How far into the negative milage can you go for your first service before there might be a problem?? You know, Mr. Whatever, your car is at -324 miles to first service, we now have to beat you with a tire tool... I have meant to go get my service but I live 300miles from my nearest dealer and life has not been kind to me as of late...

 

I was something like -2000 and they didn't give me a bit of trouble.

 

Cool. Thanks Trippy.

 

>>I was something like -2000 and they didn't give me a bit of trouble.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.......that is 12K miles on 5 qts of oil and one measly filter. (unless you did change it in the meantime, in which case you are sensibly treating your car or treating your car sensibly........)

 

I just changed my oil at 5100 miles and the oil looked filthy. :smile:

 

I was at about 9,800 miles and the dealer offered to change the oil and filter a little early. I was to change it about 11,500 miles.

I think the answer depends on the dealer so give them a call and ask what they advise since you do live 300 miles away.

For the time spent driving 600 miles round trip it is very easy to do or pay for the oil and filter to be changed by a local garage or do it yourself.

5 quarts full synthetic oil
Oil filter paper cartridge and O ring

tools
disposal of the used oil

Get the parts from Classic Auto Campus a sponsor on NAM they have good prices and can ship you the parts. Go to your local auto supply store to get the oil.

Redline and Amsoil cost more but are first rate.
Mobil one is easy to find
Castrol full synthetic 5W-30 is recommended by your MINI manual.