Hi Guys:

Hooray! Bette has passed the 1200 miles engine break-in But now, from all I've read here, it seems time for the first oil change...

I have NEVER changed the oil in a car before.

Sooo...what gives? Can I do it by following the step-by-step directions here? Should I book it in with the dealer (Long Beach MINI), and ask to hang around? Is there an independent MINI service place here in Orange County, CA that you folks know of that I can visit, watch and learn... thoughts/advice appreciated.

P.S. In a DIY situation, where do you dispose of the used oil? And isn't there a special MINI filter I'm supposed to get?

Thanks

 

It isn't difficult. Just read the DIY threads here (especially the one with pics). Try to read the whole thing for corrections and added info. You should change the oil and filter.

Many gas stations, garages, and auto supply stores will recycle oil, or direct you to a place that does.

 

I'll be due for a post break-in change in a few weeks too. I'm planning on DIY-ing unless I chicken out. I've changed my own oil in other cars for years, but never anything as small and tight as the MINI.

I would definitely look for a friend with oil changing experience to walk you through the first time. A MINI enthusiast would be even better.

Most places that sell motor oil (big box stores, auto parts stores, even garages and quicky oil change places) must accept used oil without charge. You are charged a disposal fee when you buy the oil. At least that's how it is in Texas.

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

I like the idea of having a friendly expert on hand. Do I need to get some of those drive-up stands that it shows in the picture (posted in the article by z3bum), or can I just run a front and rear wheel up the sidewalk so it's tilted at an angle?

Ooops - I see I have more to read, as there seems to be lots of references to these drive-up stands. Let me read EVERTHING posted and then see what questions remain

 

I changed mine a couple weeks ago for the first time and it was very easy.

 

The write up by z3bum with pics, and all the follow-up comments, information and helpful tips are fantastic in this thread:
"DIY R56 Cooper S Oil Change (with pics!)"
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...+change+07+MCS

Loads of details, and pretty-much step-by-step.

It's clear to me that I don't have enough general car and tools knowledge to tackle this oil change by myself for the first time through. Issues such as over-torquing the bolts/stripping threads/gushing oil from the filter/over-filling the 4.5 quarts are a bit scary for a noob.

I think I'll take it in to the service department, see if I can stand by and watch the procedure from there. I don't know how friendly the local MINI service department will be, but I guess I'll find out soon enough!

 

The ramp stands are great, but be careful using them for a first timer with a front wheel drive with DSC traction control. ( follow the instructions on the ramps) DONT apply your brakes as your going UP the ramp. Do it in one shot slowly and have someone guide you.

 

Yes. Hmmmm...

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm out of my depths here!

This all sounds pretty terrifying and full of potentially very damaging hazards for MINI. I'd hate to cause more unexpected problems in my ignorance of all the parts of my motor

But, this is not meant to be discouraging of all those folks out there who can immediately distinguish the difference between a 5/16mm allen wrench and 1/4mm hex-head thingamjig. It sounds as if you folk should go confidently forward with changing the oil. I'll stick to assembling IKEA furniture.

 

If you can see someone do it that has done it before - it really helps. AtlantaMINIs here in Georgia had a little club "how too".

The slower you take off the filter housing the better and have a rag under it to catch any spills.

Hot Topic - when should you do your first oil change ?
Manual suggests Castrol, sticker on engine says MINI oil - which oil ?

 

If there is a MINI club nearby, you could probably find someone to help you.

 

Surlycat come to Nashville, TN I will show you how to change it and then we go downtown to Nashvegas.

 

Is this not a waste of oil and the world's resources?

Trust the manufacturer's recommendations.

 

Ken - That's just it, I don't trust the manufacturer's recommendations. I do recycle all the used oil when I do an oil change. An extra few quarts per year should be put in context with the hundreds of gallons of gasoline saved by driving a fuel-efficient MINI. Also, more frequent oil changes may lead to a smoother running engine, which saves even more gasoline.
If I save one extra gallon of gas per 5K oil change cycle it more than offsets the 4 quarts of oil used. Remember, oil is not burned, but gasoline is. It's every 5K for me, after an initial post break-in change at 1.2K.

 

You may have a point there

 

I just bought some rhino drive-up ramps. I measured them and they just barely touch the rubber under my front bumper and I don't have an aero kit. If you have an aero kit, they might not work for you.

 

Just barely touch, but not enough to be a problem? How are they otherwise? Do you need someone to guide you driving up them? Any burning clutch oders from getting up them? Last time I used ramps with my Integra it was very scary and difficult not to burn the clutch. They were too steep for the MCS to clear, but the Integra seemed to have a lower gear than the MCS. So, I'm wondering what the experience is like?

 

So are most people using ramps or the "drive on some 2x8's" method?

 

Jack stands.

 

Jack stands for me too.

 

On my Clubman (base, non-S) the oil drain plug is easily accessible from the front of the car without using ramps. I need to lay by the front bumper to reach the plug, but I'd need to lay down anyway once the car was on ramps. I have ramps (long, gradual incline, I built them myself from 2 x 6 lumber), but I won't be using them for an oil change. Skip the ramps, you'll save time, and the car will be level, so the oil should drain better. If you have a body kit or a lowered suspension you'l need ramps, but the standard Clubman doesn't need them for access to the plug.

 

I just used a jack. Its pretty easy to do on the MINI with the DIY help and you can save a bunch since everywhere will want to charge a premium for the MINI. Biggest pain is the mess it makes with the drain plug being flat (it gets all over the wrench and your hands), and the oil filter spills some out when you loosen that. Also a pain because the tools are not standard, but never hurts to add more to the collection

 

Just did mine last weekend. Piece of cake

Don't reach into the filter housing to clean every last drop of all and you'll be fine.

I would highly suggest you order an inexpensive Fumoto oil ($20) drain valve F-106 or F-106N (N has a nipple to attach a tube if your oil pan doesn't fit under a lowered car). The non-N is all I've needed. Then you can throw away that stuck on drain bolt for good. I've used them for years on my S2000 and Z4 and they work well.

Best,
T.

 

A nice idea, but on the R56 the drain plug is on the bottom of the pan, not the side, so a valve would hang down and be vulnerable to road debris. It wouldn't be fun to have all the oil drain out of your car out on the road.

 

Yeah I already see some light scraps from curbs on my pan. Its probably more designed for European use.

 

My husband and I debated needing the oil change--he said to go with the manufacturer's suggestion, I want to do it more often. I have almost 7k on Nigel and really want to have the oil changed--but there's no way I can get my husband to do it and I'm afraid of messing something up if I try.
Does anyone ever take theirs in to get the oil changed at a speedylube/QuickChange kind of place?