I have an 03 cooper. Have taken it to Mini N. Scottsdale everytime for oil service, but now its not free... $125 for oil change is that steep? Anyway i wanted to know what most people here do. The last thing I want to do is take it somewhere bad... let me know if you have any suggestions.

 

I change my own oil and rotate my own tires and do my own brakes and flush my own fluids. Save the dealer visits for stuff you can't do.

...Les

 

I am unfortunately not that handy in the garage.

 

I'll help you out. Just PM when you need help.

 

$125 for oil service is VERY expensive. You can get it at Wal-Mart for $12.95 but there's nicer oil and lube places that'll set you back $30 or $40.

 

I always go to the dealer for oil changes. $95 incl.taxes etc and I get treated like a king! Try that at Wal-Mart.

 

I would buy a case of synthetic oil (mobil1 5w-30 or similar fully synthetic) from your local auto parts store and then just buy the oil filter from either your local dealer's parts department or the Classic MINI parts department. Then take both the case of oil and the filter to your favorite local mechanic that you trust, and pay them to do the labor.

 

For all you guys who resent spending the money on a dealer oil change, why did you buy a MINi in the first place? You could have saved yourself some money and bought a Kia or a used Hyundai Pony. And why spend money on 18" OZ wheels when a set of 15" steel wheels would have been a lot cheaper?
The reason is quality and that is what you get for your money by going to the dealer for the oil change. not the quality of the oil, but the qualty of the experience. It's the same reason people go to Starbucks for a $4 latte when they could have made one at home for next to nothing.

 

That's funny. The experience. Let's see, waiting in a lobby for an extended amount of time while your car waits to get a quick, cursory wash does not make for a great experience. I'm not suggesting that you should spend $12 at Wal-Mart, but I think you can get just as good of an *oil change* at a nice oil and lube joint for $40 as you could at MNS for $125.

Personally, I'd rather use the $85 on gas or accessories then pad a dealer's profits. I guess I'm just crazy like that.

 

I think you've got a problem dealer there. MINI Yaletown in Vancouver always makes me feel first class when I get service, they treat me like I'm the reason they're there, not vice versa.
Still to each his own.