R50/53 Oil Change Hassle?
Yep....
Originally Posted by Strife
I don't think it's a MINI/BMW conspiracy. If they want to retain the long term value of their brand name, the suggestions in the manual will be accurate for the long term welfare of your car and engine.
Matt
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 415
Likes: 14
Despite the "goodness" of sythetics and MINI's stance on extended interval changes, I can't quite bring myself to going 12-14K between changes. I drive so easy (it's a 28 mile no stoplight commute) that my computer told me 14,000 miles. I change it twice before that point. Is it necessary? Probably not. But for the peace of mind I get for the long term if I decide to keep this car or for the potential for an easier sale later (to an individual) it's worth the extra $75 or so (DIY) for those two extra oil changes.
Hi Super Coop
Originally Posted by Super Coop
Despite the "goodness" of sythetics and MINI's stance on extended interval changes, I can't quite bring myself to going 12-14K between changes. I drive so easy (it's a 28 mile no stoplight commute) that my computer told me 14,000 miles. I change it twice before that point. Is it necessary? Probably not. But for the peace of mind I get for the long term if I decide to keep this car or for the potential for an easier sale later (to an individual) it's worth the extra $75 or so (DIY) for those two extra oil changes.
Matt
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
Yes, well I have a question. I'd like to change my oil at around 4000-5000 miles just for the initial oil change. I'd like to go to my MINI dealer to do this, but if I do, will they reset the mileage, so that I won't get another oil change for 10K+ at MINI's expense, or will they leave it alone so that if I get an oil change at 5000, they'll still cover the next one at 5000?
Strife >>
Well yes that does happen. The saying that fits is penny wise & dollar foolish.
Audi & VW have already had oiling related issues on their 1.8T motors. Audi pays for all maintenance for 4 years or 40,000 miles. On my wifes Audi A4 they changed the oil every 10,000 miles or one year.
With 32,000 miles on her A4 the oil light comes on. It's got a crankcase full of oil & a bunch of oil gallies full of sludge. Yes they saved a few bucks on the oil changes, but then had the cost of a new engine.
They also lost a repeat Audi owner.
I guess we are lucky it's still under warranty & she's leasing so it's Audi's problem not ours.
Forgot to mention that Audi used regular Dino oil & not synthetic in their turbo motor.
Do what you will, but a change of oil every 5,000 is a whole lot cheaper than what may be down the road if one does 10,000 between changes.
And then that car manufacturer gets a reputation for making cars that have a lot of problems when the warranty expires and the resale value of their cars turns to crap and suddenly the VW GTI starts picking up all the sales that MINI isn't making anymore. They saved $50 worth of oil at the expense of not being able to sell you another $25,000 vehicle?
Audi & VW have already had oiling related issues on their 1.8T motors. Audi pays for all maintenance for 4 years or 40,000 miles. On my wifes Audi A4 they changed the oil every 10,000 miles or one year. With 32,000 miles on her A4 the oil light comes on. It's got a crankcase full of oil & a bunch of oil gallies full of sludge. Yes they saved a few bucks on the oil changes, but then had the cost of a new engine. They also lost a repeat Audi owner. I guess we are lucky it's still under warranty & she's leasing so it's Audi's problem not ours. Forgot to mention that Audi used regular Dino oil & not synthetic in their turbo motor.
Do what you will, but a change of oil every 5,000 is a whole lot cheaper than what may be down the road if one does 10,000 between changes.
Every other one should be free. 5,000 each seems reasonable. Just don't reset the counter when you do your change. Let it count to their oil change mileage & get the free one done.
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Originally Posted by Strife
And then that car manufacturer gets a reputation for making cars that have a lot of problems when the warrenty expires and the resale value of their cars turns to crap and suddenly the VW GTI starts picking up all the sales that MINI isn't making anymore. They saved $50 worth of oil at the expense of not being able to sell you another $25,000 vehicle?
I don't think it's a MINI/BMW conspiracy. If they want to retain the long term value of their brand name, the suggestions in the manual will be accurate for the long term welfare of your car and engine.
I don't think it's a MINI/BMW conspiracy. If they want to retain the long term value of their brand name, the suggestions in the manual will be accurate for the long term welfare of your car and engine.
If your nervous, just change it, even if you pay. Small price for piece of mind.
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