So in my old car, a Buick Rendezvous. It never made sense to change oil myself because it was as expensive to change it myself as it was to have it changed at fastlube. However, for a Mini. many places won't change it so you are usually stuck with a dealer. That is expensive. So i went to the auto parts store got oil and a filter. And my roommate and I changed it. It was fun. I will work on my car myself more now. We have the tools to do so, so why not. i am planning on changing my oil every 3 months or so. Or 3k miles. Also thinking of an air filter replacement. maybe a cold air or a JCW air filter. Any tips on that?

 

First of all, congrats on the oil change.
Second, noticed you said you'll change it every 3 months.
You did use full synthetic oil didn't you? Like Mobil 1 0/40w europeon formula, or Castrol 5/30w edge.

You can run the oil every 7500 miles, no need to use 3 month figures.
I don't believe time frame means much.

As far as air filters, you can keep the stock one and just replace the element. There are cheaper ones out there or you can spend up to $70 or so for one. Google search 'air filters for mini coopers'. Those I'd change about every 25K or sooner if they are dirty.

You can invest in a cold air intake system but it's not necessary, save your money on oil/filter changes.

Oh, be sure to check your oil level frequently between oil/filter changes. Like twice a week. Also, the radiator coolant bottle.

 

Ya i used full synthetic It was the Castrol. I might get a new dipstick cause i hate the one that stock one. It is harder to read than a math text book.

 

I agree with drsimmons. No need to change it every 3k...you'd be wasting a lot of money and good oil. I change mine about every 7k and even that could be argued to be too early. Good to see you're doing it yourself though! When I was in for service one time MINI quoted me $230 for an oil change. I think I actually laughed out loud on the phone before politely telling them I would do it myself 8-)

 

Really, $230.00 for an oil change, I will learn to change my oil on my own before I pay that kind of money.

 

I've tried reading the dipstick both at op. temps and after car has sat overnight. If you are having trouble reading it, try wiping it off a couple times and the last time lay it on a paper towel. You can see where the oil is between the 2 bubbles.

I like pulling the stick out overnight and letting all oil drain to pan. Then in the morning check it. You can only stick the stick in once and pull it out to read it for the best visual. Reason is, each time you stick it in all the way and pull it out, the head of it pulls oil up into the guide tube which smears oil all over the stick again. (Good thing we're talking about oil and dipsticks) haha.

There are no replacement sticks at this time. Cravenspeed is working on one for 2nd gen Minis but at $75, I don't know. Plus I think you'll still have the 'hard to read' issue.

 

Wow, $230 for an oil change? I just had mine changed at the local dealer for $71 and I thought that was high. I actually priced it out though. I have a mechanic I've used for years for stuff I can't do myself, and he said that if I brought in the oil and filter he'd do it for $20. However, adding all that up get's me within $10 of the dealer price. Might as well just take it in there and get it in their records, and have a nicer waiting room with free coffee.

I'd change it myself, but my warranty requires it to be done by an ASC certified mechanic, which I'm not.

 

Doesn't that process go against the general model of running the engine for a while, shutting it off for 10-15 minutes, then checking it?

 

Personally I've tried it both ways and it always seems to read the same either way I try.
The overnight way, you can clearly see where the oil is on the stick.
So, I do it both ways.
There's probably about 15 different methods out here but I think the bottom line is.....check it check it check it.

 

why don't we all agree that our dipstick sucks because oil gets up way past the fill mark due to whatever reasons so it is basically useless to read. The best option is wipe it off a few times then stick it in, but even then it might be hard to read. Anyways. I recommend doing it yourself. It is fairly simple except for the oil filter. It is kind of in a awkward spot.

 

Oil filter is not bad if you remove the radiator coolant bottle. Just remove the one screw and position it out of the way. I usually wrap a bungie cord around it.

 

well ya you have to do that to get to it, but in most other cars it is easy access. And i am always worried i will break something that way. Stupid plastics.

 

Just because it mounts on the outside of the engine and you don't have to remove anything doesn't mean it's easy access. Honda's can be a huge pain in the rear to actually snake your arm in there and forget having actual room to use a tool to turn it.

Plus, I'd rather get to a Mini Cooper S oil filter than ever have to change the battery in my wife's grandmother's Chevy. Remove crossbar, remove airbox so you can remove the coolant overflow tank so you can finally get to the battery. Battery's are supposed to be easy! Especially in a car with a huge engine bay!

 

Ya, I don't think the Mini is too bad compared to alot of others I've done as well. Let's face though, auto manufacturers don't make things easy for the after work that has to be done. Gotta love all the special tools needed for certain jobs and autos.

 

I bought my Mini Convertible in April of 2011. I have about 9500 miles on it. I called the dealer today to schedule an oil change. They said wait until 15,000 miles or until I've owned the car for 1 year. Does that sound right? Also, I had my tires rotated at 5,000. When should I rotate them again? Dealer charges $90 to rotate and balance...

Thanks

 

Does anyone know if the Dealers use any type of special tool to remove the oil plug? If the oils hot, theres no way of not getting burned , after the plug is removed.

 

Wait until the car cools down. It's just a hex bolt and it's definitely messy. My wrench and hands usually get pretty oily taking it out. Just wait until the oil cools down. I usually try to change the oil in the morning before I have to take the car anywhere. In this way, the car is cool and I have no chance of burning myself.

 

15K is toooo long even with the long life oil used. Go with 7500 mile intervals. Also, rotate tires every 5K (fronts to back, back to front). Any tire place will rotate them a whole lot cheaper than $90.

 

15k is fine with the appropriate oil unless your use is severe duty. But change at 1 year if you don't do that many miles in a year.

 

Grats on your first successful work on your MINI. I find that the more I work on mine the more I get to know it and become more attached.

 

I'm a little confused here. I thought the first three years of service were free?

 

They are but if you want changes before the Mini required 15K mark you have to pay for those.

 

Whoever told you this was not being truthful, there is no such requirement.

It's certainly always a good idea to have qualified people working on your car if you aren't, but there is no warranty requirement, especially for an oil change although you do want to keep records and recp'ts in case you need to prove it was done and when.

A lot of people - my self included - change the oil twice a year or every 7,500 - which in my case worked out to me changing it once and the dealer doing it the second time under the 3/36 maintenance program. Doing it that way the oil in my car stays really clean and if you peek into the oil filler cap hole, it's as clean as new on top of the head. I take that as a good sign!

Now that I'm past the 3/36 period I'm doing the twice yearly changes myself, and the dealer has no problem with my warranty coverage.

 

This is an aftermarket warranty that I have, not the Mini one. Basically have to prove a shop did all the work required of the manufacturer. I can do the in between changes but the required ones have to be done at a shop.

 

That'll work, as long as it's done at 7500 and not every 15K.
You'll be good.