Just did my first oil change on my 07 MCS at 1k. I followed Chad directions and it was a piece of cake. Thanks Chad, you made it so easy.

 

How many miles were you at and how did the oil look?

 

I had 1000 miles. Wanted to change and get the contaminates and possible metal shaving out. The oil was dark brown, not black but close. I will now change it every 5K and rotate tire every 5K.

 

My experience is that the BMW oil (Castrol, I think) gets darker and dirtier than Mobil1. Don't know why this should be, or if it really matters, but the Mobil1 never gets dark brown like the BMW stuff, even though I do changes at the mileage same interval (5k). The BMW stuff is also darker when new. I guess the formulations are very different, even though they meet the same "spec".

 

Actually, the don't meet the exact same spec. Mobil 1 5W-30 meets ACEA A1/A5 spec. while the MINI branded Castrol meets the higher ACEA A3/B3 spec. A3 has a higher viscosity at operating temp. IIRC, the USA specs don't measure this, or at least not as tightly as the ACEA specs. Our USA manuals use the broader API SH, but the UK manual says ACEA A3/B3.

If you want a Mobil 1 that meets both ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01, get Mobil 1 0W-40.

 

Sorry I didn't specify the exact type, but I use Mobil1 0w40. It's sometimes hard to find at the auto store, but Walmart has it.

 

I will be getting my Mini here in a few days, what type of oil should i use?

 

MINI says use Castrol 5-30 full synthetic. The dealership will tell you that you don't have to change it and if you don't plan on keeping the car you may not want to. If you are going to keep the car for a while I would change it 1st at 1K and then every 5k miles.

 

My Clubman comes in next week, and I'll also be doing a first change at 1k, then every 5k after that. I will use Mobil1 0w40 and a MINI OEM filter. I drive about 7,500 miles per year, and much of it is short trips in cold weather, which can be hard on any engine. If I was driving 10k-15k per year mostly highway speeds, I'd probably stretch the changes to 7.5k. I'm still a non-believer when it comes to 15k intervals between changes, even with full synthetic oil.

 

You want an 5W-30 oil that meets the European ACEA A3/B3 spec. and, depending on how often you plan to change the oil, BMW LL-01 or better rating. I found that the MINI branded Castrol was the best deal. Available from any MINI dealer. However, they may not all charge the same price. I paid $5.40 qt. The BMW branded oil is the same stuff, but can cost more.

See this thread for other choices:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=128096

 

This is a situation where the USA recommendation is more lax than the European recommendation.

Castrol 5W-30 meets API SH, but not the European ACEA A3/B3.
Castrol SYNTEC 0W–30 European Formula does meet the ACEA A3/B3 rating.

My personal preference is to go with the more narrow specs that the UK manual recommends. I believe that is what the engine was designed for. If you are very gentle to your car, it may not matter. If you like to drive it hard, autoX, or go for track days, I'd go for the A3 oil.

 

doesn't the weather (colder climates, or hotter climates) also tell you which weight of oil is best for your car?

 

Not with MINI. They recommend 5-30 only.

 

I reallllllllly need to change mine I have 14K on the car with original oil. My OBC still says 8,000 miles to go. I got oil filters on the way now and once they come I will be doing an oil change in my driveway hopefully withint the next couple of days.

 

If I follow the 1,000 and 5,000 Oil Change recommendation here, but have the Dealer do all of them will my Warranty be affected?? I know it costs approx. $80+, but I'm not inclined to do them myself.

 

Scheduled dealer oil changes aside,this is my choice every 5k.You can pick it up at Autozone for around $6.50 a quart.

 

Looks good. Did you win an mp3 player?

 

Nope!...and I bought six quarts!

 

Is the first recommended oil change at 1k or 1.5k miles?
I'm assuming all the dealerships work off of appointments?
Anyone know long long it takes them to change it (particularly Mini of Sterling in VA?)

 

The first MINI recommended oil change is when your onboard computer says so, or one year -- whichever comes first.

The first NGOCF* recommended oil change is just after break-in (1,200 miles).

*NGOCF -- NAM Gang of Oil Change Fanatics.

 

No, a MINI dealer would not do anything that voided your warranty.

The only way a DIY oil change would void warranty is if MINI could show that it actually caused the damage.

 

Glad the article Chad wrote for the Alliance Magazine was a help to you. We sure do like to hear your comments. We'll have another How To by Chad in Issue 2 and hope to have him continue.

 

Where is there a write up for the Second Generation Mini? I only found the First Generation when i did a search... I am pretty sure the filter is not in the same spot cause I don't see it...

 

Thanks! I"ll have to play w/ my buttons some more to find out about the oil. =)

 

Here's a question, some have reported needing a torx-T50 socket for the oil plug and some have said they used an allen wrench. What have most people with 2008 MCS used?