I purchased a 2011 Mini S Convertible with 29,000 miles on it in February. It's a second car and not really my daily driver.

So far I have only put about 1,000 miles on it. Like I said, it's more of a weekend ride, and only when the weather is nice. I have read the regular maintenance schedules with mileages posted, but I'm wondering how much I should adjust that given my driving pattern.

For instance, I've had the car for 4 months and am nowhere near the mileage recommended for an oil change. But it may be a year or more before I hit that. Any thoughts on this?

Rich B
2011 Mini Cooper S Convertible

 

Hi Rich:

Same situation here. I'm fortunate to have a 5 mile drive to work. Since 2002, I have averaged 2,600 miles a year. From 2002 to 2012 I drove a WRX that received a yearly oil and filter change. In 2012, I had amassed a whopping 27,000 miles. The car required one battery and one set of tires. Gave it to my youngest daughter. It just turned 100,000 miles and running as good as ever. She changes oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Now driving a Mini S and getting yearly oil and filter changes at around 2.600 miles.

My belief, (synthetic oil claims aside), is change oil and filter every 5,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

 

+1
In addition, my chart recommended from tons of NAM input:
Brake Fluid every 20K
Coolant every 30K
PCV vent valve every 30K
PS Fluid flush every 30K
Fuel Filter Change every 50K
Plugs every 40K
Serpentine belt every 40K
I also rotate tires along with the 5K oil change.

 

Thanks for the help. My coolant was already replaced when the thermostat housing had a leak 1 month after I bought it, so I'm covered there (thanks used car limited warranty).

 

Just change the oil once a year at least, run it every once in a while, trickle charge the battery. Make sure the tires dont get any flat spots. Then stick to the other time frames. When you drive it make sure you get it up to operating temperature and knock all the rust off the rotors with the brakes to they dont stick to the rotors if you live in a high moisture area. I store my R58 JCW over the winter.

 

...an operation commonly know as 'The Italian Tuneup'. Take it out on a back road and blow the cobs out of as the saying went back in the day.