My first oil change was done at about 6K miles since I was going to be driving across country (dealership had no problem doing an early oil change). The dealership reset my counters at that time. I now am close to 20K miles but my indicator says that I'm still about 5K from an oil change. April is my 1 year mark since my first oil change.

I tried to schedule service for later this month (dealership is out of town) and was told that I'd have to pay for it unless I waited until April.

Am I being paranoid about the mileage? Is the dealer being **** about the date?

 

I have no problem waiting to get my oil changed when the computer says to and I'm curious to hear a viable reason not to wait. All those old school reasons for doing it back when it was a real problem don't apply, yet those that do it more often have only cited the old reasons which have no scientific basis concerning the engines today. The only cars that have it done about every 5000miles don't use synthetic oil and even those auto mfrs say it doesn't have to be that often if you don't do a lot of stop and go driving. Taxi's are recommended to have theirs changed around 3k I think. So why would folks that drive as little as we do, use fully synthetic oil with an engine designed to be driven a bit hard for fun "need" to change it more often than the designing engineers decided on?

There are those that say it's a ploy to get us to destroy our engine so they the dealers can what? Sell us a new engine? Sell us a new car? If my cars engine fails due to oil changes not taking place often enough(haven't heard of one case of this yet) then I won't buy that car again(especially if I followed the mfrs instructions). Now if you drive the crap outta your car(race it, popping the clutch, abusing more than is prudently necessary) then yeah, by all means change the oil more often. Heck it's your money, but let common sense be your guide. Not some "skyisfalling" pseudo-engineer whose big claim to fame is changing their oil every 3k when all significant experts say it isn't necessary.

So yeah. I think you might be a tad paranoid. But to each their own, but don't expect the dealership to go against what's written as a rule for them. That'd be silly.

 

Also, according to the "Ask a Service Advisor" post recently released on MotoringFile, the computer is even supposed to be compensating for how you drive the car in its recommended intervals. If you track the car and drive it very hard, it will recommend an earlier service. So I can't see much reason to do things any earlier than the indicator says.

Details here, in the Scheduled Maintenance Basics column:

http://motoringfile.com/2006/03/02/a...visor-answers/

 

The "system" is based on how closed and well sealed an engine is. "Back in the day" (am i even old enough to say that?) the oil system wasn't well sealed and lots of impurities snuck in, thus, the need to change the oil every 3000 miles. When you introduce impurities, the oil looses its ability to lubricate.

The MINIs oil system is so sealed and efficient that it is really tough for impurities to sneak there way into the oil. So it's not going to be bad if you wait until the system tells you to change it.

It's not like oil looses its oilyness. (if thats even a word)

If you want to change it sooner, then go ahead, it's not like it will hurt your car. But there really isn't a need for it.

 

I didn't do my FIRST oil change until the computer told me to.

At 12,000 miles.

Zero problems with the car, too.

I figure if people who actually took engineering courses in school and are qualified to design engines have confidence in the computer's estimations, then I figure that's good enough for me. If they're wrong, then I guess I'll get a different make of car when this one explodes. :-p

 

As I recall, per the manual the oil is to be changed once a year even if the mileage/computer are not indicating it. I have had BMWs changed under the maint warranty based on this and it was not a problem. Consult the manual and point this out to the SA, they may not be aware of it. I beleive that the brake flush and coolant flush are time based as well adn should be done at certain intervals regardless of the mileage.

I think the computer calculations, by the way, as simply based on gas consumption or the like (someone correct me if I'm wrong) - in any case I would stick to once a year at a minimum if you do not drive the car much, or 5-7k miles if you do. Better safe then sorry as they say

 

That's the part that ticks me off. That the deal won't take me 3 weeks before my 1 year mark.

 

Sorry, I saw the part about the computer and thought it was part of the equation. Well, they may not be able to get it reimbursed as warranty work if it does not strictly fall under the guidelines which leaves them no choice.

 

Hmmm..this is all good to know, since I too will be taking lil Vic on a long road trip soon, and wanted to get an oil change/check and refill the fluids...maybe I shouldn't bother???

 

i would change it once a year or the countdown indicator milage whichever
comes first.

 

You should check and top off the oil and other fluids at least once a month. I don't, but I know I should.

 

the "in service" date was 12/31/04. I was supposed to bring it in a year later per the manual. I called the dealer and they asked "what does the meter say?". I still had over 1500 miles left as of JAN 1. They said not to call until it reads 500 miles. It read 500 miles this morning and I finally reached 9000 miles time for my 1st service scheduled for Tue.

 

1) There's more in the oil than just the oil. All the other stuff brakes down. If you do some googling, you'll find that even the best synthetics have changes in them at the 8-10k mile mark.... The breakdown of the additives, and the change induced by the chemicals from the next section, along with the build up of metals, is what makes the changes....

2) The biggest source of stuff into the crankcase is from blow-by gases from the power stroke. Some from the compression stroke as well. That means you get raw fuel, exhaust gasses, and water vapor (technically and exhaust gas too) into your oil. No matter how "sealed" the crank case is. Sealing the crankcase is for emissions, and the gasses go out the breather line and get sucked into the intake to get burned, and not vent directly to the air.

3) The car will consume some oil on it's own. If you're seeing very, very long service intervals for the oil change, you better be checking the dipstick, and topping off. Otherwise you'll find less oil than you should have at the oil change mark.

Because of all this, going to the full 15k (or more) probably isn't the best of ideas, but not that bad. But with the quality of a good synthetic oil, going every 3000 miles (like some do) is a waste. If you just want some added protection, change the filter at 6k or so and add oil to make up for what you take out, and top off as needed.

Matt

 

I wouldn't ever consider running that long on oil. Regular dino or synthetic. I believe manufacturers are pushing for longer drain intervals for a couple of reasons. One is the annual operating costs of the car are less. The other in MINI's case is they only have to do a couple of changes before you are out of the free maintenance & warranty. Saves them money. Once your car is out of warranty they really don't care if you've worn the motor out. "You have worn rings & cylinders buddy, that'll take a new engine to fix, please pay the cashier on the way out $$$$".

For all of my cars it's 5,000 miles or 6 months with Mobil One synthetic.

 

D&R told me not to even call them before I was within 250 miles. I will trust them. 6000 more miles to go untill MIB's first change

 

No one expects long oil change intervals to effect the running of a car until the mileage is high. You could probably never change your oil and run 100,000 miles with "no problems". If you intend to keep the car for say, 200,000 miles or more, it's the high mileage time in the engines life where the lack of early more frequent oil changes will be felt, possibly in increased oil consumption, lower compression/power, nosier valve train, etc.. Not having any problems with long oil change intervals with a relativelly low mileage MINI is not an indicator that very extended, (>6-7,000 miles), intervals are a good thing.

 

That stinks - I'd consider changing dealers if they are not going to do/advise doing what is correct - or at least make sure that they do it as indicated in the manual.

Here is a quote from Motoringfile's "Ask a MINI Service Advisor: "

"If you come in for an annual service and do not have the minimum recommended mileage then your MINI will receive an Annual LOW mileage oil service and the service indicator should not be reset. You should return to your MINI dealer either 1 year from that date of this service or when the SII reads 300 miles to go (whichever comes first) in order to receive a FULL Oil service. The oil and filter will be changed again along with the cabin micro filter. Wiper blade inserts can also be changed when the service is done only if needed and if they have not been replaced by an aftermarket blade. "

That is how it should be done, not ignore the manual and wait another quarter of a year for their convenience

Link here: http://motoringfile.com/2006/03/02/a...visor-answers/

 

Thanks eVal for the link

Yeah, I know it sucks. I read the manual AND called MINI USA to confirm when I was supposed to get the first service. (for those in Chicago.. Patrick MINI) The lady I spoke to (twice in fact) said my service would not be covered by the warranty if I came in before the SII read 500. Is this true? Normally I'm a stickler when it comes to oil changes and regular maintenance. I had a '94 Saturn with 80k miles as a daily driver. Never missed an oil change. Every 3 mos like clockwork.

My MINI is my daily driver. But I'm lucky if I get 1500 miles in 3 months. At my current pace, I'm looking at 1000 miles every 6-7 weeks. When is the next scheduled maintenance after the first one?

 

The service interval DOES take that into consideration, the "System" is based on fuel consumption.

Even so, I still change my oil about every 6k miles.

 

It sounds like you may have been talking to the appointment person, the frontline deals with people over the phone who doesn't really know much beyond telling people to wait for the service lights - did you actually speak with an SA and get denied? I know that when I had oil done at a year mark vs miles with a bimmer I spoke with a tech who agreed to the oil change based on time; when it came to the 2 year brake flush I just referred to the manual when I brought it in and it was done. I am always ready with the page copied on stuff like that

Apparently the line about the 500 miles is not true, they should have done the low mileage change based on time. Keep track of it since it sounds like you will be due next March

 

I bought mine used... so I'm not familiar with the personel at that dealer. She probably just books the appmts. It's close to work and (after reading all of the local threads) I decided to go there. I have a list of stuff to ask when I go next week. Hopefully my experience will match or exceed the reputation I've read so much about. I'm curious if they're going to look over my roof for premature roof wear. I wonder how MINI dealerships treat cutomers who didn't purchase their MINI from them ? Anyone?

 

it's pretty controlled and rather surprising. It found that Mobil one and Amsoil do last quite a long time, longer than other studies I'd read, providing you do top ups and filter changes...

Here are the mobil one results....
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/mobil1.html

Here are the Amsoil ones....
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/amsoil.html

Based on these results, if you do filter changes and top ups, you're fine with Mobil 1, Amsoils thickens, but oil quality was good.

Matt

 

The post says that april is the year mark. Honestly, There is an indicator, then there is the 1 year clause, now people want it sooner. I don't get it.

Belive me, The dealerships want all the work they can get and those types of jobs are cake. If waranty will cover it, they'll be glad to book it. Most places check what you arer due for anyway, so brake/coolant flushes, etc... should be no problem IF you are due.

 

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.

 

Actually BMW does have a reputation for very high maint. costs due to issues past warranty and plenty of people have reliability issues with them long term. The thing is the market is such that many owners lease or buy to own for 3-4 years, and the used/long term market does nothing to tarnish the reputation or effect new car sales, esp with a status car like BMW that is already known to have a high cost of ownership. Is BMW ever at the top of Consumer Reports or JD Powers? Nope, but people like to drive them and their sales are fine based on driving gratification and status, not long term reliability and I think its pretty much the same with MINI. We'll have to wait to really see how the cars last and consider cars who receive the bare maint. MINI dictates - again, though, I do not think it will really impact the reputation new car sales, or even used car sales since car buying is so wrapped up in perceived value then the reality of issues that most people do not know about.

It is not a conspiracy per se, but just a marketing plan - it looks good to say they offer this maintenence a sales tool and keep the actual cost as low as possible while stretching the oil to or perhaps past its limits of effectiveness. What they suggest may be fine or maybe not, but if it isn't it won't be BMW/MINI's problem because the car will be past warranty when the sludge or whatnot causes problems. As always, better safe then sorry and change the oil more frequently - simply put BMW is not looking out for your best interests.