I have read on several posts that the dealers are adding up to 5 qts of oil when changing the oil and filter. I read on the MINI operating fluids bulletin that 4.2 liters (4.4 quarts) is the correct amount of oil for all the 2nd generation MINIS. The bulletin doesn't say whether this is the amount to use for a oil/filter change or the total amount in the engine. Since there is always some oil left in the engine, the amount for a oil/filter change is always less than the total amount. I would appreciate it if anyone can verify what the correct amount of oil is for a oil/filter change.

Morris, 2011 MC, PW/B

 

ive seen 4.4 - 4.6 mentioned on this forum id like to know since i plan on doing mine in the next week.

i have a 2012 jcw though

 

i use 4 quarts when i change the oil/filter myself in my 2012 cms all4 (n18 engine) and that puts me at 1/2+ on the dipstick

so i would say 4.4 quarts would be full

i use just 4 quarts because if i fill the oil to the full mark, it burns it quite rapidly until the level gets to 1/2 then the consumption stops

i have gone 8,000+ miles (2 oil/filter changes) now with no oil burned by just filling to 1/2

scott

 

I put 4.5 quarts in with a new OEM filter and all is well. The first (and obviously last) time I let the dealer do it, they did not put enough oil in. Engine was making a horrible sound at start-up and during moderate-to-hard turns....pretty much anything below ~2100 rpm. I then added oil so I was around (just shy of) 5 quarts. The engine definitely DID NOT perform the same....felt sluggish and sounded muffled.

Not sure what the benefit of adding 5 quarts of oil would be....when the engine responds beautifully with 1/2 a quart less.

 

Don't know if 1/2 qt too much will do it, but I believe too much oil will just get frothed up by the engine. An oil pumped doesn't pump aerated oil well or at all which will then starve the engine of lubrication.

 

MINI specifies synthetic motor oil with a volume of 4.2 liters or 4.4 US quarts when replacing the oil filter.
Here is a great write up about it. http://www.minicooperspeed.com/mini-...-s-oil-change/