So the dealership (not a mini) I got my mini from said 1st oil change was free. I called to set it up and they said anytime. I had read about mini oil change kit and when I asked if they kept one in stock, dude said "a what?". I decided to do it myself bc they have already gave me a bad vibe. They didn't know how to reset the brake maintenance light and other little things I asked about.
My 1st time took 2 and 1/2 hrs. Most of that spent removing the drain plug that had been expoxied over?? There was no cooper o ring with the drain plug. The dealership said they had done oil before I got it. So I'm guessing they put epoxy on the drain plug bc it was leaking? Who knows...but at least it's done right now.

 

Congrats but be careful working on your Mini gets addictive.

and you get to find all the things other people did wrong.

 

I've already replaced thermostat housing.. Dealership said $600, I said nope, did it myself.
I had a 2001 Eclipse for 18 yrs that I repaired myself and it was way easier!! I'm sure next oil change will be quicker now that I know how.
Thankfully today I finally figured out how to reset maintenance alerts.

I do have one question? Oil reset to 15000 miles. I read 15000 and 5000 miles between oil change. Which one should I do?

 

factory says 15000 and this is based primarily on use of 100% synthetic oil as recommended ..... BMW is similar and I'sure there are others
<15,000 or 12 months .... the computer can change from the 15,000 based on your driving style as it 'learns'>

and many people say B.S. and insist on _______ (fill in the blank with number of choice)

I'd note that even Jiffy Lube has given up on the 3000 mile oil change recommendation for modern cars ... I doubt there is a new car sold today that recommends that short an interval.

bottom line is the warranty will hold when you follow the factory guidelines ..... and the only damage you do if you like more frequent changes is to your wallet. Sellers of the oil, oil filters etc will like you.

I've owned MINIs since 2002, and change oil based on the 'computer' or 12 months. Once out of 'pre-paid' maint' I usually DIY with MOBIL 1 Euro Formula and MINI filters. Never have had an oil consumption issue or a major engine issue for that matter. If you drive exceptionally hard, tow a trailer, have extremely harsh conditions etc, there is reason to change more frequently ... this is common sense.

stand-by .... there will be a dozen posts about how wrong I am within 30 minutes!!!

 

OK thanks for the reply and you're last line cracked me up... Haha.
The kit I ordered only cost me 70 bucks so that's not bad. I don't drive her hard, don't pull a trailer, just a bike rack. I'll probably do the every 15000 miles.
I've never had synthetic oil in a car so had get opinion since I read 2 different things.

Thanks again

 

You don't need to buy $70.00 "kits". This is a waste of money.

Go online and buy your own OEM oil filter. They come with the copper O ring and they cost about $13.00.

The only oil meeting OEM specs is Castrol Edge Full Synthetic 10w30. Mobil 1 products don't. Then go to your local Walmart with your filter and the job will be done for $45.00.

With the special socket to access the filter housing, an oil change doesn't take more than 20 minutes.

 

I have all the tools needed and will be changing it myself every time. 1st time just took so long bc it was the 1st and there's was expoxy covering the whole drain plug.

 

Didn't happen!

MINI changed and dropped to 10,000 recommended miles for oil changes.

 

Yep first time takes the longest then you will get the hang of it. DIY and save $$$