Coming up on my first oil change which I have decided will be at 3,000 miles. Question; where did you have your first oil change done? Dealer? Local mechanic? Yourself? Other?

Brian

 

given your mod list I suggest taking it to 7-Eleven ... just fill it with a Cherry Coke Slurpie

 

Myself. There are some good threads here on how to do it and what oil to use. Search for "DIY oil change".

OEM oil filters can be had for $10-$15, and $9 in bulk online. If you use a non-OEM filter, make sure it comes with a copper crush washer for the drain plug.

The best oil for 2nd Gen MINIs meets ACEA A3 specs. The least expensive I've found is the MINI branded 5W-30. Most USA synthetics in the 5W-30 don't meet this spec. They have a lower viscosity at temp. There are some 0W-40 synthetics that are A3 from Mobil 1, Royal Purple, and others. Often they say "European".

Some people use ramps to raise the front a little. Others use jack stands. A few don't use anything.

The process is fairly easy. You have to move the coolant overflow tank on the MCS. This takes an 8mm socket and one screw. Leave the hoses connected.

Make sure you are draining the oil, not the transmission.

Open the oil filler cap to allow air in while you drain the oil. It should be drained while warm, but not hot. A 5 min drive should do it. Or, wait a few minutes after a drive to let the oil cool a bit.

I recommend the commercial drain pans that are a container as well as a drain pan. This is easier to deal with than an open pan of hot oil. Recycle your oil through the appropriate channel in your state. Google "oil recycle".

The oil filter housing takes a 27mm or 1-1/16" socket and an extension. Loosen it enough to break the air seal, then allow it to drain. This lessens the possibility of spilling oil from the filter housing.

 

Har Har Capt! I can't believe more of you didn't get the chinchilla option.

 

Thanks Robin. Not sure I want to tackle this myself. I'm going to check around on the oil, thanks for the info as opposed to the Capt. who just mocked my mods. (lol)
Brian

 

I would stay far away from places like Jiffy Lube. I say this from personal experiences with other cars. I think Google will point you to lots of horror stories.

Price from dealers seems to vary from about $80 to $150. Figure the oil and filter would cost you about $40. So, you are paying from $40-$110 to have someone do it.

A local garage that specializes in MINIs might be a good alternative. Find a MINI club in your area through the Clubs forum, and ask about garages in your area.

 

If you plan to change the oil yourself here is a good pictoral DIY that we found for the R56. Hope it helps.

 

Excellent tips guys. I'll check in with the Mini club in my area...

 

Question; where did you have your first oil change done?
Answer: my garage and well before the manufacturer suggested (kind of like you're doing)

 

First oil change 1200 miles
Second 5000

And then every 5K miles. According to my last mini's computer, I wasn't due an oil change till 19K miles.. I'm sure the manufacturer knows better than I but I have a problem changing my first oil change every 20K miles.

Mark

 

Been reading a few different threads about this, on the oil drain plug, is the proper tool a T-50 torx or a 8mm hex? Has there been a definitive concensus on this?

 

Seems to me that either they have changed, or both work. My 2007 takes a T-50. Haven't tried the 8mm, but it seems to be popular among people with later models.

 

Okay, I went to my closest Mini dealer (Mini of SF), bought OEM oil and an oil filter and took it to a guy I know who works at a shop in town. I don't have the tools or the ability of dumping old oil. (Can't I just dump in the dirt? We'll pump it right back out again?) They charged me $46 and I was in and out in no time at all. I'm at 3000 miles. My waistline still looks the same.

Brian

 

Many garages, gas stations, and Jiffy Lubes will take old oil. In California you can get containers at some auto supply stores and recycle it with your trash. It has to be in a labeled container.

For more info about recycling oil in your area: http://earth911.com/

 

Cool! Thanks for the tip!
B.

 

They charged you $46 for labor to change your oil? I think I'd be finding a new mechanic! It's literally a 10 minute job, especially if you have a lift for easy access to the underside.

 

Dealer did it at 3,500 km, "on the house". Oil and oil filter changed.

 

Well ya, maybe lesson learned. But I have no abilities in the mechanical realm. I can put gas in my car but apart from that I don't trust myself with a wrench and a new R56. It's not that I couldn't do it myself, but it would costs millions of dollars and the loss of thousands of innocent lives. Even something this simple is beyond my limited skills. I can't be the only one...
Brian

 

That's about inline with the best prices people have reported here for paid dealer oil changes. IIRC, the lowest price reported was around $80 including oil and filter. Some dealers charge $150. So, if he was in an area with a high cost of living and a $150 dealer, $46 for labor isn't that bad.

 

Well here's another part of the story. I didn't mention it because I don't want to get the guy any trouble, but I went to the parts Dept. to get oil and a filter and it took about 20 min waiting before he ever showed up. Then after about another 10 min he finally came back with my oil and filter. He rang me up and charged me $20. I didn't think anything of it until we both realized at the same time that was the wrong price for 6 quarts of oil and a filter. So he says, forget it, I waited so long, don't mention it, etc. I told him I was glad to pay, didn't want to get him in any trouble, but he insists and off I go with 6 quarts of oil and a filter for $20!! Very nice guy, hope his manager doesn't read this forum...
Brian

 

Agree, if he went to a MINI dealer...but if I read correctly, he bought the supplies at MINI then had a local service shop do it....

 

Correct, bought supplies at a Mini dealer and had a local guy do it. Closest dealer to me is about 30 miles, not as bad as some, worse than others. My local guy is very trustworthy, I trust him more than some dealers. Especially since the dealer I bought the car from is over 200 miles away. Ni big for me, got my oil changed and I'm a happy Miniac.
B.

 

What's the big deal about the copper crush seal? Will it leak w/o that?

 

The crush washer insures a good seal. It is designed to conform to any irregularities in the steel as it is crushed, and is supposed to be torqued to 22 ft. lbs.

If you have to use an old washer, you will probably have to tighten it to a higher torque to prevent leaks. This makes it more difficult to remove next time.

If you don't have a washer at all, the likelihood of a drip leak is high.

The washer comes with the factory filter. For $10-15 for the filter, I can't see that you would save much by going 3rd party.