R50/53 MINI Oil Change...
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
MINI Oil Change...
Hi Everyone! So I just got off the phone with Patrick MINI re: 40k Oil Service. I tried to get my oil change done while my warranty was still vaild a few thousand miles ago, but they wouldnt do it. In any case, it costs $180 for an oil change. 
So here's my question. If I picked up an OEM filter, are places like Jiffy Lube, etc viable options? I've heard bad things. As much as I'd like to do it myself, I just dont have the time and, well, I'm lazy.
If anyone has any input/experience with this, I'd really appreciate it. I'd bring my own oil (would like to try out Mobil 1's Extended Performance.
So here's my question. If I picked up an OEM filter, are places like Jiffy Lube, etc viable options? I've heard bad things. As much as I'd like to do it myself, I just dont have the time and, well, I'm lazy.
If anyone has any input/experience with this, I'd really appreciate it. I'd bring my own oil (would like to try out Mobil 1's Extended Performance.
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
LOL, for entertainment's sake I just gave Jiffy Lube a call...$59 for 'quality oil'. I asked them how much it was if I brought my own Mobil 1 Extended Performance and they told me that they'd take off $3. 
(1 bottle of that Mobile 1 is $8 alone).
Oh woe is me...there's gotta be somewhere decent I can have it done...
(1 bottle of that Mobile 1 is $8 alone).Oh woe is me...there's gotta be somewhere decent I can have it done...
Patrick wants $180 for an oil change?! 
there's got to be something else included in that service, i hope!!!
I would talk to other dealers in the area Knauz, BJacobs, etc. You can
also talk to www.Euroquipe.com in St. Charles. they can do
our cars.
there's got to be something else included in that service, i hope!!!
I would talk to other dealers in the area Knauz, BJacobs, etc. You can
also talk to www.Euroquipe.com in St. Charles. they can do
our cars.
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 2
From: Burning-Ham Alabama
Originally Posted by BriNYU
LOL, for entertainment's sake I just gave Jiffy Lube a call...$59 for 'quality oil'. I asked them how much it was if I brought my own Mobil 1 Extended Performance and they told me that they'd take off $3. (1 bottle of that Mobile 1 is $8 alone).
(1 bottle of that Mobile 1 is $8 alone).Those Jiffy Lube idiots will have ZERO idea how to remove and install your oil filter. They won't have the right tool and they won't be able to get the housing on, and if they do, they will almost certainly break the o-ring in the process, leaving you with an oil leak.
However, this would be the same quality work that I received at Global Imports in Atlanta when I had them do a "free" oil change, so you might be just as well off going to Jiffy Lube and saving the $$$
I know you say you are too lazy to do it yourself, but it takes a LOT less time to do it yourself than it would take to drive and wait for anyone else to do it.
Trending Topics
Originally Posted by Yucca Patrol
I know you say you are too lazy to do it yourself, but it takes a LOT less time to do it yourself than it would take to drive and wait for anyone else to do it.
actually, i let mine drip for like an hour... so i might take longer...
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
Likes: 2
From: Burning-Ham Alabama
Originally Posted by kenchan
actually, i let mine drip for like an hour... so i might take longer...
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Ok this subject brought my attention since I'm about to change my oil. This is my first European car and my question is, what's the difference between changing the oil of the Mini than changing the oil of a regular Japanesse car?
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, Kansas
Originally Posted by zer03s
Ok this subject brought my attention since I'm about to change my oil. This is my first European car and my question is, what's the difference between changing the oil of the Mini than changing the oil of a regular Japanesse car?
1. plastic cap = easy to strip threads
2. little o ring to seal cap = easy to bind or tear, causing a leaky seal
3. placement and removal = regular oil wrench wont work. you need a freaking huge socket i forget how big but you wont have it, also because of the way it is installed those grease monkeys will slop oil all over your exhaust header.
4. you should at least use OEM filter, the paper filter element design of lesser quality aftermarket filters have been known to collapse
translation....DO IT YOURSELF! If you have the time to sit in a jiffy lube then you have time to DIY.....
Originally Posted by planeguy
The filter design is just not idiot proof...
1. plastic cap = easy to strip threads
2. little o ring to seal cap = easy to bind or tear, causing a leaky seal
3. placement and removal = regular oil wrench wont work. you need a freaking huge socket i forget how big but you wont have it, also because of the way it is installed those grease monkeys will slop oil all over your exhaust header.
4. you should at least use OEM filter, the paper filter element design of lesser quality aftermarket filters have been known to collapse
translation....DO IT YOURSELF! If you have the time to sit in a jiffy lube then you have time to DIY.....
1. plastic cap = easy to strip threads
2. little o ring to seal cap = easy to bind or tear, causing a leaky seal
3. placement and removal = regular oil wrench wont work. you need a freaking huge socket i forget how big but you wont have it, also because of the way it is installed those grease monkeys will slop oil all over your exhaust header.
4. you should at least use OEM filter, the paper filter element design of lesser quality aftermarket filters have been known to collapse
translation....DO IT YOURSELF! If you have the time to sit in a jiffy lube then you have time to DIY.....
1. Aluminum cap, not plastic. Still prone to crossthreading, though.
3. 36mm socket. If you're careful, no sloppage.
usa_3388, MMV's labor rate is $140, so odds are it would be in the range that BriNY experienced
(assuming they charge an hour of labor.)Come down to Santa Cruz, we'll do the change, walk to beach and have a burrito and a beer, and you'll be way ahead.
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Eric_Rowland
Correction/clarification -
1. Aluminum cap, not plastic. Still prone to crossthreading, though.
3. 36mm socket. If you're careful, no sloppage.
usa_3388, MMV's labor rate is $140, so odds are it would be in the range that BriNY experienced (assuming they charge an hour of labor.)
Come down to Santa Cruz, we'll do the change, walk to beach and have a burrito and a beer, and you'll be way ahead.
1. Aluminum cap, not plastic. Still prone to crossthreading, though.
3. 36mm socket. If you're careful, no sloppage.
usa_3388, MMV's labor rate is $140, so odds are it would be in the range that BriNY experienced
(assuming they charge an hour of labor.)Come down to Santa Cruz, we'll do the change, walk to beach and have a burrito and a beer, and you'll be way ahead.
See the bottom of this post.
Note that if you're doing an 'in between' oil change during the service warranty period, you may want to leave the counter alone.
Click here for the entire MINI oil change How-to. Thanks to Randy Webb for the excellent documentation of the procedure!
Note that if you're doing an 'in between' oil change during the service warranty period, you may want to leave the counter alone.
Click here for the entire MINI oil change How-to. Thanks to Randy Webb for the excellent documentation of the procedure!
Yes! The main trick is to hold the button until it says “51A; oil service –2675 miles”. This would probably be different depending on how long you wait to do this. Normally when you hold the button, then turn the key to position 1, the “test mode” activates instantly. But you have to keep holding until the oil service mode displays.
Here’s what I did:
- Press & hold the “Trip Button”
- Turn Key to “Position 1”
- Keep holding the “Trip Button” until the “test” displays changes to the “oil service” display.
- Press & hold the “Trip Button” until “rst” pops up and starts blinking.
- Press the “Trip Button” once more and release
- The oil service display should now show an “inspection” countdown instead of an oil service countdown.
- That’s it.
I hope this procedure is correct, since I was trying to attempt this numerous times until I finally got it.
Here’s what I did:
- Press & hold the “Trip Button”
- Turn Key to “Position 1”
- Keep holding the “Trip Button” until the “test” displays changes to the “oil service” display.
- Press & hold the “Trip Button” until “rst” pops up and starts blinking.
- Press the “Trip Button” once more and release
- The oil service display should now show an “inspection” countdown instead of an oil service countdown.
- That’s it.
I hope this procedure is correct, since I was trying to attempt this numerous times until I finally got it.
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Exit 9 New Jersey Turnpike
Do yourself a favor ....
Buy one of these cuties -
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
And install it on your next oil change. After that you never need to worry about stripping threads (which is easy since the oil pan is aluminum I believe) - just turn the valve and drain your oil. They even offer one with a nipple so that you can run a hose from it to a container for zero chance of spillage.
I have one ready to be put on at 5,000 miles when I will do my first oil change.
Question (since I am too lazy to check) - does the JCW strut bar get in the way of changing your oil filter? I think I had heard that you need to remove the bar to get access to the filter cap...
Bill
Buy one of these cuties -
http://www.fumotovalve.com/
And install it on your next oil change. After that you never need to worry about stripping threads (which is easy since the oil pan is aluminum I believe) - just turn the valve and drain your oil. They even offer one with a nipple so that you can run a hose from it to a container for zero chance of spillage.
I have one ready to be put on at 5,000 miles when I will do my first oil change.
Question (since I am too lazy to check) - does the JCW strut bar get in the way of changing your oil filter? I think I had heard that you need to remove the bar to get access to the filter cap...
Bill
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Eric,
I just purchased a used 03 MCS with 37k and I think the service warranty is expired already but I normally do all the changing oil to my cars. So the question is, what happens if I don't reset the counter? Also is that the instruction on how to reset your counter? Correct me if I'm wrong, the counter of the change oil is where the speedometer is right? Mine says 9600 left. The reason I wanted to change the oil is because I bought it used. Can you reset the counter to any numbers? Thanks Eric.
I just purchased a used 03 MCS with 37k and I think the service warranty is expired already but I normally do all the changing oil to my cars. So the question is, what happens if I don't reset the counter? Also is that the instruction on how to reset your counter? Correct me if I'm wrong, the counter of the change oil is where the speedometer is right? Mine says 9600 left. The reason I wanted to change the oil is because I bought it used. Can you reset the counter to any numbers? Thanks Eric.
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Cypress, Ca
$192!
Best to save $$ and do yourself. It is too easy not to!
Checkout Motoringfile.com DIY section.
Be careful not to cross threads when reinstalling the canister/cap, and ensure the o-ring is seated fully before reinstalling as well.
Also...the drain plug may be super tight, so be prepared. (aluminium pan and steel bolt). I typically use a 10 inch breaker bar for leverage, but be sure that the socket does not slip off and round off the bolt head. A small amount of anit-seize on the bolt threads when reinstalling it may make it eaiser to loosen at your next oil change.
Really.....I paid $192 for an in between service interval oil change!
Checkout Motoringfile.com DIY section.
Be careful not to cross threads when reinstalling the canister/cap, and ensure the o-ring is seated fully before reinstalling as well.
Also...the drain plug may be super tight, so be prepared. (aluminium pan and steel bolt). I typically use a 10 inch breaker bar for leverage, but be sure that the socket does not slip off and round off the bolt head. A small amount of anit-seize on the bolt threads when reinstalling it may make it eaiser to loosen at your next oil change.
Really.....I paid $192 for an in between service interval oil change!
6th Gear
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,478
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by BriNYU
Hi Everyone! So I just got off the phone with Patrick MINI re: 40k Oil Service. I tried to get my oil change done while my warranty was still vaild a few thousand miles ago, but they wouldnt do it. In any case, it costs $180 for an oil change.
DO NOT go to Jiffy Lube.
zer03s - yep, you're out of service warranty, but still within MFG warranty, so I'd just do the oil change, and leave the counter. If you reset it, it'll tell you that you have 15K to go until the next change. I'm not sure about how the counter interacts with the inspections vs. oil changes, so I'd keep the resets to the MINI specifications.
If you don't reset the counter, nothing happens. It will just keep counting down until it thinks you need an oil change.
If you don't reset the counter, nothing happens.
It will just keep counting down until it thinks you need an oil change.
2nd Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Dublin, CA
Edge Motorworks in Dublin, CA - a shop that does a fair amount of work on Minis - charged me about $75. If you are not a do it yourselfer, definitely go to a shop that has experience working with Minis.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,694
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
I thought the MINI was one of the easiest cars I've ever owned to change the oil on. Most cars the oil will drip down from the filter and get into every little nook and cranny. With the MINI, drain the oil through the drain plug, loosen the aluminum cover over the filter element, let it drain for 10 minutes or so (guess I drink my beer faster than you guys ), fully remove cover and filter (no remaining oil to drip all down engine), put new filter element on, put new gasket on cover, spin cover on, tighten cover and drain plug. Fill with 4.5 quarts of synthetic of your choice and check level. Nice, neat job. My 2002 Passat with the 1.8 turbo was a PITA to get at the filter and it always piddled over everything below it.
), fully remove cover and filter (no remaining oil to drip all down engine), put new filter element on, put new gasket on cover, spin cover on, tighten cover and drain plug. Fill with 4.5 quarts of synthetic of your choice and check level. Nice, neat job. My 2002 Passat with the 1.8 turbo was a PITA to get at the filter and it always piddled over everything below it.
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Gainesville, VA
For budgeting purposes, how often must one change the Mini's oil? The traditional 3000 miles? 4 or 5 like it says in my truck instructions? Or does the synthetic oil last some extra distance I'm not familiar with? Thanks!
If you're budget minded, the car will tell you when to change it. This will be ~15K miles, which is supposed to be ok with synthetics. I can't imagine letting it go that long though.
If not, per Randy Webb - 5K miles for a street car, 3K if you do track days.
If not, per Randy Webb - 5K miles for a street car, 3K if you do track days.