New Mini owner. I have a 2007 S, (it is NOT a JCW). I called a place to see if they would have the filter to change the oil and the technician wasn't sure which one I needed. He said there were two different possible ones but I couldn't understand what he was saying (bad connection and bad accent).

So anyway, if I wind up having to take it somewhere how will I know which one to ask for?

 

Your S and JCW should be the same filter. If the tech has to ask, take it somewhere else with experience with the car even if you have to pay a dealer. Check in to local clubs to see if you can locate a knowledgeable independent which will be your overall best bet. I'd shy away from quick change locations.

 

Your best bet is to buy your own filter at a BMW/Mini dealer. The factory part comes with a new "O" ring and crush washer. You have to use a new crush washer on the drain plug every time you remove it. I take my own oil and filter to my mechanic and he charges me ten bucks to change it. You can sometimes find filters in the forums classifieds for a reasonable price or from a dealer online. Some online sources offer a six pack of filters at a reduced price. Personally, I would not recommend an aftermarket filter, but that just me. YMMV

 

I looked into it and finally figured out what the guy was asking me. He was asking if I had the N14 or the other one, so basically if it is Turbo or Super but was asking me if it was the 1598 cc (turbo) or the 1600 cc (super-charged).

I actually called another place (Sears) and they are familiar and know what they are doing so I think I will be fine there. Unfortunately I'm over two hours from a dealer and have had trouble connecting with any of the other Mini owners around (and there are a few) to find out who they use for this type of stuff.

 

They looks like this for the OEM MINI Gen 2 filter ( R56+), we have them in singles and pack sets. Comes with filter , O ring for the housing and the drain plug copper crush washer. We have the oil change kits at the bottom of the link also.

Oil Filter Kit W/ O-Ring Part # 11427622446

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2207539__ES2594054__ES2598726__ES2497576__ES2581 327__ES2581338__ES2582017/






&



Here is the Mann version , it does not come with a crush ring. You will need one per filter kit. Part # 11427622446

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/ES2219540_ES19041_ES2652100_ES2594057_ES2598728/



Hope that helps.

 

There are at least 2 safe options that I've used (there are many others, do your homework):
- Purflux OEM filter (from the dealer) - made in France, part # 11-42-7-622-446. Should run you around $10/each.
- Mann (OEM for BMW) - made in Germany, part # HU 711/51x. Should run you around $6/each from Amazon.

I have both on hand. Will post a picture of the two if I figure out how to append it to the post. If not, Google for them.
Both filters look solid and work fine. I've used both.

When ordering online or over the phone, make sure you specify the last 7 of your car's VIN, or 2x check by other means that they part you are buying will fit your car.

a

 

I don't see anything on the Mann one about the Crush washer? I would have free shipping as I have Amazon Prime so that would be awesome, but what about the crush washer?

 

I don't remember if the Mann came with a crush washer or not - it's my last one off the 6-pack I bought years ago.

As far as crush washers go - new are nice, but you can safely reuse old ones, unless they are damaged. I prefer using new ones if they are on hand, but never had leaks when reusing old ones as long as you tighten the drain plug to spec.

a

 

The Mann HU 711/51 one is above in our link , they don't come with the crush washer. I linked it for you. OEM and aftermarket, just one needed per filter.

Thanks

 

Went ahead and ordered from ECS. Thanks all of you for your help, I will remember it.

 

When changing oil on a turbo engine you have to remove the radiator expansion tank to get enough access to the oil filter. The hose on the bottom of the tank always leaks, make sure wherever you take it has the MINI antifreeze to top it off, NOT the GREEN stuff.

 

For what it's worth, my expansion tank lines have NEVER leaked after 8 oil changes (first 3 by the dealer, last 5 by me).

I do, however, agree on topping off with either distilled water, or MINI coolant to avoid unexpected chemistry experiments by mixing multiple brands of coolant.

a

 

Rory,
Just so you know, the initial tech was not an idiot. The hardtops changed to the turbo motor in 2007, and the convertible stayed on the old chassis (and supercharged engine) for a couple more years. So when he pulls up a 2007 MINI Cooper S, it would show both options.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Mbwicz... Actually I didn't say he was idiot, I just had trouble understanding him because of accent/ bad phone connection and I didn't know which part I needed but it didn't matter as they had neither and had no idea when they would get them! (That part was surprising!) I got a much better feeling talking to the guy at Sears though, they seemed to have seen a lot more minis.

Well I guess I misunderstood ECS shipping terms because my 2 day shipping won't be here until tuesday. I ordered friday and I thought it said it would go out that day, but it didn't. I called customer service and they weren't very helpful, he kept changing his reason for why I won't get it (that I ordered too late, that they didn't ship it out until today, which isn't right because the tracking log says they picked it up Saturday, oh, and then he also told me they don't ship on saturdays). I went back to the webpage today and if you click around on shipping you do see that they don't ship on saturdays but I wish they would say that on the page where you can purchase the expensive two day shipping, which was probably a total waste as I'm not that far from Ohio anyway.

 

Yeah I do have the right coolant, that is one thing that the BMW place an hour from here does actually carry (I checked to make sure the BMW one is the same as the Mini cooper one--called two Mini dealers to make sure!). I bought this car from a non-mini dealer and they had mixed and matched coolants so that has been flushed!

 

Only use the OEM one for daily driver/occasional autocross and track.