I did a little searching and didn't find exactly what I was looking for, so I'll ask. I apologize if it has been asked before.

I bought my MINI in March and have about 11,000 miles on it right now and the oil change indicator reads that I have about 7,000 more miles to go before I NEED an oil change. I am guessing that the dealer will not change it under warranty until it has been 1 year or the light says it is needed, is that correct?

Anyways, my dad is a Honda mechanic and changing oil every 5,000 miles and is having a really hard time swallowing the fact that MINI says I should be able to go 15,000 miles between oil changes. I've seen some people will change them sooner, just to be safe. I did top it off a couple weeks ago to make sure it is full.

I guess I am asking...
Has anyone changed their oil according to the 15k/1 year schedule that MINI recommends and has had no major problems?

I'm willing to change my oil on my own if it is going to save my engine down the road, but there's no point in wasting money or oil if it is not needed.

Thanks.

 

Just an FYI, I would think that any issues may take time and mileage to surface.

I have seen something on NAM where someone forgot to get an oil change, ran over by 7K, and there were problems. Don't have that thread handy though.

 

7K is a pretty large margin to go over by - can't help but wonder if the car was run low on oil, etc...

I plan to do my own changes between the included interval - about every 7500 miles. Still feels like a bit of a stretch as I'm still making the mental adjustment to a new car with longer interval, but should be fine. Oil change on these cars is super easy to do... Filter is very easy to get to without making a mess.

 

2nd Generation MINI owner's especially need to check the oil level more frequently and change it more often than specified by MINI Service....

I have seen a dealer replace an engine or two on warranty as the owner never bothered to check the oil hence why most BMW's have no dip sticks anymore just idiot lights.....

 

And BTW there must be 100+ threads on this exact same subject where the merits of 3K to 10K oil changes, oil analysis and filters are discussed at length.

 

I'm sorry. I searched 'oil change' and came back with several pages of results. I clicked through the few that I thought might have my answer but none really answered exactly what I was asking...

By the sounds of it, I will just have my dad change my oil now at 11K and then take it to the dealer for the free 1 year service in March. (It won't be driven November - March.)

 

Hell no!! I only average about 10-11k a year and I changed my oil once myself at 4.5K and then had Mini change it at 11K under their 1 year schedule thing. From what I have read extensively hear on NAM is that the oil could last to 10K, But a better range to change it is 5K-8K. I found one of the threads where Robin Casady talks about his oil analysis that he had done. If you want shoot him a PM if you have any questions.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...h-pics-12.html

 

amberback, I am new here with a 2010 MCS (new in July, 2010) and personally there is NO WAY I would let it go 15,000 until an oil change.

Not sure if you have found them, but there are two great threads in the 2nd gen "how to" section that show how to change the oil (I shortened the URLs because they were so long):

http://bit.ly/clUMHV

http://bit.ly/bD3f0P

I am planning to do my first change at 3,000 and then 5,000 thereafter with the 15,000 on the dealer. To me, it is very cheap piece of mind.

 

You'll get all over the radar on that question. I made just under 11K on the first change and the oil was on its way to abrasive and the filter was clogged (bypass was open). I change at 5K after talking to a lot of filter guys and Bob is the oil guy questions. Pretty much they all agree that oil can go for 10- 15K but filters can't. Blackstone didn't think the oil could go that far.
Anyhoo, 5-8K intervals is the seemingly going rate on filters. 5K for me, just 'cause it is easy to remember. I don't stress over the BMW LL01 cert either, there are 3 reasons. The oil won't make what they say it will and end in decent shape, I won't let it go for the super long intervals, and it is just plain hard to find in my neck of the woods.
Remenmber, they made those change intervals because European laws, guidelines or peer pressure demanded it, not because the builders though it was probably a good idea.

 

Good point LostinTX. MINI filters are very good and manufactured with a combination of materials weaved into the filter medium for longevity and effectiveness and reliabiltiy.

But, IMO no filter out there is effective after 8-10K miles of service....Just my 2 cents.

 

I would recommend an oil change interval of 10K. At least have good 'ol Dad drain and fill the oil, even if he does not want to mess with that funky MINI oil filter. A filter (air, fuel or oil) only works better as it collects impurities, to a point anyway.

That's what I plan to do if we rack up that many miles, but I don't expect to hit 10K in that first year. The PT that the MINI replaced only saw 6K a year.

I have seen a BlackStone Labs MINI oil analysis at 11K and the BlackStone notes said to go another 3K and check it. TBN was 2.7 so the oil was still protecting the engine. So I have no problemo going 10K on a MINI. Also the oil you added only helps raise the TBN again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Base_Number

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

My GMC diesel truck had a TBN left of 4.7 at 10K and 8 months. It holds 10qrts of oil! I also have no problem going 10K with it, and the oil life monitor goes off then anyway.

 

He he. I got my oil changed at 1200 miles. Not b/c I am obsessive about these things, but b/c it was going all the way to the dealer anyway for a re-do on the clear bumper. I took full advantage of the dealer's offer for "valet service" and decided to have the oil changed while she was there! Of course, now I think she needs a re-do on the clear bra....but I won't do another oil change just yet!

 

Every 5000 miles -- religiously.

Have it down to less than a 20 minute task.

...and it gives me a reason to raise the hood and play with my Mini -- always good.

 

every 9000 kilometers... as much as I like the syntehtics and the whole idea.. I do know that the filter wont catch everything after a point.. and the oils can only hold so much junk too!

 

i change my oil and filter every 6 months, regardless of mileage. what's $ 50 every 6 months anyway.

 

I know it isn't my section, but I think waiting that long is silly, I do mine every 3-4k miles. It isn't that expensive and I prefer to err on the side of caution.

 

Blackstone recommended 7K for me as well.

First change was at 1500 miles. I just couldn't stand it so the second change was at 8K. Mini can get the next one..lol

 

It all depends on how you drive :
1) drive like you steal it = change your oil more frequently.
2) drive like your grandma = manufacturer recommendation is not a joke.
3) oil change = money, more money can't hurt.

 

I buy Mini Cooper Oil from my dealer and change it when it has 5,000 plus miles on the oil. 15,000 miles is probably OK but ""NOT FOR MY CAR IT AIN'T""

 

Question for those who change their own oil:

What oil do you get? (brand name & all). I read a little about it in the manual, but I want to know what people here use.

I've never changed the oil in a car myself, & would like to know the details of what's done with the Mini. I don't plan on going the recommended mileage before an oil change.

 

I asked the service manager at the local mini dealer how long he waited between oil changes and his response was something like "we are in business to sell cars and parts, not oil changes". I change mine every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But you need to have it changed when the indicator says to otherwise it may impact any warranty issues you might have down the road.

 

I used Mini brand synthetic oil the first time I did it, which was at 5000 miles. I wanted to use Redline but decided for the very first change to stick with Mini oil to avoid the possibility of any possible "issues." There are several excellent threads on here about the tools one needs and with pictures. It is not hard to do. If I was able to do it, I think almost anyone could. The only tricky part at all is the canister oil filter element which is replaceable in a housing as contrasted with the spin on throw away kind most of us are used to. There is a replaceable O ring which takes some care to get the old one off and the new one perfectly into the groove, but again, if I was able to manage it, I think most others could as well. Be sure and break the seal on the oil filter canister while the oil is draining as much less will come out of the oil filter housing that way. In the future, I plan to do oil analysis with Blackstone every 6 months and if I am getting good wear numbers probably stick with the Mini branded oil. If my numbers are not so good, I plan to go with Redline 0W-30 in the future and see if that does any better.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/11/yo...pagewanted=all