just wondering do the dealer charge for first oil change? i am in toronto, Canada.

 

Here in the United States, new MINIs (And used MINIs with warranty left over) get a full 3 year or 36K mile (Whichever occurs first) scheduled maintenance program that covers all your oil changes, brake pads, brake rotors, wiper inserts, filters, bulbs, etc. I believe Canadian market MINIs offer a similar program, but you either need to check with your local dealer in Toronto or call MINI customer services at MINI Canada.

 

Really? So you mean my '06 with 10K miles gets free oil changes, brake pads for the remainder of 3/36?

COOOOLLLLLL

 

Oil changes and inspections are free only if your maintenance indicator says you're due; also, your brake pads need to be sufficiently worn before they'll replace them.

 

If you don't put many miles on your MINI you can get your oil and filter changed free at one year intervals. they also replace the wiper blades and change the cabin air filter if necessary. They will carefully check out your MINi while you are there and fix anything they see wrong. At least that's what Roadshow in Memphis did.

 

Thanks guys. Since I don't have my '06 yet, (still waiting on paperwork) I haven't had a chance to read the manual.

I was told that in order to cut down on maintenance needs, BMW says the oil doesn't need to be changed every 7500 miles or something. Is that true?

I typically use Mobil synthetic but won't go over 5K miles between oil and filter changes.

Point is, if oil changes are free but only at 7500 intervals, I'll pass. I'd rather pay for my oil and filter and do it at 5K mile intervals.

Thanks,

Mark

 

You can do your own oil changes between the factory intervals which you will get at no extra charge. many people do it that way.

 

FWIW my '07 Cooper is calling for its first oil change just shy of 20k miles. Hard to believe that the oil would have been good for that long, so I change it myself every 4k just to be safe. Probably overkill, but since I plan to keep this car for as many miles as possible, it seems like cheap insurance. And at $38 for the oil and filter from my local dealer, the cost isn't prohibitive.

Out of curiosity I sent oil samples off from the first two changes for analysis. The first one came back with a critical level of aluminum (50), abnormal silicon (46) (probably residue from the manufacturing process) and excessive levels of copper (41) and manganese (13). The second batch showed improved levels, and only the aluminum level (24) was indicated to be excessive. I believe the numbers are parts per million, but the report doesn't say that.

 

The prince is all aluminum. We should keep an eye on that for sure.

 

Brakes? lol, I'm at 67000+ miles on the original rotors and pads. I blew past even the extended warranty on them. So be it.
The oil changes for the first 36K were nice though - although the recommended interval (depending on your driving habits) will get you 2 or 3 changes before that "free" service is forever nonexistant. Then they get expensive. Time to do my own I suppose. The funky MINI filter is the only part that concerns me, mechanically speaking, otherwise an oil change is an oil change.
And be sure to check your oil level weekly... don't just rely on the ticker until your next change.

 

Just received my second free oil change, oil filter and new brake pads, rotors, cabin filter and new wiper blades all the way around, no charge and it has 28,000 miles on it!

 

Free oil changes??? Interesting... I've got ~40K on my '03 MCS. Dash counter is at 2,500. I bought it used last year and watched the counter tick down from 12,500!

I'm thinking I'm out of date on the FREE oil changes but anyone heard of getting one with my year and mileage?

 

Try 12,000 to 15,000 miles between oil changes according to BMW/MINI. Yeah, that wasn't a typo. One reason I do my own oil changes using AmsOil. I am changing my oil every 7000 miles. Oil analysis says that I could go 9000 miles before the change would be critical, but why tempt fate?

 

Yes, it's PPM (parts per million).

 

They only give you the free maintenance for 3 years or 36k from car delivery... So you are out of luck with your 03... Right now, basically a car would have to have a build date of 7/05 or newer to qualify...