Dec.20,2013

I am trying to understand why Mini oil changes are okay so far apart ? Most cars suggest 5,000 mile changes and many of them also use synthetic oils. What is there so much difference with Mini and BMW ?

 

All I can tell you is don't do it. Change oil/filter at 5k, you'll sleep better.

 

The dealer told me they charge $80 for the 15,000 mile oil change. They figured that if you changed it every 5,000 miles then you would be paying around the same price. I did see an article that Mini and BMW are now saying every 10,000 miles.
The dealer is Mini of Mt.Laurel, New Jersey

 

Here we go again...you're asking for opinions, so I'll give you mine. I totally agree with minirab and change at 5k intervals and do the work myself or a third of the cost that the dealer charges. My Mini's computer leans more towards 18k changes. Ridiculous.

 

I do 7500 mile oil changes or 5000 if I have been driving hard....
Folks that do oil testing usually report that the oil tests ok with 10,000 miles and 15k is about right in some cases...some oils are actually good for far longer.
This has been discussed ad nauseum.....

 

Just do not exceed 8K and should be fine. Yes my indicator for oil changes sets at 15K.

 

as mentioned this is discussed to the n'th degree going back to 2002 and personally I believe the owners of Jiffy Lube and all the other oil change houses are laughing all the way to the bank having sold the US on the mythical 3000 mile oil change . . the only car in my garage with an owner's manual recommending routine 3000 mile changes is my 79 Mini, and the warning there is about the sump also being the tranny bath!

I recently picked up a 2014 Ford with a 2 liter Turbo'd rated for peak 250 hp.... the discussion about the oil change reminder in the OM says the computer will adjust based on driving style but gives these guesstimates:

Normal highway commutes, no towing, flat to moderately hilly: 7500 to 10000 mile interval

Heavy loads, towing, mountainous, extended hot or cold, extended idling: 5000 to 7500

Max load or towing, extreme hot or cold: 3000 - 5000

synth blend or 100 synth is the specified oil

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so according to some here on NAM, the Ford MoCo has also been infiltrated by people conspiring to have you destroy your engine.
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a similar topic of discussion is 'what octane' or 'do I HAVE to run premium' ???

they recommend minimum 87 octane but also provide numbers about HP

243 @ 5500 RPM 87 octane
252 @ 5500 RPM 93 octane

which is IMO another way of saying the engine management system will adjust ... they do add that if 'high load' is anticipated higher octane is recommended. High load can be towing or a very heavy foot!

This is nothing different than MINI at the end, but another way of saying it . . .

in the end, you can't hurt your car by changing the oil too often, nor by running too high of octane. You might be wasting $$ tho . . .