I agree !! My 2011s just turned 7k today and it still shows 7800 mikes b4 it's due and I'm about to die !! Having it done tomorrow anyway !!

 

lol common sense people!

 

At least it HAS a dipstick! My last BMW did not. And the freakin' oil level sensors that you're forced to rely on without one are notoriously unreliable. Nice move, BMW.

I replaced my Mini dipstick with the aftermarket one that's no longer available (one of the sponsors here, can't recall who offhand). It's some sort of plastic-like material, and is *slightly* more readable than the stocker. But not by much.

Thankfully my S54 has a dipstick, AND it's readable. Although the local stealership can't seem to, virtually every oil change, they'd overfill it.

 

I usually change the oil at 7500 miles, but I wasn't ever sure if that was really necessary. The recommended CBS changes for my 2007 S were much longer than that, and it seemed plausible that newer fluid technnology and engine design might afford the longer interval. So I thought i would try it and see.

I went 12,400 on dealer oil, including 2 quarts of make up oil. The CBS said I still could go 3000 more, but I chickened out and changed it. I sent a sample to Blackstone and just got it back. So this is not faith based speculation when I tell you: CBS IS A JOKE. CHANGE YOUR OIL AT 7500 MILES.

The oil showed high wear in iron and aluminum. It had thickened out of grade. It had a residual TBN of 1.6. It was beaten to death. The engine runs fine: the oil had low insoluables, meaning combustion is good. It had a high flash point and no fuel dilution. But it had been used too long.

 

We just ou 06 Cooper S throw a connecting rod which in turn has destroyed the engine. All service has been done as scheduled at a mini dealer. Mini has denied our claim for any assistance and the dealer want $9000 to install a referbished, not new, engine. But they offered us a whole $4500 for the car as is. Needless to say we feel cheated by Mini USA. All this after we spent over 2500 on suspension wrk just 2 months ago. Any tips

 

Inform the media. I assume that with the slight inferno issues with Turbo Coopers, the media might be interested. My brother is a producer for an international TV station here in Germany and is pushing for Mini and BMW to be investigated.....

 

Are these timing chain issues only on MCS or justa cars?

 

Amancuso,

I am not sure. I was going to ask too. Since we have almost identical justa's it would be good to know. I am thinking I will change mine around 7500 or 6 months. Whichever comes first. Worth $60 to $80 to keep it running.


Also, as a side note my 2012 justa showed the engine's origin as France.

 

I agree, I do plan on doing my first oil change at around 3000 or so as I want to get rid of the "break-in" oil. There's nothing wrong with our French engines. LOL after all, I've always been a fan of "French Fries!"

 

Well, I'm going to change mine at 2,000-2,500 and again at about 9,000, then let Mini do their thing at about 15,000... I'll take the free oil change and full inspection when they see fit, but will override their OCI on my own to be safe...

 

Im glad I found this thread.
My 2013 "Justa" comes with a prescribed 10k mile oil change interval. I changed it twice myself (1st one with filter, second one oil-only) before 10k and just got my "factory authorized oil service" at just under 10,000 miles.

I was wondering, if I do one at every mid-point (5000 miles after scheduled changes) going forward, should I replace the filter or can I "let it ride" for 10k with just an oil change?

 

I would suggest changing the filter too.

I'm out warranty now. I change oil/filter about every 5K miles. Mostly highway speed interstate miles. Haven't had a timing chain problem. Car doesn't use any oil. 75K miles.

Of importance is to maintain oil level. There seems to be some evidence that timing chain problems can arise if oil level is within the "OK" range but not maintained at the upper full level.

 

Is that for non-S engines as well? I thought most of the lubrication and carbon buildup issues were for turbo engines.

 

I personally am changing the oil in my Justa every 6 months. I'm not quite putting 10K per year on it, so I'm going by time instead. If I start putting miles on faster, it'll be every 5K miles.

 

No it's only for the N14s(MCS/JCW)

 

There may be a little confusion here.

The carbon buildup issue is almost exclusive to the turbo version. Has to do with the path fuel takes to get into the cylinders.

Carbon buildup in not an issue with non-S versions as long as quality gasoline is used. Lean towards "top tier" gasoline to reduce carbon issues. I had my valves inspected at about 50K miles. I use top tier gasoline (for me mostly Chevron, Texaco, Philips 66, Conoco and Shell - but there are others). The technician said my valves and intake were near spotless.

The timing chain lubrication issue is almost exclusive to the turbo version and they are currently the only cars that are part of any recall. Apparently a fairly common problem among S version owners.

However, there have been some postings by non-S owners of having timing chain issues. Apparently not a very common issue. It is speculation - but there is a good argument that it may be due to under lubrication and/or dirty oil. So - just my opinion - easily solved by keeping your oil topped off and change it regularly - more often then the owner's manual calls for.

 

Chains need lube and if your lube is shot

 

I can't agree with you more…. regardless of the type of oil you use in your car, changing oil every 5K miles is cheap insurance against oil related failures. I purchased my 2012 with approximately 3000 miles on it and have changed the oil every 5K since ownership. As a side note, my previous Mini was a 2007 MCS, that I purchased with approximately 55K miles on it. Within 10K miles I had excessive carbon build up and burned a valve….granted I do not know how often the previous owner had the oil changed but since both these cars are direct injected I feel it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

Hey Brett do you change the filter every time as well or @ every other oil change?

 

I do change my filter with each oil change. I figure if I'm doing one I am going to do the other. I do vary on the filter type, but not the oil.

 

Just change the filter every time. Like the oil, the filter wears down/out. After all the particulates that have flowed through the filter it will no longer filter efficiently. At what point that is, depends entirely on how hard the car was driven or how harsh the conditions were in which it was driven in. Don't over think it, just replace every time.

 

what non-original filters have you used? I'm afraid I don't know enough about Mini (Peugeot) oem suppliers to take a good guess.

 

Wix also makes a good filter and some believe that it is superior to the OE. I alternate between Wix and OE.

 

I usually change the oil every 5k miles and the filter every other oil change.