Just passed 1300 miles, the longest week ever Now I did some spirited driving, but all under 4k, very close but under, and 90 mph. I know, driving fast is bad, dangerous,illegal, but if I wanted a boring car I would've bought a Kia Rio
I plan on keeping her for a long, long time,so I'm going to get the oil changed this week.I can't see it being good with all that metal in there till 15k miles like the OBC says. So what will/have any of you done about post break in oil changes? thanks for all you wonderful and informative post This place is a great forum !!

 

Per the recommendation from my friend who has owned a few Turbos in his time, I'm going to pay for an oil change on my own dime wayyyyyy before the 14K maintenance interval says.

Lots of people do them at 1200...Mine will be done somewhere around 3K.

 

I have already scheduled Molly's 1st Oil Change with Rasmussen MINI for next Thursday, she just went past the Break In Period Mileage this last weekend. Follow up Oil Changes will done every 5000 Miles.

 

Got 1k miles on mine and starting to get ready for an oil change. Probably pick up an OEM oil filter and some Mobil 1 and do it at my dad's shop.
I know I should read the manuals but I'm assuming the first free oil change at the dealership is at 15k?! noooo way...

 

Here is a good thread with pics on changing the oil.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=oil+change

 

Hey Tug.... as a side note, I think you need to stop poking fun at insomniac, let the thing drop (Kia Rio stab). Other than that, I'm glad you are enjoying your car, i can't wait to be in the same position, omg the wait is tough.

 

DIY. I did my break-in oil change at 1100 miles, and I'll do the next one when I turn over 5000 miles. It' s not a hard job.

 

Just did one myself at 1200 miles. A very easy oil change, if you want to try it. I plan on changing the oil every six months, so it will be one by me, one by the dealer, etc... Dealer will change the oil once a year if you haven't yet reached the oil change mileage indicated on your on-board computer.

 

What did your dealer quote you for an oil change?

Mine said $185 -- I thought I was going to choke.

 

Kia Rio...

Anyway, I changed my own oil at 1200 miles. Ordered an oil filter from Detroit Tuned ($10) and used Castrol Syntec 0 W30. Lots of information in this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=101513

 

Glad you saw the comedy in it, I did too The link is great, but I'm going to have the dealer do it, I know I'll get raped, but I plan on hovering over them so I can see it done, then I'll feel better about doing it on my own, my father was a heavy constuction mechanic, I didn't get that gene, I drive em, don't fix em Cars and tugboats Thanks to all that replied,I do love NAM

 

It's really up to you. But I'm here to tell ya that it's beyond EASY to do it yourself. This, from one of the least mechanical person you'll ever want to meet.

It's as easy as:
1) lift the car
2) remove the plug
3) drain the oil into a pan
4) move the radiator overflow tank over
5) remove the filter
6) put the new filter (and O-ring) on
7) put the radiator overflow tank back on
8) put the plug (and crush washer) back on
9) put in 4 to 4.5 quarts of oil
10) lower the car

30 minutes max...and that's taking your time/trying to avoid oil spillage.

 

1st question, why would $185 cause you to choke... It's synthetic oil which is like 5 or 6 bucks or more a quart...

Seriously except for the intital oil change everyone here talks about... and forgetting the fact that a few are covered to 36k...

Most cars require a $20-30 oil change every 2k miles (I don't trust regular oil with 4k changes). The mini is about every 15k.... Assuming a $30 oil change (I would never even concider the jiffy lube $20)... So about 7 1/2 times more oil changes with a "regular" car at 30 bucks each is....225 bucks... So I'd say 185 for a dealer oil change aint so bad...

 

Waiting 15,000 miles seems like a long time to me also.

Once my Mini arrives i'll probably change it (myself) at about 1,000 miles or less ...just to remove all the shards of metal. I've broken in other engines in the past... in my opinion it's good to rev the engine at various levels ...high and low and to NOT drive at the same speed and rev constantly. What happens if you do, is that grooves develop at the highest and lowest points you rev (say between 2 and 4 thousand rpm). So when you do decide to rev it high to like 5 or 6 thousand rpm you have to get the pistons past those groove rings and more metal will circulate around your engine. (follow me)?

As far as changing oil, $185 is INSANE. even the best synthetic at $10 a quart should only cost you about $50 total in parts. Changing the oil is extremely easy on most cars.

Does anyone know what brand of oil the dealer uses? I've read and heard lot's of debate on synthetic vs non-synthetic. Personally I don't know which his best. I've always used non-synthetic in my Porsche and Jeep and both run great.

 

Ouch! The OEM oil and filter can't run more than about $40, so that leaves $145 for labor. Unless that $185 includes other service or inspection checks, it's a rip-off. Any competant mechanic should be able to change the oil on a MINI in less than 1/2 hour. A reasonable price would be somewhere around $80 - $100 (not a cheap price, just a reasonable price). My cost, doing it myself, was $24, including an OEM filter and Mobil1 oil.