I'm planning on doing my first oil change on my '11 MCS (around 1000 miles) and was wondering if I need to change the oil filter as well or should that be good for awhile?

 

Good rule of thumb, if you're changing the oil you'll want to pick out the particulates filter too...
There's a considerable amount of old oil in the filter and housing; you'll want to remove any remnants.

P.S. Applaud to you for changing you oil in the first 1000 miles!!!

- Erik

 

Be sure to use either MINI branded oil or an oil with ACEA A3/B3 rating. There are only a few oils out that have that rating. Most readily available with this rating is Mobil 1 0W40 EUROPEAN FORMULA, you can find it a most parts stores and WalMart. The other acceptable oils are listed on the MINI USA Owner's Lounge. MINI is probably the only place to find a new filter that meets factory specs.

 

I, as well as many here at NAM, also believe in changing the oil after break-in, and at much shorter intervals thereafter, than the computers say to do so. I personally would never change the oil without also changing the filter.

 

+1 to everything stated in the replies thus far although OEM filters can be acquired through several online sources in addition to the dealership.

 

Thanks for the info! I'll probably swing by the dealership this weekend. Also, I picked up some Valvoline SynPower which is rated at ACEA A1/A5. Will I need to exchange that for the A3/B3 rating? Sorry, I'm not too familiar with that rating system.

 

• Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
• Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
• Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
• Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

- Erik

 

Do you use LL01 in the US? Here, LL01 is the old type and the LL04 is the recommended type.

 

Yes, LL-01 oils are for applications within North America.

LL-04 oils are not recommended for gasoline engines outside of Europe because of the higher percentage of ethanol used in US-spec gas, and the LL-04 oil can increase the internal corrosion by reacting with the ethanol. See NOTE #2 on at the bottom explanining that the LL-04 oils are not to be used:



- Erik

 

I have always used Pennzoil or Quaker State full synthetic on all my other cars. Since those aren't recommended for the MINI, I have switched to the Valvoline SynPower full synthetic 5w30. I have been quite impressed with it thus far and would recommend it. I can generally find it for under $30 for a 5 quart container. I will stick with it. I find Mobil One a bit pricey. I now use the SynPower in all our vehicles. BTW, I am changing every 5K miles and I never change oil without changing the filter.

 

I didn't change the oil after the break-in period, as I was too busy doing mods

Am I screwed?

I'm almost at 7k and barely gathering info on DIY oil change.