My last fillup was $52 and my oil change last weekend was $71 out the door at the dealer, so it's cheap peace of mind for me.

I changed my oil at 3k and again at 8k, and the dealer said I'd be due for another "free" one at my 1-year in August. Interestingly enough, they put a sticker on my windshield showing next oil service due in 5k miles. They didn't reset the service counter obviously, and said that they couldn't reset it even if I wanted them to.

 

Apparently the new, shorter interval only applies to cars built around March 2012 and newer and will NOT be applied to older cars. Crazy. So if you drive it gently, you would get a 'free' change at about 19,000 and you wouldn't be due for another until 38,000 which would no longer be 'free' under the basic maintenance. I was under the impression that the interval was changing for everyone, because if is better for the newer cars why wouldn't apply to the older cars too? So no, it remains whatever the interval was when you bought it.

 

I spoke with the local Mini dealer today about the mileage between oil changes and as JoanieB said the local dealer said the same thing about oil changes covered in the program. The word is that the increased frequency is only for the newer 2012 cars. They don't have an update for the computer program in the car. The older, now antique 2012 cars still have to wait for 15,000,00 miles or for the oil to turn to sludge before they will change it. Hmmmmmm some Minis get better care (10K is still a long time) and most others don't.

 

My build date is March 18 and still has the old long oil change interval.
I will be going in for my first oil change on Monday and I will bring this discussion up.

 

This sounds like a good excuse to drive in a constant "sporting" manner.

Updating this software is tedious and must be done by the dealership. MINI and BMW cars are notoriously finicky in this process and I have no doubt MINI will not update "older" cars. The expense for the update and then increases expense of the shorter included maintenance intervals is not likely something MINI wants to undertake, which is unfortunate.

 

FWIW, I had my oil changed on my early-ish 2011 (November 2010 build I believe, took delivery early January 2011) by the dealer (under free maintenance) a month or so ago and when I got it back it indicated 10000 miles for the next one. I was under the impression that you didn't have to do an actual software update to set the service interval, but rather it's something that can be done with the same application that's used to reset the service indicator... I waited on the oil change, and they definitely didn't have the car long enough to do a complete software update.

I've been of a mind to keep to a 7500 mile interval (with me changing it once between the dealer changes), but I'm thinking at 10000 I may just check the level periodically and just let them handle it. Most of my driving is highway anyway, so on a quality synthetic I'm thinking that should be fine.

 

Service interval can be reset by the end user. No special tool or software needed.

 

That is interesting. I wonder if you have a dealer that is more accommodating? Our local dealer said, "We can't do anything unless the car tells us to do it." Perhaps we need to find a different dealer for maintenance?

 

Dealers can offer free or discounted service if they want to. My service advisor also tried to give me an early free oil change but the computer system wouldn't allow him. My service interval was not up for another 12,000km but they didn't charge me their usual full price oil change price - I did get a discounted price.

 

To be clear, I know I can get my oil changed every day if I want but my maintenance program will not cover it until 15,000 miles or the calculated MPG tells the light to come on (or the dealer thinks it is close enough). In 2012 Mini increased the interval to 10,000 from 15,000 miles and we are wondering if Mini now believes that it is better to do more oil changes to avoid engine damage. Several mechanics and Mini customers have experienced what looks to be premature turbo and timing chain failures and sludge build up on the valves. The failures appear to be related to oil level and or oil sludge. Many Mini owners and mechanics believe that the intervals covered under the previous maintenance program that come standard are far too long. When I asked my dealer if the maintenance program was getting revised for my Mini (that is set at 15,000) the answer was "No unless your car is programmed at the factory to have a shorter interval and we can't increase it."

Is that response from our dealer accurate?

This issue is not just about the cost of an oil change but about scheduling oil changes. If you (as many R56 Mini S owners and mechanics believe) think it is better to change your oil at 5,000 miles on your turbo Mini then you need to know when to take the car to the dealer and when to have the oil changed at possibly a more appropriate location that does not charge $140 - $200 for the act of draining some oil out, filling the crankcase, removing and replacing a role of paper, an O-ring and a crush washer. At $140 (the quote I got to do an early oil change from my local dealership and $200 from another) I could replace all the fluids in the car, rotate the wheels (tire rotation) and have a nice dinner. Personally I don't care if the dealer ever does a free oil change on my car. The problem is if I don't ever let the dealer do the free oil change they could claim I did not properly maintenance my car and deny a warranty repair of a defective part like the chain or the turbo. I wish the dealers did not offer free oil changes at all but made oil changes affordable and convenient so I would look forward to having them do them for me. As it is now I am not looking forward to having the dealer service my Mini and possibly over fill the oil and dent my door as others have reported.

As far as how far you can drive on oil goes, I am never surprised that oil analyse reports say that oil can be driven for as much as 20,000 miles. Oil needs to work much longer than your oil use interval. You need tolerance in case your cooling system is compromised (like a hose leek, thermostat or pump failure). The other problem is sludge and the resin that attaches to all the moving parts that can clog passages. I am perfectly happy disposing oil that could be used for more miles given the Mini turbo is a small motor that has relatively high horsepower and an oil cooker turbo. If that is not enough of a concern look at how many posts are on NAM about timing chain problems.

 

Sounds about right. Due to my concerns about long-term issues as this car is mine and not leased, I am paying for a mid-interval oil change. I have no expectation of MINI retroactively giving me the new shorter oil change interval.


I am curious though we may have to wait... what happens if an early-2012 car needs a re-flash for a repair? Will it get the updated intervals with a new version or not? I know MINI have different versions (i.e. JCW flash vs Cooper S flash) but I wonder if they have different versions of flash for different build months. Is suspect that since the short oil change intervals involve added cost to MINI, they will have newer versions of flash for early-2012 cars that do NOT have the short oil change interval.

 

Care to elaborate, other than just changing the oil yourself?

 

+1

 

+1

 

Inquiring minds want to know.

 

Technically, he is correct. This is in the Second Generation stock problems forum:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...procedure.html

I used this procedure to reset the mileage when I replaced my front brakes, but you can also use it to reset your service interval.

Unfortunately, you can only reset it to the Mini factory preset mileage, you cannot lower the mileage for the service interval.

 

Correct, I said you can RESET the service interval back to 0 when you do your own oil changes. There is no special tool or software to to that. I never said you can reduce your oil service interval to get more frequent oil changes for free!

 

At our dealership (formerly MINI and BMW) we do "low mileage" oil changes if the 'clock' for the inspection comes before the oil life 'clock' goes off. Any reasonable shop will try and work something out for you. If they can find a way for it to be 'on the straight' and paid for by MINI USA then they will make it happen.

 

Agreed! Oil is so cheap, why wouldn't you do it every 5k? Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy. Do it every 5k.

 

This is my goal I got into the habit when I became sole owner of my previous car in my divorce. I got the car at approximately 25,000 miles and started doing full synthetic oil changes (including synthetic rated filter). And it was just a pos Chrysler PT Cruiser. When it got totaled out at 79,000 miles (and it only takes a little frame damage for your insurance company btw), I had just gotten an oil change/service from my local shop. There were 3-4 of us in that day with PTs and out of all of us there, mine had zero problems!

So I get my replacement car, an "old" 2012 MINI and the service interval is like 19,000 miles!?! I'm thinking that can't be right, especially for a turbo engine.

So I'm having mine done at one of the local indie shops. Our club had a tech day at his site and his philosophy is to hire only MINI certified mechanics. He also specializes in doing full diagnostics especially right before end-of-warranty for newer owners, so they can take a laundry list of "customer reported" fix-its to the dealership. The tech day was very informative. One of the worst things that you can do is run a MINI (or any car) on low to no oil. But that should be a no-brainer. Apparently the other bad thing is to let your teenager (or college-age 'kid') drive your MINI.

I've got my second interval change scheduled for Friday.

Technically I should be at the MINI dealership getting my first "free" change ... I'm thinking March or earlier 2012 owners have a cut-and-dried class action suit, so would like to sign on if someone wants to get one going.

 

Some of these service intervals are absolutely crazy. I think 7500 miles is a safe mark for oil change.

 

Because it is a waste, provides no appreciable benefit compared to a longer OCI, could be causing more damage to the engine than following a longer interval, and I don't like being a dupe for the oil companies' advertising.

 

When I bought mine the dealer would change it when the light went on OR at a year whatever came first. People have sent their 7500 mile old oil in for analysis before and it came out fine. I don't know of anyone who has sent in older oil though. My first OC was at a year, I think around 10k.

 

Our MA pointed out the new oil change interval when we picked up the new JCW, he said it was 9,000. However, the computer is still saying 15,000, so I'm a bit confused.

 

Our oil change interval is NOW reset to 10,000 miles after we got the first Mini maintenance oil change done at the dealer. The dealer did a great job and set the oil perfectly.