In these tough economic times, shelling out $120 for an oil change at my local dealership when I could potentially do myself is a no brainer. Thing is, I have never done it (just passed my free service coverage.) I have changed the oil on other cars before and would appreciate any pointers/ explanations on how this should be done.
INFO: 2005 MINI Cooper S - 40,000 miles.

 

Just follow your normal oil change procedure. Be sure to have another paper element to replace. Getting the oil filter back on can be tricky to keep it from cross threading, but applying perpendicular pressure toward the housing and a little toward the exhaust headers helps.

There are actually a few DIYs for this somewhere on here.

 

Here's a good one...

http://www.lonestarminiclub.com/foru...read.php?t=411

 

Got several oil change tutorials in the DIY section that have helped me.

 

Be very careful when threading the canister back on that the rubber "O" ring does not get caught up in threads. Oil the O-ring and make sure it fits snug on the canister.

It's a do-able DIY, but not the easiest I have ever done. Pretty tight to work in the filter area.

 

The DIY articles here are a big help. Something else you may want to do is see if there is a MINI club in your area. Clubs often have tech/mod days where different maintenance items are done. These can be beneficial since you will be doing the work with someone who has done the same thing before and can give you some help and answer questions as you go along. My club (St Louis MINI Club) just had a Tech Day last month and I learned how to do an oil change, but was also able to see how to change brake pads and rotors, spark plugs and other things.

 

Two hints:

1. A number of folks have had problems getting the drain plug out, myself included on 2 different cars. Be very very sure your wrench/socket fits tight. I find that a 1/2 inch fits better than the metric recommended. Consider getting a FUMOTO valve to replace the plug and never worry about this again.

2. Practice putting the filter canister on a couple of times without the filter insert so you learn what it feels like. Then, when you actually have the o-ring and filter in the can, press down HARD while turning to get it to thread. It takes a good bit of pressure as compared to a typical spin on filter. You'll probably need a wrench to get it all the way on.


PM me an e-mail address that will accept attachments and I'll send you a good DIY that I saved in WORD format. Lot's of pictures.

 

- Use a 6-point socket on the drain plug instead of a 12-point so you do not round the drain plug.
- Get something like the toeoutperformance.com oil change kit that includes oil, filter, new drain plug and injector cleaner.
- Get a shortened 36mm socket to remove the canister.
- After removing the old filter push the new filter into the engine block pipe to expand the hole in the filter. Then remove the new filter. Then push it into the canister to get the filter fitted properly. This will make it much easier to get the canister threaded back on.
- Read up on how to reset the service interval counter.
- Read the NAM Alliance Magazine article on DIY oil change. Includes instructions to reset interval counter.

 

Whatever you do. Don't buy a STP oil filter. Stick with OEM.