Aaaaaa............No Hood Scoop=No MCS. The hood scoop is a defining feature as well as the twin center tail pipes, and the chrome gas cap.

 

MC Vs MCS



Thanks

 

Well at least now we know why he gets >40 mpg. Now back to the dealer for some refund action lol.

 

A Yup...

 

Oh, that scoop - I found it!
It was such a "mini" scoop I completely forgot about it.
I wasn't even considering as a scoop actually. It's more like a grille. After all it's a fake anyway.



Nope, I ain't going back because MINI may ask me for a refund because I'm getting way better MPG than they advertised!

 

What are your thoughts on adding maybe 100 mL (1/3 of the can) in the engine oil?

Here's a good read on Molybdenum at bobistheoilguy. To me, it doesn't look like snake oil.

The reason I got reading in to moly is because Mazda CX-5 OEM 0W20 engine oil (which is different for SkyActiv engines) has moly in it, but it's a bit more expensive than the others. Other people's "used oil analysis" results looks pretty good too.

Will moly be bad for turbo? Good for turbo? I know most user manual will say they are against using additives, but I think that's because there are so many snake oil out there. MINI even sells fuel additive which basically looks like a Chevron Techron re-wrapped with their brand on it.

 

Updated oil service kits on first page.

 

Just did the first oil change on the Ol' Lady's 2015 Justa (3k miles).

I got the kit and filter housing socket from ECS Tuning and all went well, just like the write-up. It is a bit more involved than doing the 2010, but a little less messy because of the filter housing drain.

I was surprised how much torque was needed to get the filter housing off. It was pretty tight from the factory. Poured in just a hair less than 4.5 qts. and the electronic quantity gauge is showing the level 3/4 of the way from the Min. to the Max. after a detailed oil level check.

Computer says the next oil change is due in about another 5k miles. We'll let MINI do that one for free.

 

Thanks for the order. On congrats on the F56 First oil change.

 

Ordered my filter and special socket, waiting on delivery - Thanks ECS

I will do the first change at 1,500 miles or so and then see how the mileage piles on. I always find it enjoyable to put all of my cars on my race ramps and spend some time checking out the design cues and efforts at low drag underbody aero.

Ed

 

I will say changing the oil in these cars every 4-5k miles is a bit excessive, BUT It is awesome to see people learning the basics and working on their cars! So with that, Keep on doing it.

Also, if you are going to do this job yourself, Please, PLEASE use MINI oil, and oil filter.

 

Why use MINI oil when you can use 0W40 Mobil1 European Car Formula $26.68 5qt or 0W40 Castrol Edge $25.17 from Walmart or any other BMW-LL01 certified?

 

Is there anyway to do a top-side oil change on the F56? In other words, using a fluid extractor instead of doing a bottom drain? Since there is no dip stick I'm not sure if there is any way to feed the extractor tube to the bottom of the oil pan.

 

Thanks

 

I'm abit afraid of changing my own oil because of the old school oil filter housing. Don't really want to deal with it. Is there a risk of leaks if it's overtightened? Cracking oil filter housing etc.

 

I think this is a realistic fear for anyone. Does anyone have a torque value one might use to get the cover on tight, but not so much so that you risk cracking the plastic housing? Inquiring minds want to know?

 

thanks for the great write up! I have a new F55 with about 800 miles on it and will be doing this over the weekend.

one question I haven't seen anyone touch on; Why not fill the filter canister up with oil before putting it back on? I don't know if this is realistic since I haven't done it yet, but I am a big fan of filling the filter prior to starting the car up. Thoughts?

BTW - thanks to ECS for the great info and feedback and providing the correct parts the first time.

--Mike

 

Mcamp001 , you are welcome.

 

Changed the oil today and a couple observations;

• using ramps makes this really easy
• I now see why we can't fill the filter up with oil before putting it back on, just no possible with the design.
• there is a provision on the block for a dipstick, they should have used it
• the trap doors are perfectly placed so no, or very little oil spills on the underside
• tightening the filter housing isn't too bad, just be careful and tighten until it seats

I'm disappointed in BMW in that we can't check the oil level unless the engine is fully up to temp, this just seems ridiculous to me.

ECS - what are the copper washers for in the filter kit? I'm guessing the drain plug? I didn't see any when taking the filter off.

Thanks!

 

The copper washer is used on the drain plug. Sometimes they "stick" to the block and not on the drain plug.

 

+1 yep main drain plug and you are welcome.

 

Have anyone done ATF change on the F56? As usual, it's a lifetime fluid and I want to flush some of the OEM oil with good quality synthetic ATF.

I wonder if it's similar to the R56 since if I'm not mistaken the F56 still uses the same Aisin tranny...

 

If anyone is interested in doing oil changes themself

I got 2x Filter and Drain plug for sell.... Along with a new filter housing assembly.
PM me for more info...

 

Actually, it's not that simple. Even though my 2010 Justa (R56) has "Mini recommends Castrol" stamped on a part under the hood, and also written in my Owners Manual - that is simply not true for North American MINI owners.

For my 2010 American market R56, MINI has a short list of oils which can be used for TOPPING UP (including Castrol Syntec 0W-30 "European Formula") -- but for a complete oil change, the one-and-ONLY oil MINI recommends for my car is MINI brand oil, part number 07 51 0 143 829.

When I asked Castrol (USA), either by using their website, or by email, or by phone, I got the same answer - Castrol has NO recommendations for my MINI. That's right, I could not get anyone at Castrol to recommend ANY Castrol product for my MINI.

Things may have changed since I investigated this a few years ago, but at that time, trying to figure out what, exactly, MINI "recommends" was not-at-all straightforward.

(see my photo blog: http://garywright.smugmug.com/MotorC...ly/Oil-Crisis/)

As for weight, American market cars come from the factory with 5W-30; cars destined for the European market are filled with 0W-30. Again, this is as of 2010; not sure about older or more recent models.

 

Some added info on the statement " MINI recommends Castrol"

Recently BMW /MINI changed there world wide supplier of oil. SHELL is now their world wide supplier. So yes oil your stickers oil caps and owners manuals are out dated.

But BRAND of oil has nothing to do with it. It is specification. LL-01 is the spec. And weight is a preference. 5w30 or 0w40 in the correct specification is just fine. Hence why so many on this forum use MOBIL 1 LL-01 0w40 European blend. There are others but the Mobil 1 is easy to get at Walmart on sale for 24.00 for a 5 quart jug.

Carry on with conversation. Just adding my tidbit.

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