I see metal oil filter housing caps for Gen 2 Minis but not for the R59. Are they really different or does nobody bother listing compatibility with the R59?

 

Look on realoem and see if the part
numbers for the oem caps are the same.

 

Same part for R56 and R59

 

The Mini part number is 11427557011. I cannot find any metal cover with that number. No vendor's part finder says their metal oil filter cover for a Gen 2 Mini will fit my engine.

 

The aftermarket metal cover won’t have
the same part number as the oem
plastic one.
Which metal one are you looking at?
I saw one made by Dorman but that’s
all I could find. Although they said
Gen 2, further investigation showed
that they actually just fit the Gen 1
MINIs.

 

Out of curiosity... why changing to a metal cap?

 

Better durability and increased heat shedding. I've put metal filter caps on my previous vehicles with good success.

 

Besides Dorman, FCP Euro and Urotuning have metal caps - none for the R59. And yes, everyone has their own part numbers.

 

I have yet to hear of plastic oil cap failure or performance improvement from an oil cap, and that's from a person who has a 16 year old car in his garage he bough new 16 years ago. The oil cap filter is not what you would call a failing element on modern cars...
I get the feeling of purchasing improvements when you're into your car. I've been there. This one I must say is making me perplexed . . .

 

There is an aftermarket filter cap, but it was designed to add temperature and pressure senders.
https://www.merx-tuning.de/olfilter-...-cooper-s.html

 

The Mini's filter cap isn't a weak point and I doubt you'll gain any "heat shedding" in close proximity to the turbo and cat. Don't waste your money for gimmicks. Spend your money on proper maintenance instead.


Exactly!
.

 

Very nice. Thanks for the link.

 

Good point about the oil filter housing's proximity to the turbo. How does the heat affect the plastic over the years, though? As far as durability goes, this being my first Mini, I just don't know. On my GTI the metal cap was certainly a better option than the OE plastic cap.