http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/04/...hange-interval

Looks like BMW is finally realizing that the extended oil change intervals maybe costing them more money in warranty repairs.

Now my real question is whether the CBS program will be "fixed" from its current 15 to 20k mile and two year interval to the recommend 10k miles and 12 month cycle?

That picture in the article makes me think that maybe only the FIRST oil change is done at 10k miles and the rest may remain the same.

 

good ideally it should be every 5k.

 

About time, however in my opinion, it's still not frequent enough.
And yet, for most owners the irreversible damage is already been done because of negligence.

- Erik

 

Is there a way to find out if the motor is fryed? If there is any damage already done because of longer oil change intervals?

 

I'm still gonna do mine at 10K either way. I would do it every 8,500 miles but the way I drive I'll have 100K on my odometer by next year in my 11' MCS:-P.

Though, if I heavily start modding my car I will do oil changes at 5K.

 

Still not good enough imo..

 

I get my oil analyzed and other than a slightly high iron content, they say my 9k oil is fine and could be pushed further.

I probably won't, because I'm splitting the recommended interval recommended by the computer in half.

 

just picked my cooper s a few weeks ago. says oil change due in 9k miles. i heard all coopers from 03/2012 build date is now 9k miles.

 

in my opinion, it's still not frequent enough.

 

I will do my changes at 2500 - 3000 miles due to high heat and followed with coolant flushes also, using either Mobil 1 0W-40 or Royal Purple 5W-30 , leaning toward the Mobil 1 since its an approved BMW oil. These cars abuse oil and coolant due to very high heats and the small sumps are terrible for long duration cycles, but a few bucks are with peace of mind as the longer intervals seem to part of the durability issues, a justa would be fine a small turbo engine in 100+ heat for several months every year is gambling... But that's just me, I actually drive my JCW and am looking forward to going through some tires, usually get around 12k for a set when I get driving my cars hard...

 

I know that many choose to change their oil at some arbitrary number of miles, but IMHO oil analysis is the objective way to set a reasonable interval assuming of course that one doesn't get enjoyment out of oil changes.

 

Previously, I had a 2000 VW, 1.8 liter K03 turbo. I used Mobil1 religiously and changed it every 7500 miles. When I sold it, car had 155,000+ miles. Didn't burn or leak oil. Never any engine work. That's the interval I'm using in my Clubman. Hopefully, I get near the same results.

 

I'm sticking to the 15k interval. I check the oil monthly and added 1/2 qt so far (1st change is due in 3k miles). I put a LOT of miles on my car, so I'll post any issues I have down the road.

 

I changed my oil at 3k and am about to do it again at 8k. Since an oil change at the dealer only costs $20 more than a tank of gas these days, it's cheap insurance and peace of mind.

10k seems way too much to me, 15k is bordering on neglect. I knew what I was signing up for when I bought my MINI and I won't be a cheapskate when it comes to the simplest part of proper maintenance. I'd never buy a used MINI that didn't have complete oil change records, and if someone showed me receipts for 15k intervals, I'd shrug and walk away

 

If you have a good synthetic oil, check it often 10k to 15k is not terrible. Now that is awesoming that you are past the break in period. All you are doing when you change your oil is replacing the protectants that are in the oil. So theoretically you can top off the oil and be fine indefinitely. Just saying it is your car and do what you want.

 

Im with everyone doing 3k mile changes. At 3,000 miles my justa is about a half quart low on Mobile 1 0w-40. Previous VR6 consumed about a quart in the same interval. Friends think im crazy for short intervals but if i have to add 1/2-1 quart of oil to a 4.4 quart sump i might as well just do a full change. Friend is a mini service advisor and has shown me pictures of completely gummed up mini engines and even he tells new owners to take it to outside shops for shorter interval changes until the warranty change. I put 30k+ miles on my car a year, 2 oil changes a year scares me. Plus it allows me to get under the car and inspect everything frequently as well as rotate my tires since my car is jacked up anyway.

 

I do mine every 8 i do agree that 15k seems a little long

 

My local dealer twice told me they would not change the oil @ 15,000 miles unless the Service Indicator sent me in. That wasn't until 19,000 miles. Today, at 29,800 miles,my Service Indicator sent me to the dealer and they told me they would not change the oil until 15,000 miles from the last oil change! In 30,000 miles I got one oil change, one brake fluid flush and one car wash. Not a good value in my opinion, even if the supposedly provide it for free. Obviously this is the last time I will go to a Mini dealer unless I have too. I will not buy another Mini because of the feeling of being ripped-off by their "free" maintenance program.

 

RRG- go to a different dealer or go to the manager. That's absurd.

 

Exactly. That's a joke.

Heck, I'd pay out-of-pocket for an oil change to preserve my engine and then fight it if need be with Mini USA if there aren't any other Mini dealers in a 500 mile range or something. They are supposed to offer an "annual" oil change as well, regardless of milage if it's been more than a year since your last oil change.

 

Report this dealer behaviour to MINI corp and go somewhere else. There are crummy dealerships from all makes of cars so you might as well take the bus if you avoid car makes based solely on a single dealership's service department...

I've been to several dealerships and never have issues with included maintenance or warranty service.

 

We didn't get our 'free' oil change until a year after buying it. I thought that was ridiculous and have been changing it regularly at 10K no matter what the service indicator says. Even at 10K it looks like black tar.

If I have my way, this will be the first and last Mini, 90K so far and it makes a lot of strange noises.

$20 more than a fill up? It's $90 at Mini of Sterling.

07 S

 

My dealer told me 18 to 19,000 miles today. I told him to change it and I'd pay......what a joke.

 

Okay, let me try not to sound dumb here, but we might be missing something. When I pay for mine at the dealership every 5,000 miles, they do NOT reset the onboard computer. So, my car doesn't know that it got an oil change... so it will pop up at about 15,000 thinking that it needs one now. Remember... the indicator is not able to feel your oil or test it or anything, it is calculating based on miles driven and driving style. If your dealer is resetting the computer when you PAY for your oil change, they are (imo) cheating you. What you should be trying to do is pay for one oil change in between each covered oil change. I would go up the ladder on that dealership, or I would take it to a dependable independent MINI mechanic every other time. They do oil changes cheaper anyway. :-) And don't be afraid to ask if there is a coupon or a discount or a sale running... you can wait another couple hundred miles if there is a sale next month! I haven't paid more than $70 at MINI of San Diego, who are an AWESOME dealership and really work with their customers. Good luck!

 

Is the shorten oil change only apply to the US car ?
I picked up my 2012 MCS in Canada in April with a March build date and still showing my first oil change in 24000 Km.
And when I talked to my service adviser , even he recommend me to pay out of my own pocket to do an oil change in between the factory recommend interval.
Anyone in Canada can provide any information regarding the oil change interval ?