I'm nearing my first oil change under the dealer maintenance program
on my MINI S. I was wondering what the mileage window is on this,
specifically, how early can I bring it in without them charging me?

Also I'm considering switching to synthetic when I go in - what's
the additional cost for this and is it worth it?

Thanks in advance!

 

It depends on the dealer. I was 500 miles to go when I had Alice in for something else, and they said "Do you want to do the oil change while we have the car?" Of course, I said yes. I've read other people say that the milage to oil change has to be at 0 before their dealer will do it for free. Ask your dealer.
MINIs come with synthetic oil as standard. No upgrade necessary.

 

I'm bringing mine in for the first scheduled change on Friday. I have 10,500 miles on the car, but the schedule counter says I have 500 miles to go till service. The Service Manager said they will change the oil anytime the counter is within 1,000 miles. (I already did the first changed myself at 5,000 miles BTW).
The policy probably varies by dealer, so give them a call.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info!

Matt

 

I have 7700 miles, myservice meter says 4000 to go, that = 11700miles before it needs its 10000mile service! Do I go by the 4000 to go or take it in at 10000 :???:

 

"Do I go by the 4000 to go or take it in at 10000"

The computer monitors the type of driving you do and detemines when the car needs an oil change. Just wait until the service indicator says you need the change. btw, don't worry about the long mileage intervals -- some cars have a fixed 15K oil change interval these days.

The only caveat is that you need to check the oil level between changes and replenish it when necessary. But I wonder how many MINI owners actually do this...

 

>>"Do I go by the 4000 to go or take it in at 10000"
>>
>>The computer monitors the type of driving you do and detemines when the car needs an oil change. Just wait until the service indicator says you need the change. btw, don't worry about the long mileage intervals -- some cars have a fixed 15K oil change interval these days.
>>
>>The only caveat is that you need to check the oil level between changes and replenish it when necessary. But I wonder how many MINI owners actually do this...
>>

the computer counts the miles and turns the light on at 10K. The most sophisticated oil condition monitors in production today only count the number of given events (like how many times you start your car) and light up the idiot light. We are not that far away from true oil condition monitors (huge mining equipment and locomotives already uses some) until then......mineral oil = 3 to 6 K miles. synthetic 10K to 15K miles (watch the level...just cuz it is synthetic it does not mean it don't burn. It does evaporate a lot slower though.)
Please note not oils are the same and you REALLY should use the one reccommended by the factory if you are gonna do extended drains...... :smile:

 

Mini of Towson say's it has to be within 200 miles for them to do the
oil change for free.

 

I was told by my dealer upon delivery that all service intervals were 10K miles, whereas the warranty info says 10K for first service and 15K thereafter. Nonetheless, I called the dealer at 20K to make sure that I was, indeed, due a service even though the computer was reading another 11K before oil service. The MINI sales people said yes, it was every 10K. So I took it in to service and they performed what should have been the 25K service (including oil) at a bit below the 20K mark on the odo, and despite the fact that the computer said I was nowhere near due. No questions were asked and no charge was levied.

So the moral, I suppose, is that it depends on your dealer.

And I, personally, am compromising on 6K interval oil changes, for the sake of my filter, which is not nearly as advanced as the computers monitoring my driving style. :smile:

 

Who is your dealer, Toast? I'm amazed that he is changing the oil 6k miles before its time. Most dealers are pretty sticky with the mileage (+/- 500 miles)

As someone on this post mentioned, the "time" when the service engine light comes on depends on one's driving style. Personally I believe it boils down to the number of rpm's (millions or gazillions) that the MINI accumulates, with the on board computer determining a set number being the recommended threshold for oil change. If a person uses a lot of low gears (and correspondingly higher rpm's) compared to another who mostly drives at top gear (after shifting up, of course) it would be no surprise to me to see the service engine light come on even though he/she has fewer than 25k miles for the oil change interval.

In your case, Toast, I would guess that you are probably "spirited" driver, n'est ce pas?

_________________
<P><img src="https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t;</img>
Don't hassle me. I'm driving as fast as I possibly can</P>

 

My dealer in Texas (Moritz) said within 500 miles. I called them to check on this, but then that last 500 miles ticked off much quicker than expected, probably because I drive city miles mostly. In the end, my service intervals actully wind up occuring, according to the computer, way before 10K miles. I go with what the computer says but, when in doubt, I call and ask.

 

Z... My dealer is MINI of Pittsburgh--and that early service is the ONLY nice thing their service department has ever done for me...

And not to shoot your theory, but I'm a really conservative driver... Generally O

 

Right now I'm about 600 miles till the car says it's time. The trip to the dealer will take up about 220 of those miles. I go on Friday.

 

I checked with my mini dealer, just had my first service at 11,990-- they said for warrenty to cover the oil change it has to be within 500 miles of the service indicator.

The second service is not for another 15k mi after the first is done. Isnt that a bit strange? Being a bit old school.... 15k mi seems really long to go without an oil change!!!!!

Anyone running a different synthetic other than what MINI puts in the engine? I am thinking about starting to do my own oil changes @ 5,000 miles... Thinking about running Mobil Synthetic... I hear thats the best for engines. Anyone else have any input on that?

 

Mobil is OK if your going to change the oil every 5K miles. You could use Redline 5w30 and go the 15K miles between changes without concern. That Redline is great stuff. Best on the market IMHO. http://www.redlineoil.com

 

>>Mobil is OK if your going to change the oil every 5K miles. You could use Redline 5w30 and go the 15K miles between changes without concern. That Redline is great stuff. Best on the market IMHO.

MINI recommends-
Castrol Full synthetic oil. (go to Walmart and find it cheap about $4.99 per quart)

Other options-
Mobil One (goes on sale at Checkers in my area- watch the ads for $3.99 per quart!)
Amsoil
Redline (way expensive!)

If you change oil every 3000 to 5000 miles it doesn't really matter which oil you choose.

My dealer offered to change my oil about 900 miles early at a bit over 10,000 miles when I brought it in for a PCV valve and hose replacement.

 

I'm pretty sure the oil you buy at the dealer is just rebadged Castrol Syntec.

Mobil One can also be purchased at Costco for less than what Checkers charges.

Other synthetics are Royal Purple and Synergyn.

 

Dealers have flexibility on this. It pays to call and ask. If you don't live near your dealer (mine is two hours away--it means taking a day off work) you should let them know; they will be more likely to accommodate.

 

>>
>>MINI recommends-
>>Castrol Full synthetic oil. (go to Walmart and find it cheap about $4.99 per quart)
>>

Compare Wal-Mart prices with your dealer. I just picked up a quart of MINI branded Castrol Full Synthetic (from Hank Aaron MINI in Union City, GA) for $4.00 + sales tax. The local prices for Castrol branded were in the $5.00+ range.