hey guys.

so i've had my MC for about a year now... and i have yet to get my first oil service.

but here's the thing... i've been bouncing all around the country all summer. and aside from the major pain in the rear it seems to be to get a service appointment at Tate... between their faux-website signup sheet (i wouldn't recommend that. they seem to either ignore it, or not know how to use it... ) and someone being in when i call... i need to take another road trip soon, and i don't have the time to wait another month to get serviced.

so. now that i've made all my excuses... the point is... has anyone gone to, say, a neighborhood service station for this? is it that bad of an idea? and if ya have, any recommendations?

 

You would definately want to call your local service station to see if they carry the filter for it. It is a very different filter, not sure any other vehicles are using it.

The next question is can the computer be reset to display the correct mileage to next change? I dunno?

 

I've done this twice now and haven't had a problem at all. IN fact, if you do a search on NAM for Odometer reset or something, there's actually someone that tells you how to reset the milage to your next service change.

The last time I went, they had to call for the filter, but it only took about 15 minutes, and another 15 or maybe less to change it. It cost about $20. The little sticker they put up as a reminder says that the next oil service should be Oct 1 or 61500-something and I'm already at 61600-something I'd say find a station that you're comfortable with and go for it.

 

Go to John Behe at Glenelg Service Center in Glenwood MD. 410-489-0230. He stocks all MINI oil/parts needed and is a dedicated MINI owner/DCMM member himself. His rates are very reasonable and he works fast. I take my MC to him for oil changes in between the dealer covered ones.

 

You are not stuck going to Tate for the included service. I bought mine at Tate, but go to MINI of Towson for service ((410) 296-6464). From where I live, they are about equal distant for me.

I'm pretty sure that the included (AKA free) maintenance is also at the one-year mark as well as for mileage. If you are at or past 12 months, call that "ask MINI" phone number to find out. I sent them an email and will post back if they respond and I was wrong about the time trigger.

 

yeah, i know i'm not suck going to tate... and there's really no way i'm ever going there again... but it is the closest. and that's where i began my service acquiring endeavor.


thanks for all the tips. i went ahead and picked up the oil filter i need, and i'll take it with me just in case. if i had more time, i'd check out that guy up in glenwood.

 

So here is the response to the question I posed Ask MINI regarding annual oil changes versus waiting for the service indicator. What is not perfectly clear to me is whether "recommended" means it is free or not. My suspicion is that it is not free.



Thanks for contacting MINI. Good question. The Service Interval Indicator calculated from the miles driven and driving style. However, regardless of the SII, we recommend an oil service annually.

If there are further questions I can assist with, please feel free to drop me an e-mail. I will be happy to lend a hand.

LETS MOTOR. ™

Amanda Cordell

MINI Customer Relations and Services

Representative

866.ASK.MINI (275-6464)