I changed the oil and filter in my 2013 R55 this weekend. I could strangle the engineer that hid the oil filter housing beneath the coolant expansion tank. As I was moving the tank out of the way I noticed a couple drops of coolant coming from the bottom of the tank where the hose attaches. Had to be extra careful and figured it was better to move the tank by moving the hoses and not pushing on the tank. How stoopid!!!

Anyway, my question is this: Can I remove the oil filter cap and filter from underneath the car? I stuffed a couple of rags down there to catch any oil before removing the filter cap and noticed that I was able to easily extract them from underneath the car. It didn't hit me until later that it might be possible to remove the cap and filter from underneath, negating the need to contort the expansion tank out of the way risking breakage. Is this possible?

 

OMG the oil filter is the worst part of this car. If you can get it out from below, more power to you. I can't see how it would be any easier than up top, however.

 

I changed my oil today, on my 2013 R56 JCW. As usual, I had drops of coolant dripping from the clip that connects the pipe, to the expansion tank.
Always done this, it completely stops once the expansion tank is put back in position.

 

If you take the intake tube off, a swivel and the right extension will do, but it’s a mess. I take the intake tube off between turbo and maf, then move the coolant tank around. Then pile paper towels under the housing, loosen until I can turn by hand, place tools aside, finish loosing by hand and pull it out wrapped in some of the paper towels from below, not much mess at all. I too would lose a drop or 2 of coolant, I just grab the bottom of the tank with paper towels. Moral of the story, I use a lot of paper towels to help trap the mess and throw away. Just did my change on Saturday and no visible drips.

 

With all of the other stuff in the way, I really doubt anyone can get their hands up to the oil filter housing from below...

This is inarguably a poor layout design with this engine. When I change my oil I have managed to carefully move the expansion tank out of the way, without removing any of the hoses or anything else, and slip a socket with an extender down through the gap. The wrench/extender/socket combination just barely fits between the 'nut' on top of the filter housing and the framework of the engine bay, but it allows me to loosen the housing to the point were I can remove it by hand. It's confined, but I can manage to do it.

Frankly, what I find an equal PITA from an accessibility standpoint is the engine air filter. My '09 JCW also has the MINI OEM strut tower brace running across the back of the engine bay. And while it's theoretically curved enough to allow clearance to open the airbox cover, it's really not... Because when you try to swing the airbox cover up (it's hinged at the back), the strut tower brace interferes with the front part of the airbox cover where the plenum opening mates to the MAF... So I've basically got to remove most of the connecting ductwork, including the MAF, then wrangle all of it out from underneath the strut tower brace... And believe me, none of it wants to come out easily -- nor go back in easily once the new air filter is installed and I have to reverse the process... But it's either that or remove the strut tower brace just to swap out an air filter, and I figure that's not generally advisable...