My feelings about service mode. When I was 20, hey guys look at me I gotta put it in service mode but now it's something I dread. What clip or panel is going to break this time on top of doing work just to do work?

Anywho, I tried a mishimoto drain plug snugged down slightly past factory torque spec. I am one of those guys, but on the flip side I will report back and let you know how I make out. I used nickel anti-sieze on the threads fwiw.

 

not once a year...cars over 150000km should be done every 8000km...i do my R53 ever 6000km...cars done 173000km

 

I,m on my second drain plug after 17 years and 166K miles and have had no issues; still dry around the plug when I change oil ((every 5K-7K miles). Can someone show me where BMW/Mini says to replace the plug at each oil change? All I've seen in the comments is that advice is coming from Haynes, Mini Mania, and ECS, some of whom just may have a vested interest in that advice. The only thing I've learned (learnt to you Brits) from this forum is that a 1/2" socket fits the best without rounding off the bolt head. (That's the reason I'm on my second.)

 

the reason for the 'replace' is the plastic gasket built into the bung. On most cars - including MINI after GEN1 - you replace a metal seal (crush washer). With the GEN1 you replace the seal by replacing the bung.

Just another reason I recommend the Fumoto valve for a GEN1 ....