I went to New Country MINI in Hartford for an early first oil change at ~ 10K. The service advisor told me it was probably smart because of the fact I bought the car used and that an early first oil change was not a bad idea. However he said that the even though he was happy to take my money that future interval oil changes were unneccessary. Meaning that the scheduled oil changes is perfect. Anything more would be an 'overkill'.

 

Sending your oil off for analysis in 5,000 to 10,000 miles from now will tell whether he is correct or not.

 

I plan on keeping my MCS. So I change the oil every 5k miles. If you plan on keeping it change the oil if you will trade it in a couple of years the regular service will be fine.

 

However, noone has proof that the car needs that frequent of an oil change. Why would a service advisor not advise more oil changes? It means more money in his pocket.

 

You're right that there is no proof that we need more frequent oil changes than what MINI recommends, but most people on here including myself feel better doing one in between the 15k intervals. Some even more often.

I know Mike, the SA at New Country, he's a good guy that has a MCS and he's not just there to take your money. He knows what it's like to be a customer "on the other side" of the service counter. He's been the SA there for quite a while, so rest easy that you're in good hands having your MINI serviced at New Country.

 

The oil was designed to go around 15k miles without needing to be changed, and the engine was designed to go around 15k miles without needing an oil change.
That said, I'm changing mine at 1k, and then every 5k. It may be a waste of time and money, but, at around $35 per change, it's cheap insurance, as far as I'm concerned, and it's my time and my money.

 

At least one person has posted oil analysis reports in one of the various oil change threads here. IIRC, with that particular car the report indicated it would be better to change it before 15,000 miles. Different driving conditions can make a difference in how long the oil lasts, one size does not fit all.

MINI does not do warranty oil changes every 15,000 miles. They do it when your OBC says it is time, or at one year intervals (whichever comes first). With some cars that can go beyond the 15,000 mile marker. It is difficult to predict from your current OBC reading. Mine started at 15,000, went up to 19,000 when I has about 3,000 on the car, and is now down to 10,000 with 6,500 on the car. It is anyone's guess as to how many miles it will be when it says 0 to go.

There are considerable marketing pressures on car makers and oil companies to give the customer extended intervals between oil changes. This is a significant selling point for many people I know. So, the compromise in engine life that MINI is willing to accept, in exchange for Matching Mercedes and Porsche, is probably higher than I'm willing to accept when compared to $40 for an extra oil change.

 

MINI says they pay for regular service. If an advisor says more oil changes are needed he would be contradicting MINI. This would put the dealership in a difficult position - they sell a car telling the buyer they do not need to pay for maintenance, then tell them that additional service is suggested but the buyer has to pay for it.

 

I agree that more often is definitely better, although this too will get debated. Yesterday, I heard Pat Goss (of Motorweek) again mention that the recommended 10-15,000 mile intervals as being too long in his opinion as well - he stated what I practice - every 5-7,500 miles is way better for the engine.
He also stated that an oil-change at break-in is truly unnecessary as the filters will trap any impurities and "shavings" are virtually non-existent given today's manufacturing techniques. Still, I'm thinking I'll do the 1,200 mile oil change and then every 5-7500 miles thereafter.

Greg