Today was oil change day at our house. Started with my MCS - first oil change went pretty smooth. Completed at 5135 miles. MINI filter and Valvoline Synpower Full Synthetic. Once I figured it all out it wasn't too bad. Wow is that oil slick, as in very slippery. I plan on doing it every 5000 miles. Hopefully that will help guarantee some engine longevity. I'll do the next one at 10000 and MINI can handle the 15000. Also rotated the tires - quick job with a compressor and a good impact wrench. Next up was the wifes Mazda CX9 at 15573. Easy peasy. Drain is right in your face and so is the the screw on filter. The dealer provides 4 free changes in the first 24000 miles, so they changed at 5000 and 10000 miles. I did the 15000 and they will go again at 19500 and 23900, and then I am on my own again. It is nice to have one vehicle that I can literally do in the amount of time it takes for the oil to drain. Last up my daughters 98 Honda Civic at 185248. Unfortunately, the Honda is a PITA. Oil all over my arm and on the driveway. Oh well, she is good to go for another 5000 miles.

 

What did it cost you? I just had mine done at the local dealer. Cost was $60 plus tax. But I didn't have to get under the car or skin any knuckles.

 

5 Quarts Valvoline Synpower 5w30 - $29, Oil Filter - $14, Satisfaction of doing it myself and knowing it is done properly - PRICELESS

Actually, $60 doesn't sound too bad.

 

Just went back and looked at my invoice. $60 in Labor, plus $48.00 in parts, with a $18 dollar discount. so all in all $90.00

 

I just did my first oil change on my Mini too on Sunday.

The first change is always hard since I don't know exactly what to do. When I was going to screw my oil filter back on, I realized the torque wrench I had was 1/2, not 3/8!! So I had to drive my bro's van to get an 3/8 extension.

 

I did my first change a few weeks ago at just over 5000. Yep, it was pretty easy... and you've got me thinking back to Hondas we've owned in the past, with their oil filter fittings behind the engines that poured oil all over the chassis crossmember when removed, as well as down my sleeve. Fun... so was trying to swing an oil filter wrench in a very narrow spot.

Spridget

 

must have been the weekend for oil changes. i did my first change on saturday - the car's at 2500mi. i bought mobil 1 extended life 5w30 from walmart for $28 for the 5qt jug. i bought 3 filters from prestige for about ~$35 shipped. the biggest pain in the *** thing was the tools - i had a 1/2" torque wrench so i got a T50 for a 3/8" driver (couldn't find one for 1/2"), 1/2" to 3/8" adapter, 27mm for 1/2", 1/2" extension, and then a 17mm 1/2" to recheck the torque on my lug nuts. i guess it was an expensive-ish first oil change, but now i have all the tools i need for maintenance work. i appreciate that the drain plug was right at the front of the car, so no ramps needed really, but the sucky thing is trying to get the plug off...there's no way not to make a mess. and reaching for the oil filter when the engine is even slightly warm can get dicey b/c those radiator tubes are pretty hot!
curious if anyone knows why mini recommends 0w40 mobil 1 but 5w30 castrol synthetic? i found that to be a bit strange.

 

I changed the oil at 6 months with Mobil 1 and the OEM filter. Will have the dealer do the "free" service at a year in July. Will be interesting to see which oil (MINI's or Mobil 1) nets the best MPG, since they are different wieghts.

 

Wish my dealer was that cheap.

 

So I am hearing I did save a little $$$ doing it myself. That makes me feel a little better.

 

From what I've read, it is because of differences in the way Castrol and Mobil measure the weights of their oil. The Mobil1 0w40 is more like Castrol 5w30 than the Mobil1 5w30 is.

 

WOW, I didn't think $90.00 was Cheap. But since I only drive the Mini about 6,000 miles a year, it's not so bad. 1 oil change every spring.

 

DIY is always cheaper. As long as you aren't overconfident in your skills and do something wrong. Used to work at Jiffy Lube a while back, can't remember ever changing the oil on these cars. Is it a paper element filter ont he drive side of the car under the hood (not below with a downward facing filter)? And how many qts? sorry to ask questions

 

No wonder I don't go to Speedy Lubes and cringe everytime a see a MINI pulling into the local Oil Can Henry's.

DIY:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...with-pics.html

 

Yep. That is where the filter is and it is paper. Buy 5 quarts of oil for the change.

 

I just got my first oil change. The dealer did it no charge, as it was one year since I purchased it. It had 6400 miles on it. I only had to add one quart of oil to it in the last year, at 5000 miles.

Dave

 

the filter is located under the coolant overflow tank (at the front of the engine block) and is pitched at a ~30º angle towards the driver's side. you'll need a 27mm socket and prob a 12" extension to get to it. when you pull the cap off, the filter will come with it. the car takes ~4.5qts of oil. also note that drain plug requires a torx T50 sized wrench for removal.

 

Yah I should have all those tools. Thanks for the quick replies everyone.