Every new car I have ever bought, I have performed an oil change at 500 miles, and let the dealer handle all regular interval oil changes thereafter. I have always wanted to get the fresh engine shavings out ASAP. Do you think this is a good idea for the new Clubman, or even necessary?

Thanks so much,
Steve

 

very old school thinking

correct for a 'new' 1957

silly today ..... manufacturing is SO much improved.

no one who sells oil or changes is gonna tell you it is wrong

and you can't HURT anything

but save time .... go to the street and burn a $20 ...... maybe two

same impact to the car.

 

Why not leave the oil in a bit longer than 500 miles and allow things to seat properly? Leaving it in longer will not hurt it and most likely help it break in better. I would change 1st oil at 3,500 to 5,000 miles and then let Mini do it at the prescribed 10,000 mile mark. I feel your "oil pain".......I just can't sit comfortably with "break in" oil remaining in until 10,000 miles. Old school I am.

 

I'm a little superstitious and will always change at 5k after changing the oil at 1,250 brand new.
After working at a dealer for years driving cars that were off lease or traded in, there was a noticeable difference in a 2014 F56 that was done at 5k to one that was done at 10k.
That of course is anecdotal, but enough for me to always change at 5k.

 

Yeah, I know that manufacturing and oils are better, but no machining is perfect. And with the synthetic oils, I’m not so sure how much seating is actually done. I know that full synthetic oils don’t cause seals to expand the way conventional oils does.

And on a different note, I have always used a bottle of fuel injector cleaner each month. It can’t hurt, but I’m not sure how beneficial it is...