How To Maintenance :: Cooper S Oil Change (with pics!)
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 661
Likes: 24
From: Port Orchard, WA.
I just called my dealership. They can change to oil for $86.00 (max) while I wait as long as I make an appointment 2 weeks in advance (I am a working stiff and this is due to a limited schedule for Saturday service). Since the car is still under warranty, I feel this is a good price. I will need to buy a socket and a torx bit to do it myself which I will eventually once the car out of warranty. If I buy a kit (oil and filter included), I am at $57.00 roughly plus shipping. I could go to the dealership and buy the oil and filter for more, but I still feel letting the dealership do it and not void the warranty is money well spent. As most have said, whatever makes you feel comfortable.
As a note to everyone. I am just getting ready to sell a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 230K miles on it. It has a 4.0L 6 cylinder. I ran Mobile 1 in it since the first oil change. Last year I had to put a timing chain in it due to some spark knock and lose of some power going up hills. I aslo decided to replace the oil pump with a hi-volume unit and change the rear main seal. The rear main bearing looked like it had very little wear. The cam shaft lobes were in real good shape. I could also wipe out the oil pan with a paper towel. More than once I ran this engine over 15K mile between oil changes. Granted many of the miles were highway miles, but the engine did not suffer. It truly made me a believer in synthetic oils.
As a note to everyone. I am just getting ready to sell a 2000 Jeep Wrangler with 230K miles on it. It has a 4.0L 6 cylinder. I ran Mobile 1 in it since the first oil change. Last year I had to put a timing chain in it due to some spark knock and lose of some power going up hills. I aslo decided to replace the oil pump with a hi-volume unit and change the rear main seal. The rear main bearing looked like it had very little wear. The cam shaft lobes were in real good shape. I could also wipe out the oil pan with a paper towel. More than once I ran this engine over 15K mile between oil changes. Granted many of the miles were highway miles, but the engine did not suffer. It truly made me a believer in synthetic oils.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 1
Hello all,
I am presently doing an oil change, and have repositioned the coolant tank, and can see the same green tube (with white tip) that is present in the pic above on the far left. I don't see anywhere on the side of the coolant tank that would connect with it upon reassembly, that is correct, right? Or am I missing something?
Weird that that is there......
I am presently doing an oil change, and have repositioned the coolant tank, and can see the same green tube (with white tip) that is present in the pic above on the far left. I don't see anywhere on the side of the coolant tank that would connect with it upon reassembly, that is correct, right? Or am I missing something?
Weird that that is there......
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 1
From: Danville
I don't remember disconnecting anything on the coolant tank. only thing i did was the move it out of the way.
I just checked my car in the garage and that green tube is not connected to anything. the coolant tank just had a circular tab that goes into the rubber grommet that is shown in the picture. it's a little bit above the green tube and to the left in the picture.
I just checked my car in the garage and that green tube is not connected to anything. the coolant tank just had a circular tab that goes into the rubber grommet that is shown in the picture. it's a little bit above the green tube and to the left in the picture.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 5
From: Florida, South Gulf Coast
Great Thread!!! 
Needs mentioned that for 'just-A-Cooper' (non- 'S' version) that you do not even need to touch the coolant reservoir tank
(as long as you have a 'short' 27mm socket).
Also, that transmission drain plug that is seen in beginning photo spread, is only for the Manual Transmission.
Automatic Transmission drain plug looks even more like oil drain plug (also on horizontal surface) and if drained by mistake,
needs MINI Dealer Service Department to re-fill (flatbed tow truck time).
Needs mentioned that for 'just-A-Cooper' (non- 'S' version) that you do not even need to touch the coolant reservoir tank
(as long as you have a 'short' 27mm socket).
Also, that transmission drain plug that is seen in beginning photo spread, is only for the Manual Transmission.
Automatic Transmission drain plug looks even more like oil drain plug (also on horizontal surface) and if drained by mistake,
needs MINI Dealer Service Department to re-fill (flatbed tow truck time).
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
not sure if it's been said already, (i've only read about the 1st 8 pages of this thread).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
Last edited by eR1c; Jul 23, 2009 at 08:30 AM.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
...and here is the Mini recommended oil for $6.29 per quart.
https://dartauto.com/parts/show/Mini/2006/R52/Z2/9521#
https://dartauto.com/parts/show/Mini/2006/R52/Z2/9521#
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
thanks, ...
so what do you guys think? I have already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30. Should I take it back and get the OEM MINI oil? Or just use the Mobil 1 for the next 5,000 then switch to OEM for all future oil??
so what do you guys think? I have already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30. Should I take it back and get the OEM MINI oil? Or just use the Mobil 1 for the next 5,000 then switch to OEM for all future oil??
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
yeah, going to take it back and exchange ..
yet this is the email I got back from MiniUSA:
----
Hi Eric,
Thanks for writing MINI. I appreciate your inquiry.
If MINI oil is not available, you can add small quantities of other synthetic oils between oil changes. Use only oils with the API SM specification or higher. Other than the OEM oil, we recommend using Castrol High Performance Fully-Synthetic Oil, 5W-30.
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.
----
yet this is the email I got back from MiniUSA:
----
Hi Eric,
Thanks for writing MINI. I appreciate your inquiry.
If MINI oil is not available, you can add small quantities of other synthetic oils between oil changes. Use only oils with the API SM specification or higher. Other than the OEM oil, we recommend using Castrol High Performance Fully-Synthetic Oil, 5W-30.
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.
----
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
not sure if it's been said already, (i've only read about the 1st 8 pages of this thread).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
Thanks,
yup, already placed an order for the OEM Mini 5w30 oil (from Dart Auto).
Already have an OEM Mini/BMW filter (actually ordered 2).
taking back the Mobil (to Kragen's) ...as it's questionable for our cars.
yup, already placed an order for the OEM Mini 5w30 oil (from Dart Auto).
Already have an OEM Mini/BMW filter (actually ordered 2).
taking back the Mobil (to Kragen's) ...as it's questionable for our cars.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
not sure if it's been said already, (i've only read about the 1st 8 pages of this thread).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
on the Miniusa.com website it lists which oils to use:
http://www.miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/maintenance-m
I already purchased 5 qts of Mobil 1 full synthetic 5w30 ...yet haven't changed my oil. Wondering if I should bring the mobil oil back and order the MINI OEM oil instead?
-mobil 1 5w30 is not listed, instead they recommend mobil 1 0w40 (as well as some other european spec oils).
Certain Grade of Castrol Syntech meet SM or higher and AC3
http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp...syntec_usa.pdf
Castrol Edge 5w-30 which is supposed to be Castrol best says nothing about AC3 but it meets and exceeds Mini's SM requirement.
Mobil 1 5w-30 does not have the AC3 designation but the Mobil 1 0w-40 does. Both meet the SM designation.
Mobil 1 0w-40 spec sheet:
http://www.mobil.com/USA-English/Lub...il_1_0W-40.asp
So it seems that Castrol Syntech or Edge 5w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 are the oils that would work the best.
So off I go to the dealer to buy a oil filter and I asked them... beside the Mini branded oil what could I use. They said they do not even use the Mini oil and they use Castrol Synth 5w-30 but off the record one of the guys said Mobil 1 0w-40 in Florida would be his choice.
I have been using Mobil 1 products in my race boats and Porsche's for years with out a single glitch. I will be useing Mobil 1 0w-40 in the Mini Cooper S.
Last edited by mdrums; Jul 23, 2009 at 04:21 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
OK...I looked in my 2009 Cooper S owners manual again today and it says nothing about a AC3 oil. It only states to use a high performance Synthetic oil with the SM designation or higher with the follwoing grades: 0w-40 0w-30 5w-40 5w-30. The sticker on the engine says the factory full is 5w-30.
It is the UK manual that mentions ACEA A3 (not AC3). Most Americans have never heard of ACEA ratings because it is a European standard. The USA manual uses the much less specific API rating system. So, when talking about topping up the oil, the manual says "small quantities" of SM.
Also note the oils MINIUSA lists:
They all meet ACEA A3. You can also look for BMW LL-01.
Castrol Edge 5w-30 which is supposed to be Castrol best says nothing about AC3 but it meets and exceeds Mini's SM requirement.
The 5W-30 is for VW's and Audi's. It doesn't meet BMW LL-01 or A3.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
Seems like what type of oil to use is an ongoing debate. To play it save I am going w/ the Mini OEM oil (already ordered 2 days ago). If there was a definitive oil that was best for our Mini's I'd get it in a heartbeat, yet until I know what that oil is I am just going to use the Mini OEM oil.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
Yes, or switch to Castrol Edge 0W-30. It meets BMW LL-01 and ACEA A3 standards. The 5W-30 doesn't.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 942
Likes: 0
From: Nor-Cal
My Porsche has magnesium valve covers, -I use Mobil oil (it's what is recommened for that car). I'd guess that a lot of these oils will work the same in our cars. I recommend the OEM though -just for peace of mind! 
Funny though, -Mini dealers don't even use the OEM oil!!!
Funny though, -Mini dealers don't even use the OEM oil!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,578
Likes: 4
From: Paradise
What do they use?
I see you are in "Nor-Cal". Do you happen to know what MINI of Mountain View uses? I was under the impression that they use the MINI branded 5W-30, but I don't know for sure.
I see you are in "Nor-Cal". Do you happen to know what MINI of Mountain View uses? I was under the impression that they use the MINI branded 5W-30, but I don't know for sure.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 5
From: Hauppauge, NY
Don't touch that engine! 
The MINI manual says to only take it to your dealer for oil changes, and if you can't, only add a few drops of MINI-recommended substitutes to "top-off" the oil, on an emergency basis!
Close that bonnet, and step away from the car!
You've been warned!
The MINI manual says to only take it to your dealer for oil changes, and if you can't, only add a few drops of MINI-recommended substitutes to "top-off" the oil, on an emergency basis!
Close that bonnet, and step away from the car!
You've been warned!
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
You guys totally crack me up thinking all this BS that you have to use Mini oil and that only the dealer can do the oil change. You are totally brainwashed!
The USA manual clearly state that a SM Synthetic oil in 0w-30 5w-30 0w-40 is what is called for.
The USA manual clearly state that a SM Synthetic oil in 0w-30 5w-30 0w-40 is what is called for.