So I just bought a used R50 and it's due for its next oil change in over 5000 miles. That would mean it's been around 10,000 miles since the last oil change, correct? If that's the case, I am a little nervous to let it go another 5000 without a change, especially since it has not been in my posession during that time.

What would you do in my situation?

 

If you're nervous about it then just get it changed. An extra oil change won't do any harm

 

I agree that there definetly wouldn't be any harm to the car for getting an extra oil change. It could be harming the wallet if it's not necessary.

Would it just be obsessive to change the oil or could the car actually need the service?

 

I change my oil every 5000 with synthetic. I don't stick to Mini's schedule. I have worked in far to many dealers to see long oil changed intervals lead to short engine life.

 

Change the oil. Change it yourself so it's done right, and save money.

 

I'm not a believer in changing the oil every 3,000-5,000 miles "just because", but after having several oil analyses done on my wife's MINI and my MINI (both 2006 'S' models), I've found that that the factory/dealer oil is pretty much near its end-of-life after about 10-12 thousand miles. That's not too bad for the first OBC-recommended oil change, since that usually happens around 12,000 miles or so, but the *second* OBC-recommended oil change in my car won't happen until about 31,000 miles, which would mean that I'd have almost 19,000 miles on the oil.

While my car is still under the 4yr/50k service agreement, I'm just going to change the oil myself right in the middle of the OBC-recommended interval, and continue to let the dealer do the changes when the OBC says it's due.

I'm currently experimenting with a different brand of oil (waiting on my first analysis right now), and if it holds up better than the dealer/factory oil, I'll continue to use it and just set my change interval based on periodic analysis results.

 

i went through sort of the same sort of anxiety when i purchased my 2003 R50 awhile back. bought it off and independent (non MINI) used car lot. it was in great shape, 36k miles. lot owner told me it had just been serviced at the MINI dealer. however, wanting to "just make sure" i did inspection 1 maintenance right off the bat the next week.

first i would register for an account over at the miniusa owners lounge. if the dealer input any services into the system, you can see them there. my other recommendation would be to find a reputable non-dealer MINI mechanic. search around he forums for one in your area. take it to him so he can take a look at it. if he recommends an inspection 1 or oil change etc. it will be much cheaper than the dealer and may be worth your time saved to have him do it. and from what i have found, my MINI specialist does a much more thorugh job than the dealers out here at least.

another thing i will point out is that i wouldn't necessarily RELY on the service display on the speedo of a used. a quick google can show you how to reset it at home. really easy to reset it so it LOOKS like service has been done. the flip side to that is a negligent service man could FORGET to reset it also so you would read in the negative (overdue for service).

if it were me - go to mini usa and see if there are any services entered for your MINI. if not, then since it is a used car, i would get all fluids done very soon. or if your **** like me do it anyway. clean slate if you will. i did not see inpection one, oil change entries on my MINI at the MINI site but, again could have been a negligent dealer thing, too lazy to enter- wouldn't be a shock which is why i avoid the dealer like the plague. the oil certainly looked fresh but, i did it anyway.

last thing, is it a manual or CVT? do you plan to keep it for a long time? if so, research the known issues for your year and cosndier purchasing an extended warranty. some call it a waste but, in my case the $1500 i spent is a ton less for SOME peace of mind over a $7000 CVT replacement. heck even a power steering pump and a couple window cables or door locks (well know problems) will cost you around and above the price of the warranty. my warranty covers everything, except the routine maintenance things (brake pads, oil, etc.).

 

Thanks for all of the help. Before I purchased the car I took it down the the dealership to look up the service record and everything checked out ok. All service was current and done at the dealership. I also paid them to spend an hour looking for problems on the car and nothing was found. (I had the same thing done on another MINI a week ago and the reason I didn't buy that one was because of what was found at the check up.)

But I am thinking I will go ahead and change the oil. I'll do some searching to find out the best oil and how to get a filter cheaper than from the dealer.