Hi everyone -

I would like to know if you guys/gals trust your local auto-repair shop to give your little baby an oil change. Because I plan to use Mobil 1, it doesn't really save me any money, but since I plan to change my oil more frequently than MINI recommends, the local shop promised that they wouldn't reset my oil change maintainence counter, so I can still get those by MINI as scheduled. Would you trust them?

Also: does getting an oil change by non-MINI people void your warranty??


Thanks!

 

sure, but it's really easy to do yourself
not unless they do something negligent, like forget to put the oil or the
filter in, or fail to tighten the plug or filter housing.
they should use a 5/30 synthetic oil (Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, and many others
are considered fully synthetic for this purpose).

 

No and No.

If you want an intermediate oil change, go to an independent shop specializing in MINIs, BMWs, Mercedes, etc.

NEVER to Jiffy Lube type place

 

I would counter Cristo slightly....

If you have never changed your oil ever... and don't have the proper tools.... The spring loaded oil filter arrangement requires a little patience... but it is absolutely do-able by beginners that follow step by step...

 

well, I do trust my local auto repair shop, but that's a trust that's
been earned over time.
then again, there's a lot of local shops around here that I don't trust,
which includes all the jiffy lube types and several more.

 

I personally think their fine, I also think putting 89 Octane gas in the Cooper makes no diff. with 91 or higher octane.

Having said that, I dont take my car anywhere but MINI and I only put 91+ in my case

 

Well, I'm not talking about the Jiffy-Lubes (I would NEVER!!!), but I'm talking about a place that many people I know use, and have recommended (although I, myself, have never used their services). As for changing my own oil...well, I've never done it, ever, and I'm a little squeamish about these things unless I'm shown exactly how. Is changing the oil on a MINI signifcantly different than on any other car? If I have an idea, I could always let them know when I bring it in. What do you think?

 

the only thing 'different' from my other cars is that the filter is accessed
from the top of the motor and has a case.

my other cars i access the filter from the bottom of the car and does
not have a canister case thingie over the filter.

 

If the place services European Cars, fine. If it does only American, they you need to judge whether you want this place touching your car since they have no experience ...

How many MINIs have they serviced? None? Are you the guinea pig? Do you want to be the guinea pig?