i think ( i'll have to dig up a reciept ) my oil change was 80 at Rassmussen Mini. that was in July, but it's still alot of money. for the equivalent you could buy 3 oil filers and a case of Castrol syn. for a few oil changes.

 

any idea who has the best deal on filters online ?

 

Well given that my dealer quoted me a whopping $140, $80 sounds like quite a deal.

 

Wow $140. Are they extracting the oil too?

 

No idea - the second I heard that price I dropped it. Ridiculous...

 

Just curious for those with JCW Stage 1 kits, what the dealer charges for an oil change given the fact that you have to change the spark plugs every time you change the oil?

 

Perhaps you should recompute. Castrol Syntec is $6-7.00 a quart X 12 = $72.00. Doubt you'll find three oil filters for $20. the cheapest I've found filters is $12 each. I just had my oil changed in my 07 MCS and total came to $72.33.

 

MINI branded Castrol is $5.40 (This is what I paid at MINI of Mountain View. Price may vary at other dealers.)

Bavarian Autosport has 2007 MINI oil filters for $9.95

Still, adds up to more than $80. A DIY oil change should cost somewhere around $40 - $50 in oil & filters. So, $80 isn't too bad for a dealer. MINI of Mountain View charges $150 per hour labor.

 

The local CT Mini dealer charges $149.95 for an oil change.
I don't buy it, time to buy the filter from them and do it at the local trusted mechanic's shop.

 

[quote=lilruffcat;1964739]woah!!!

 

Yea, that's why it's so ridiculously expensive at my dealer (Otto's) as well. $140 in labor (as that's their hourly rate) plus parts.

I'll likely get it done over at Coast to Coast for $80 total. They did a great job on my spring install so I trust them, they're close and the price is pretty good. More than a DIY job, but such is living on a college campus...

 

Do you have the TLC package in the US like the UK.
MY service cost £150 for 5 yares or 60 000 miles which ever comes first.
At the first service they change the oil ,oil filter and particular filter.
Second service is the same as first plus brake fluid change and the third service goes back to the first service.

 

yup, but ours is free for 3 years

 

Just did an oil change at eastbay mini and my total cost was $80.00 (including oil, filter, and labor). Not bad at all

Cheers,
Roberto

 

$80 sounds reasonable.
I need a 1st change at 2000 miles.
Just got quoted $160 from concord.
Gonna change it at BBM tomorrow instead using factory parts.

 

yeah I just did my first 2500 miles change. 160 is way too much ! 80 for labor, oem stuff and BMW/MINI oil is a great price I think. I was in and out and they even washed the car

 

Geeeez People!! A simple check of the Oil Level every 30 days (or sooner if you want) will tell you whether or not you need to do an Oil Change. A Low Level, Oil Condition and your mileage will be the key indicators.
You're paying how much for this car and you gripe about a $115 Oil Change once a year??
Go buy a Kia!!

 

If you feel like its ok to give someone $120 LABOR for a simple oil and filter change, be my guest. I have to work 5 hours to pay that bill. I have been changing my own oil in my vehicles for the past 32 years and personally think its a insult to charge that much. It certainly does not take a "wrench" an hour to change the oil.

Anyone notice that Mobil 1 is now considered an approved oil to use in the mini according to the 2008 owners manual supplement?

 

The 2007 manual just specifies API SH, which I believe is much less stringent than the European ACEA A3. I suspect that a European manual would specify ACEA A3, and since that is difficult to find in the USA, we are given more lax specs. I still think ACEA A3 is the best choice for the MINI. The MINI's engine hasn't changed between 2007 & 2008.

 

I've owned BMW M3, 540 sport, Honda S2000 roadster, Mercedes Benz E430 and E55 AMG last 8 yrs, and I never had engine oil changed at any dealer. Engine oil services are done by the lowliest monkeys who usually are daydreaming and couldn't care less about your car. Don't even think about going to Jiffy Lube/Ed's 5 min oil change/Midas...


If you feel like you need to spend $150+ on an oil change at a dealer, go ahead. I take pride & enjoy doing my own using Mobil1, especially when it's so easy.

 

it's a little sad that after reading this post I thought the $100 I was quoted for an oil change at Mini of Towson was 'reasonable'....lol.

i just made a separate post about my first DIY oil change. I ended up saving about $50 bucks and the hassle of getting to the dealer...however, I can TOTALLY sympathize with people who can't or don't want to do their own oil changes.

Many people don't have access to the tools, truly don't have the know-how, don't have garages or even drive-ways at a house. Many communities are even hostile toward people working on their cars in front of their houses/townhomes!

I was actually thinking I can see why it might be easier to just pay someone a REASONABLE price to do all that work. The oil change today was messy and I wasn't quite strong enough to un-do the filter housing at first (embarrassing I know but I am a petite girl with not enough muscle...for now!). But the feeling afterwards of having done the work myself and knowing it was done right made it worthwhile

 

You just needed a wrench with a longer handle (more leverage).

Using a catch pan that is also a container can make the job less messy. I use something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Wedco-Quart-Oi.../dp/B000I2UVPE