here it is from the bmw web site, or you can go here on the mini site: http://www.miniusa.com/faq.jsp?categ.../maintenance-m
Required maintenance work or services should be performed for your vehicle by your authorized BMW center.
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is recommended for scheduled engine oil changes.
BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil* (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)
* Does not apply to M vehicles - see below
BMW recommends that you check your engine oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle.
If you need to add oil between oil changes and BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is unavailable, you may top up the oil level with one of the following approved synthetic oils. For information on checking your engine oil level refer to your vehicle's Owner's Manual.
The oils listed below meet BMW's Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines.
BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:
* Does not apply to M vehicles - see below
BMW recommends that you check your engine oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle.
If you need to add oil between oil changes and BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is unavailable, you may top up the oil level with one of the following approved synthetic oils. For information on checking your engine oil level refer to your vehicle's Owner's Manual.
The oils listed below meet BMW's Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines.
BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:
- Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
- Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
- Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
- Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30
Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.
The choice of the right SAE grade is based on the climatic conditions in the region in which you normally drive your BMW.
To best determine which SAE grade is best suited for your vehicle, contact an authorized BMW center.
The following is the only recommended and approved synthetic oil for BMW M (Motorsport) vehicles in the US market with gasoline engines, at the present time.
BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Synthetic Oils for BMW M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines:
- Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil
- Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 009 420)
If Castrol High Performance Synthetic Oil is not available and you need to add oil between oil changes, only use synthetic oils with the following specifications for M vehicles:
- Viscosity - preferred SAE 10W-60
- Alternative - SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or SAE 10W-50
Use only oils with an API rating of SJ/CF, SK/CF or higher.
The following is a listing of synthetic oils recommended and approved for use in the BMW B7 ALPINA in the US market:
- BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)
- Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Oil
It bumped the air hose on the right a bit, but was otherwise okay. I might try it without the U-joint next time, since it felt pretty close to a straight shot. Could be wrong on that one, though.
Great video. 
27mm socket and a longer extension fits good, I have seen a swivel on a two shorts work also. Watch when you tilt the expansion tank out of the way , you can tweak the tank connection a certain angle and get a couple drip of coolant.
We have the oil change kits here and filters. MINI has new Oil Now under Shell Euro ( black /green bottle) , meets MINI / BMW LL-01 . Factory Castrol Euro is nla.
Also carry the Euro Mobile 1 0w-40 in a kit if you dont have it locally.
Mann / Mahle are good ones , the factory ones are Purflux for the Gen 2 . We have the kits below which includes New Oil, drain plug , filter kit, and crush washer.
Gen 2 MINI Cooper 2007+ R56 R55 R57 R58 R59 & R60 R61 ( Oil filter housing on the driver side front of the engine )
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2497576__ES2581327__ES2581338__ES2582017/
You will need to get the socket for the oil change:
27mm, 6-Point Socket, 1/2" Drive
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES240947/
Filters only: Mann and Mahle don't come with the crush washer by themselves so you will need the washer x 1.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11427622446/
Crush washer: 11137546275
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11137546275/
27mm socket and a longer extension fits good, I have seen a swivel on a two shorts work also. Watch when you tilt the expansion tank out of the way , you can tweak the tank connection a certain angle and get a couple drip of coolant.
We have the oil change kits here and filters. MINI has new Oil Now under Shell Euro ( black /green bottle) , meets MINI / BMW LL-01 . Factory Castrol Euro is nla.
Also carry the Euro Mobile 1 0w-40 in a kit if you dont have it locally.
Mann / Mahle are good ones , the factory ones are Purflux for the Gen 2 . We have the kits below which includes New Oil, drain plug , filter kit, and crush washer.
Gen 2 MINI Cooper 2007+ R56 R55 R57 R58 R59 & R60 R61 ( Oil filter housing on the driver side front of the engine )
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2497576__ES2581327__ES2581338__ES2582017/
You will need to get the socket for the oil change:
27mm, 6-Point Socket, 1/2" Drive
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES240947/
Filters only: Mann and Mahle don't come with the crush washer by themselves so you will need the washer x 1.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11427622446/
Crush washer: 11137546275
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/11137546275/
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
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