I recieved my car on 4/12/07 and broke the car in properly for the 1st 1K and then gradually went up from there. Since then I've had a change in my job where I've got to use the car for work and for the past 3 monthes have been averaging 5-600 miles a week between getting to and from work and "work miles". I also made a trip to the Dragon where I put 1550 miles on the car, in 3 days total, going to and from and "driving" the Dragon 2 days in a row, not to mention the Cherahola Skyway too. I've also made a trip to Chicago as well as Grand Rapids too. As of today my car has 14.9K on the clock and OBC is telling me I've got 8K more to go, but I'm sure its going to down more quickly then that, right. I can't see the car going 23K before needing its first oil change. While I was at the dealership today I spoke to the SA and she said and I quote "WOW!, you must baby your car!" I must say that I don't beat the crap out of it, but drive rather drive the car in a "spirited" manner. I've also added some oil over this period of time as well, how about you guys, for those who are "going by the book", or the OBC:

-How long did you go or how long do you have to go

-Have you had to add oil to the car and if so, how much

 

If you are going by the recommended interval, I say trust it 100%. I have not heard of any engine failure because someone followed the OBC in a BMW.

 

I'd like to know too, i have 2000 miles on my car and the computer has not changed since i bought the car, it still says 15,000 miles until an oil change is needed

 

It will actually go up, mine did, all the way to 18K and then worked its way down. I'm trusting it based on the fact that the oil filter must be a superior one because synthetic oil doesn't break down like regular oil, so I feel pretty good there. Does anyone know if the oil filter used in the MINI's has synthetic media inside it?

 

It is probably the nature of the driving that affects the mileage to service number, rather than the oil quality. If you are doing a lot of hwy driving it will tend to increase. celica414 may be doing a fair amount of city driving or short trips for it to stay at 15K.

 

For most of us by the time we reach 12,000 to 16,000 the dash lights say it's time to change oil but my dealership says if one year has gone by and your mileage isn't much then they just do an oil change early.

Same would apply to anyone that could make one year with any mileage. Talk to your service dept and tell them your situation and what they recommend. Check your oil level regularly if you have quite a few miles on between changes, as it might drop a little and need a 1/2 quart along the way.

 

You may need a software update.

I went in last week to get an Ipod interface installed, along with the OEM Sirius radio. When I took it in, the OBC said it still had 15,000 miles before the first oil change.

The software download didn't hold and they had to keep the car to try again with the software. when I picked it up on Thursday, suddenly it said I only had 8,000 miles to go before that oil change.

 

I've driven 6,000+ miles since August 8 07 and the next oil change is 13,000 miles I think. I'll edit this post if I find out any change. I don't abuse my car but I'm always in 1st place on the road. =)

 

Thanks for all the info so far guys, I'm sure others have wondered about this too and I'm sure it helps them out as well

 

Molly now has 13,000 miles on her odometer. Most of my driving is low-rpm and highway driving, no trips shorter than 7 miles, so it's ideal for long oil life. My computer now says service is due in 11,000 miles or 3/2009. It had stayed at 15,000 miles and 3/2009 since April 30 when Molly was delivered.

A phone call to the service manager . . . . He says to bring her in at 15,000 on the odometer, regardless of what the computer says.

 

You car & your choice, but at 14.9 K mine was already on it's second oil change. Oil & filters are cheap compared to
engines.