I bought my MC 3/2007 and have only 14,000 miles on it. I'm still on original oil and service reminder is showing 5,000 remaining miles and 3/09 date. Dealer said this is incorrect, oil must be changed annually even if service reminder light does not indicate this. I cannot verify this statement in service manual. Is this correct?

Also, while doing test drive dealer said the brake fluid change reminder came on so they did that, too. Would have upset me if the reminder light came on an hour later on my way home after the car was serviced. Is the brake fluid service not linked to normal time or oil service?

And don't flame me about not changing my oil every 3000 or whatever miles some of you do. Car is leased and dealer is 150 miles away.

 

It should be 1yr/~15000 miles whichever comes first

 

Well I can't get use to this kind of oil change schedule. I guess I am old school!

 

It's MINI-USA that gives us 'Annual' Oil Changes, the rest are on Biennial time maximum and Tach reflects that.

Mine was a week 12 or March 18, 2008 build and my service indicator is showing due at 03/2010 (or 13,000 miles to go).

I have driven 2300 miles (Oil/Filter changes at 1250) in seven months, so my 'short-trip' severe service evidently has me on a 15k schedule.

I expect to have less than 2,000 miles on present oil/filter when my Annual Oil Change can be done (for free) at MINI Dealership.

 

Picked up my MCS 5/2007 and it also has a 3/09 date for service on the tach. My dealer (MINI of Mountain View) did a free oil change after one year, in spite of the tach.

If the brake service light comes on, it overrides any service interval. They did the right thing.

 

I bought mine in 7/08 and my service indicator says 7/09.

 

Unless you don't live in the US, it says it clearly in the service manual. My 07 MC service manual says at the top of page 3:

Note: Change oil at least once a year.

Also if the dealer is willing to do this, why are you turning down an extra freebie?

 

Because he is 150 miles away and it shoots a vacation day to get down there and back. Also, I had it in there a few months ago for the check engine light and they didn't mention it even though they had the car for the better part of a day. Also, the year thing was never mentioned when I bought the car; i was going by the date (3/09) on the service reminder. I'm not one to spend time reading manuals, but I did skim it and missed the wording you referenced. Fortunately not leasing through MINI Finance who if they are like their parent BMW Finance, will ding me at turn in time for not following the routine; though I'd make the same argument I made here.

 

I had mine changed on the house after a year in September and was told when the OBC gets to the service mark (in about 2200 miles) I'll get another change.