I took my 2012 just a hardtop to the local dealer for its first "free" oil change today. It's been just one year and 10,000 mile since it's last oil change. Now I have been following the oil change threads so I know people disagree about mini's 15000 mile spec or 10000 mile spec or the one year spec. When I got home from the dealer, I curiously checked the computer to see what the "new" oil change interval was. Imagine my surprise to find the next oil change was set for TWO years or 20,000 miles !!!

Has anyone else encountered two year oil changes ? Did the tech just make a mistake ?

 

That doesn't make sense at all to me. My dealership gives me a free oil change once a year even if I don't have the mileage required.. I think the tech may have made a mistake. Im sure as you know.. One would never want to go that long on any oil change.. I would call them and ask what is going on! Good luck!

 

yeah doesn't seem right. i still do every 5k miles personally.

 

5k miles here too.

 

Every 5000, 10,000 is too long because as oil breaks down it leaves behind stuff that will coat the turbos oil feed line. It's no different than having a high cholesterol and clogging up your arteries! As oil vapor passes through and into your engine via PCV system what's left behind is a thick gum like residue. Mini brand oil is known for leaving this gum behind.

Why do you think Mini recalled your MCS for a oil feed line heat shield, because it's getting cooked onto the inner surface of the turbo oil feed line! Watch this YouTube video and look what's left behind in the glass test tubes after most of the oil vaporizes!

 

I was in the dealers yesterday, oil change is scheduled for every 2 years.
Whether you think that is right is another matter.
I work on mileage covered (usually 5k) as any modern synthetic will stay stable for 2 years so I don't see time is an issue.

 

^^I dont think our engines run at 400°C.

 

No our engines don't run at 400°C, but what about the oil? The oil gets hot enough to turn into vapor. That lab test was the only way to see what happens after longer periods of time is just a few minutes, think of that lab test as a fast forward over the course of 10,000 miles or extended periods of driving.

 

Same here set for 2 years or 20,000 miles on my '12 Justa on the last visit. However, the annual change trumps that under the MINI coverage in terms of the dealer doing it for free. With that said, I am not going to wait that long since I put on more than 10,000 in a year. My plan is to do 7,500 intervals from here on out. My driving is all relatively easy on the car as it's highway cruising for the bulk of my trip to work.

 

Not that long ago MINI adjusted the mileage from 15k to 10k, then they dropped to 8k right? I just performed my second oil change @ 6500 mi. (1st was @ 1250 mi. and no visible shavings present), reset the oil change interval light, and it displayed another 8k mi.

Depending on the oil, I have read that a quality synthetic can go at least 7500 mi. before starting to break down. I realize that everyone has an opinion, but I'm feeding my N18 turbo the good stuff every 5K mi. or 6 mo. since it only costs me $35 each time for syn oil, filer, and 30 min of my time.

 

i'm driving the justa... and also it depends on the oil you use. exactly why 100% synthetic is better (ie amsoil)

 

I would never go a year or more, 5000 miles with any quality synthetic is my recommendation. If you're just going to trade it in or it's lease, that's another story.

 

Yes, 5000 and Mobil 1 0W40. Doesn't burn oil that way. 20K is way too much in my book unless you're driving it straight through in a couple days.

 

Agree on changing oil before 10K, let alone 20K mile threshold.
5-7.5K miles with quality synthetic oil works for me. YMMV.

Your guess on the cause of oil feed line heat-shield TSB is dead wrong.
The heat shield is a fig-leaf attempt to cover-up the design problem of the oil feed line's two rubber gaskets getting heat-cycled and turning into dust by around the time you hit 50K miles on the car. Once gaskets fail, oil leaks. At first a little, then a lot. New feed line (OEM for another 50K miles, or DetroitTuned permanent solution) is the only remedy.
Fig-leaf mini heat shield may buy 10% longer lifespan for the 2 rubber gaskets inside the feed line, but eventually, they will fail nonetheless.

http://www.detroittuned.com/detroit-...-oil-line-kit/

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I know this is a very debated subject. But I also change mine between 5000-7500 miles. Or once a year regardless. But I must ask.. Are there people out there that would actually feel comfortable at a 20k oil change intervals?

 

for something like a corolla, and amsoil SSO, i would (and do, run a 20k mile interval).

not for a turbocharged mini (which I dont have). but since I autox, I change early.

 

Cool kyoo.. Im an amsoil junky myself.. I really like there products

 

yeah i've been happy with the performance. I'll be doing a more comprehensive test of engine oils soon, but regardless, for the MCS, wouldn't do more than 5k, no matter what oil

 

Not for a car I would EVER consider keeping past warranty expiration.
Or ever sell to a friend.

I did have a leased BMW (with N55 turbo engine) that would have gotten prepaid (aka "free") oil changes every 18K miles. But I had foresaken it in favor of the MCS, so it got driven <10K miles/year and got prepaid dealer oil changes annually (at your request they will go annual instead of mileage).

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P.S.: I did have MINI oil sent to Blackstone labs after I missed one oil change and went 12K miles on an interval. Report was returned with disturbing measurements of contaminants.

 

Well I thought I was missing something when I heard of the 20k oil change intervals.. I think the same way.. I don't put on a lot of miles but according to my dealership I get one oil change per year for free even if im under mileage. The way I understand from what your saying as well.

 

I will be curious to see your results! These turbos must really raise havac on oils!

 

i'll be sure to post them when they're up.

 

Thanks kyoo

 

I'm fine with a 20k mile OCI.

 

I thought you raced your car. Do you add any additives along the way? Done any UOAs?