So, this is my question?

Why do folks change their oil at 5k miles???

MINIs have fill synthetic oil that is perfectly fine at 12.5k miles. (I had mine tested...) It seems like a complete waste of money to me with very little peace of mind attached. I've heard folks say, "Oh, but my oil is dark..." Oil is always dark after you get it changed. Not all the old oil comes out and you get some residual oil in the new oil.

Anyways, rant is over. People who change full synthetic oil at 5k because they don't trust it are silly. Welcome to the 21st century folks...

 

I would guess for piece of mind. I've been following the OBC for ten plus years and over 296,000 miles and my oil tests come out just fine.

Nik

 

I also think a lot of folks are still stuck in the old timer scheme set by auto shops back in the day (and even now, for that matter) that all oil last for 5k max and if you don't change it your car will die.

MINI does 15k oil changes because they trust their oil and if it dies, it's it's under warranty. I guess I'm not one of those loaded MINI owners who can afford to have a MINI as their third or forth car, as well as pay $100+ for oil changes so frequently.

I'm glad someone else follows the OBC mileage!

 

I also have been following the OBC since I bought my MINI. I also have had it checj at 15k and had no problems. Basically it isn't needed but people in the US have been taught to do this over the years. Keeps places like Jiffy Lube in business.

 

I'll take a stab at it- I think it's because too many Knuckleheads out there see where it says you can go 15,000 miles, but they don't realize that's on a quality synthetic, so they dump whatever $.88 garbage they find on sale at Wallyworld, And think it's going to last 15,000 miles. Then there are the people that think the oil never has to be checked so if you tell him 15,000 miles then they won't check it for 15,000 miles either. The dealerships probably get a ton of these idiots in wanting to make a warranty claim even though they've neglected the car. Then, the average Joe hears about all these engine failures because people went "too far" on an oil change so they get paranoid.

 

I would never got 15k on a R56 with that turbo up there boiling away the oil.
Hey its your motor but i have seen first hand what happens when you dont change your oil.

 

+1. As someone who has had one or two day long classes about engine motor oil I couldn't agree more.

Also, as I've said before, I've been an aircraft mechanic for about 15 years. I've trolled the forums where they pilots will discuss problems with their aircraft, and their theories about basic aircraft maintenance. The distance between their discussions and the facts can be pretty far apart.

With that said, sometimes I see similarities between these forums and those when it comes to technical discussions.

Also, one of the more bizarre things about these forums to me is that it seems some people would rather change oil over adding oil every so often. I've seen this one a few times.

 

I cant speak for the turbo version, I'd have mine analyzed at 10k and then go from there.

 

Any performance turbo cars should in general get 5-7K oil changes. I do mine at 5K because I've owned turbo cars for a long time and 5K has made my engine last longer. If your a cheap person, then maybe you shouldn't have ever bought a turbo. Let me know to anyone who does their intervals longer when your engine dies or knocks. At least I know my engine will last a LONG time. Same thing the R53 people will tell you as well.

Good luck..

 

MINIs have come a long way since the first turbo cars. My 2008 had turbo failure because of cooked oil in the lines. MINI has since fixed this issue in mid-2010 and up cars. O check my oil almost every week and add oil if it is low. I have had no issues since. I'd rather add oil than pay for an oil change every 5-7k. Also, most other turbo performance cars are built to the very edge. MINIs are not. I almost bought a Mazdaspeed3 but they are oil drinking pigs. Like I says, biilt to the point of death...

 

Not true they changed it to 10k last year. http://www.motoringfile.com/2012/04/...and+Podcast%29

 

If that's the case, then why does my car default to 15 k?...and why won't the dealership change my oil at 10 k? Btw, motoringfile is a blog site, not a reference site..the info isn't consistent.

 

It has made your engine last longer, eh? There's a million things that can make our engines fail tomorrow. Not saying engine oil should be neglected, but what OP is stating is actually a fact. There's tons of science behind the long life oil.

This isn't a faith discussion where people have faith that their engine will last longer because they change their oil so often.

This isn't about the turbo, the turbo bearings are important, and while they make the engine oil run warmer, under normal circumstances, does not really add significant contamination to the oil.

This isn't about cheapness. It's about completely unnecessary and wasteful maintenance.

With the engine oil maintenance MINI recommends (check level at fuel fill ups, change oil with OBC) there is no reason the oil should be the cause of heavy wear or catastrophic failure (barring oil starvation). Racing, chain, chain guide failure, or other damage is much more likely to cause the engine to no longer function.

 

It is a fact as seen on the window sticker. Why not ask your dealer why they won't.

 

Alas, we have no information as to why MINI changed the recommended interval.

 

Well in fact that I've driven V6s and four cylinder turbos I believe MINI was the only one who I've had the experience(four cylinder) that if you don't change the oil earlier than oil starts to burn quickly on half the cars(MINI). The other half might not have the case of burning oil quickly but after owning a straight Cooper my car was fine doing intervals at 8k. With my buddy's MCS he burns oil quickly, mind you he's at 35k miles on a 2010. I have a 2011 MCS now and I don't burn any oil as to my oil stays fresh and looks fresh. Obviously not everyone is smart when it comes to prolonging the engine. Some people look at the dip stick and see black, obviously others would know your oil needs to be changed. I did this for my first oil change at 15k miles like MINI suggested to prove my point! And I was correct, the oil was so damn dark, I asked my SA why didn't they change the intervals to 10k miles like other cars. He told me they couldn't. So in fairness, on my other cars it was fine(non-turbos) to change them at 10k miles since it wasn't too dark like it was on my previous other turbo models.

Now, I'm not saying that your wrong, but explain to me why my car sounds and reacts different from changing my oil at 15k miles to 5k miles regularly? I'd rather be on the safe side then be screwed in 7k costs to a motor. I take care of her when ever a little thing arises, better to be safe than stupid.

And...it's obvious that anything can go wrong, not just oil, but oil is the MOST important part of the car to prolonging it. Ask any mechanic and technician. I think we've all had small engine class, and learned good basics about the motor. It's like saying, in the future if cars could drive themselves, would you trust it? Better to be safe and drive it yourself. Hope you kind of understand my statement. I'm not picking a fight with you but it's my opinion and everyone has a right to their own.

 

My window sticker never had that on it. I think they are now recommending a 10k change for break in

 

Also, anyone can change their oil when they want. I just think it is unnecessary. My oil was black and smelled strongly at 14k, but I also check my oil regularly and top it off with BMW brand oil when it was even the tiniest bit low. I have always heard that topping off between changes if an excellent idea. Most oil takes almost 3.5k to break in, and most synthetics even longer. I just don't see the point in changing so often when I do preventative adds in between. After my first change, the dealer says my car looked and drove awesome. No issues. To each his own I assume

 

Another thing to keep in mind, is some oil is better than others. Lets see some oil analyses, everything else is just talk. I know many VW/Audi owners that regularly take their car to 15k and they have the 1.8T.

 

Note, that is terrifying... Haha

 

They are out there and have been posted proving that 10 - 15K is ok. I have and R53 and always follow the service interval. That said, I have a Subaru Turbo and the recommended change is 5K and it gets done then.

Long intervals are the norm in Europe for a good reason, oil costs fortune and is taxed heavily. My first oil change cost me 250 Euros. Nobody I know over in Germany or the UK change it early (unless it is tracked) and nobody has had a problem. We have just been ingrained with the knowledge that the manufacturer doesn't know any better and this is total crap.

Lastly I am going to say this one last time (as a former helo mech myself), you can't tell crap from smelling or looking at oil. Only an analysis can tell you the health of oil.

 

Daflake,

Was your Subie synthetic or conventional? Just curious. I know my old Neon SRT4 was conventional from the factory and they also recommended every 5k. That thing needed it though. I couldn't add oil fast enough each month. Lol. It burned it way fast...

 

Synthetic...

 

I think its less than 10K now even, My 2013 said 9,000 miles till its change, and others are having having there Mini's changed at 8,000 miles now from Mini. I was reading a thread of it in the CM section yesterday.

 

I feel like its just common sense for a turbocharged model. They are expensive parts and there isn't a ton of preventative maintenance that can be done... frequent oil changes with quality synthetic is one easy one. (And to be honest, after only 3K my oil doesn't look GREAT on a white paper towel.)