For those of you nerds that like to send your oil samples off (j/k) Someone with some knowledge tell me the facts about oil change intervals.

I've been building engines since I was 17. The only thing over the last 30 years I have changed is the way I break them in. Many years ago, I read a site called motoman usa and it changed my mind but back to the subject at hand. My intervals have been....

1200 miles first oil change
5000 oil change and every 5K miles after that.

Obviously mini's first oil change according to them is roughly 18-20K miles.

I'm sure Mini's engineers know more than I but I have a problem going 20K miles before my first oil change.

I know the average oil change in my Corvette and H2 are roughly 7-8K miles using Mobil synthetic.

I also use to use Amsoil and it said not to change oil but every 36K miles. I did use it in a Yukon and would change it every 10K miles. At 155K miles, it never used a drop of oil and it was still clean.

So, those in the know, am I being old school by changing the oil every 5K miles? Like I said, obviously Mini's engineers know better than I and though I can't see them risking engines prematurely failing if it wasn't good for them.
Of course, it sure helps cars when they offer 3 years free maintenance and they don't have to change the oil but once or twice over their 3 years.

Thanks,

Mark

 

There are several threads on NAM about this. What I have taken from those that are doing oil analysis is that 8k is about where the bad things OA measures start to happen.

 

their interval for oil changes scares me, i have a 2008 w/ 26,0000 on the clock ,4000 until next service

 

Thanks rrc, I did do a search but came up with types of oils rather than time limits.

Nonetheless, it seems that 8K would be a better amount but I can't see why Mini would allow them to almost triple that amount.

Think I'll stick with what I'm doing.

Mark

 

My '08 mini is slated to have its oil changed every 15k miles, however, the mini dealership I went to offers a trimmed down "annual oil change" that was free. I think they just flush out the bad oil and replace with clean oil. Maybe no filter change but I'm not sure.

It's something to look into asking for the "annual oil change" since it's free/included with the service plan.

 

I just had my 08 MCS at the dealers for my annual state inspection. I asked if they could do the annual oil change and they obliged with no hassle. I only have 4800 miles on the car but I have had it for 1 year. My state inspection will be due every year before my actual pickup date by 1 day

The dealer told me they would change the oil, filter and top off all fluids. But they could not reset my OBC since I have low mileage. According to the service receipt, I got my state ins., state em., oil and filter change, winshield solvent, and something marked as "2+2/BKLN/GLOVES"


OTTO's MINI

 

It all depends on your driving style. I drive my car pretty hard and take it to the track whenever possible. I had oil samples from my engine analyzed few times to see how the oil was holding up. I use German Castrol Syntec 0W-30. The lab found out that this oil is holding up perfectly in my engine under harsh driving conditions but they recommended 6000 miles maximum on this oil for my driving style. But I like changing my oil a bit sooner just to be safe, usually before 4000 miles or so. Probably an overkill. My car had its 9th oil change at around 30k miles!

 

I had an analysis done after about 5K miles. It estimated that 8K would be a safe interval for me. If you drive under harsh conditions, such as stop-and-go rush hour, city driving, or racing, you might want to have the analysis done to see if you should go shorter intervals. It only costs about $35 for the standard test + TBN (tells you how much active additives remain. This is useful for determining change intervals).

BMW is doing a lot of advertising on their free maintenance. Long intervals save them $$$. So, I suspect their schedule is based on profitability, not what is best for the car.

My countdown service odometer started at 15,000 when the car was new. It went up to 19,000. At my 2nd annual oil change (I did my own at around 1,500 and 6,500) I only had about 11,000 miles on the car. They decided to do the full service anyway and reset the service countdown. It started at 19,000 this time.

The annual oil change is part of the free maintainance period service. You shouldn't have to ask.

 

[emphasis mine] I think this is the key question. What is the design life of the engine? [hyperbole] It may be the engineers are designing to a 50k mile service life that matches the warranty. [/hyperbole] My thought is to maintain the engine according to your longevity expectations. If you're to trade it in at 50k miles, then MINI schedule would suffice. Planning on keeping it past warranty, then maybe a little more TLC is in order.

 

Mark,

I had mine changed at 1200 miles and my dealer is saying I don't need to be back for another 5000, which is a little high since I only do 3500 per year. Typically I'll just change the oil every spring regardless of the milage.

One thing that confused me a bit, a guy in the office with a new Mazda 7 x-over was told by his dealer that there was extra-special-super-high-quality oil (which I doubt) in the car direct from Mazda and he should definitely not change it before the first scheduled change. This got me worried, did I do the right thing?

 

Annual oil change?? What is this annual oil change you speak of? I was told by the dealer that not only would they have to follow the recommended oil change intervals set by the computer but you literally have to be within 100 miles of that mileage.



Ric,

I've heard of dealers use a different viscosity oil for break-in (that must be they are calling their "extra-special-super-high-quality oil"

With the quality of oils, it's probably not necc.

Having said that. I still choose to change my first oil change at 1200 miles. It gives just enough of a break-in to change out any oil with shavings/residue.

 

I'm not sure how many of you have done this but when I use to build engines, I'd take the oil filter after having about 100 miles on the new engine out of the car and cut it in half.

If you've ever pulled a filter apart and looked at the shaving that are caught by the paper element, you'd understand why I change oil at 1200 miles.

Tiny pieces of metal everywheeeeeere.


Mark

 

That'd be interesting to see if you ever post a photo.
Ric

 

We changed the oil in my wifes BMW, before we traded it in for her new MCS, at 10k miles, BMW recommened 15K, and the oil seemed ok but the filter was cooked. Yea oil might last, but how about filters? We do no more than 5k between oil changes.

 

I was told that they cover oil changes every 12 months or when the the OBC tells them it's time, whichever comes first. YMMV
I took mine in at 12 months and had the oil done then a few months later to have the rest of the needed services done when the mileage indicator went to (near) zero. They wouldn't do another oil change the second time though (I asked).

 

OC,

Have you considered that this is a decision made by the bean counters?

 

Yaletown MINI here in Vancouver called to remind us to come in for an oil and oil filter change, "around 2500-4000 km". Complimentary, so I'm not complaining (though since it's complimentary it would seem that this is not just a money-grab..?). It appears that this dealer, at least, is deviating from MINI's official guidelines.

 

Sure, that's why I said in my original post...

From a financial standpoint, if they offer oil changes free for the first 3 years and the first oil change is at roughly 20K miles... that's great for them, only 1 oil change in the first 3 years.

I don't know where the rest of these people are getting free oil changes in a year... I don't get it. and our local dealer sure don't offer it.


Mark

 

I remember in 1996 when BMW started their free maintenance program and I purchased my BMW then. It went from a recommended interval of 3-5K per oil change to 15-20 K w/o any changed in the oil, oil filters or the car.

I agree with you and feel it certainly feels like an economic decision on their part.

My car is now almost one year old with 13K miles. It has gone through 11 track days, 2 sets of brake pads and 1 1/2 sets of tires and the computer still shows 8K miles more before the official oil change.

BTW, there are a number of us that are car fanatics that would not buy a used BMW that has been maintained strictly via the computer schedule.

 

Hear ye, hear ye... I completely agree. I'm looking for the other "****" owner.


Mark

 

the fast oil change is fine for our car when new to get the crud out. I really haven't seen any "dual users" (street and track) that break down the oil in less than 8k miles. I'm sure some can go longer without risk. No matter what, keep an eye on level and top as nessasary, I'm thinking that many have gone low on oil by not checking level during the very, very long change intervals that the computer calculates.

For the Amsoil 36k claim, this is the highest I've ever heard. Even if one were to do that, I'd change the filter every year and top up as needed.

Matt

 

Don't forget about the other fluids in the car.

 

The oil in a low-mileage car works a lot harder than you'd think, especially if you do a lot of short trips in cold weather, when the oil doesn't get a chance to get up to temperature. I'd bet the oil in a mostly highway driven car with 10k would be in better shape than the oil in a car that's seen 4k miles of short trips at low speeds. That's probably why BMW/MINI recommends at least an annual change.