Planning on my first oil change on the car this weekend.

I've already got a filter socket, assuming it's the same size as the one on my former Mercedes.

What's the oilfill capacity on the non-turbo base engine & doesn't the drain plug use a crush washer?
Any o-rings on the filter cartridge? Thinking back to melt Mercedes days & remember needing some stuff non-typical to a spin-on filter change.

 

I just did an oil change on my car the other day. Be glad you don't have the turbo engine!

If you get the Fram oil filter, it will come with an O-ring for the filter housing, and a copper washer for the pan drain plug. The engine capacity is a little more than 4.5 quarts with a filter change. I will just buy the 5 quart jug and dump the whole. thing in.

A couple thing I would start doing for maintenance that will goa long way. Get yourself on a 5000 mile oil change routine. I will do an oil drain and fill every 5000 miles, and a filter change every 10,000 miles. (mostly because the filter on the turbo engine is a pain to get out) Don't rely on the onboard computer to tell you when maintenance is due. Also, check the oil level every 1000 miles until you get a feel for how much oil your particular engine uses. Nothing worse than thinking your good, only to realize your 2-3 quarts low.

 

Thanks, this is 5k since I got the car, just rolled over 120k. With the reported oil consumption, I'd already planned on 5k intervals. Glad to know that filter should come with the ancillaries.
I recall an oil thread on here & many advising going with a heavier weight oil than initially recommended by Mini. I've long been a Mobil1 user, any reason not to continue on that way?

 

According to the owners manual, approved oil weights are 0w30, 5w30, 0w40, and 5w40. The first number is the cold viscosity rating, the second number is the "at temperature" viscosity. In Houston, you might be able to get away with a 10w40. I use 5w40 Castrol in my Clubman, and it seems to like it. My dad swears that Quaker State synthetic is the best. Everyone has an opinion. Go with what you like.

 

Thanks, the 'what weight should I use' was more the direction I was leaning on.
I think the last change was done with Motul 5w30, a couple spare quarts came with the car.
Partly will come down to what's locally available as well.

 

Easy way to time it, when the odo shows last 4 numbers 5000 or 0000.

 

Yup, that was my plan

 

Done.
Not bad & probably one of the easiest oil changes I've ever done.
The layout doesn't really appear to lend itself to installing a Fumoto valve, though, would hang down quite a bit.
Did manage to spill a cup or so of oil when i pulled the filter, doesnt seem to drain mich with the pan.
Also, the filter cap isn't the same size as the socket I had from my Mercedes.
Luckily, I had a 27mm handy.
Also, a thanks to @njaremka for the Fram filter. Some of the others didn't look to have the o-ring & plug washer.

Rotated the tires while I was out there & snapped the head off the toolkit tire iron.
Had to use a breaker & cheater to get the lugs loose.

 

Don't know the torque recommended for the R57, but the R52 calls for 90 lbs torque on the lug bolts. That shouldn't bust a wrench.