They're not $hitting you about using MINI spec oil filters
 

I bought a 2011 MINI Cooper S Countryman All4 in early January. The selling dealership, a Kia dealership, performed an oil and filter change before I picked it up. Everything about the sales experience at that dealership was top-notch, BTW. I noticed soon after that when I really gunned the car so the N18 turbo would go into its designed over boost mode, the red oil pressure warning light would briefly illuminate along with the warning chime. I would back out immediately, of course. Remember, this is with a fresh oil change so definitely not low on oil. This was completely reproducible. I thought that maybe it was the oil pressure sensor because, you know...it's a German car LOL. Fast forwarding to now (early March) I have enjoyed a good relationship with my local MINI dealership here in Ottawa, Canada. I've had a couple of niggly leftover maintenance items completed at the dealership. I mentioned this periodic oil pressure issue to the service advisor when I was getting my valvetronic motor replaced about 2 weeks ago (1.5 months into ownership basically). He said that the issue was most likely the non-OEM oil filter that the Kia dealership had used which was causing the oil pressure issue when I dipped hard into the boost. He also said that even if I chose not to get my oil changes performed at the dealership, I should always buy OEM oil filters for use at my favourite oil change place. [Sidebar: In my case that's Mr. Lube here in Ottawa. I know the regional manager and he gives me a very good discount as we track our cars (not my MINI) at Calabogie Motorsports Park].

I thought, "What the heck" and went ahead and had them change the oil for me ($160 vs. $90 at Mr. Lube) and you know what? They were right. The issue has completely gone away. I have since Googled this issue and the Internet seems mostly to support the fact that some oil filter brands should be avoided.

Don't keep us in suspense. What is the recommended oil filter and what are the bad ones?

Ha ha! I'm not going to perpetuate Internet myths by posting my own "no go" list of oil filters for MINIs! I would just say stick with the OEM ones. I've done this with my Audi TT track car and it's been bulletproof. The Interwebs (and this includes a number of self-styled expert garage sites) say that there is a high variability in the quality of non-OEM oil filters. I suspect that much is absolutely correct but to extrapolate this to all non OEM filter is just plain dumb. Also, I don't want my car to be a test bed for non OE filters. I also tend to not listen to the siren call of quality aftermarket ones such as AMSOIL, etc., because after all...who knows OE quality better than OE? Lesson learned for me. I should have listened to my own inner voice. I'm such a hypocrite.

I have only ever used OE oil filters on my Minis. Those oil change prices seem a little on the high side.

I have read that the non oem filters will release lint off of them. When I pulled the vanos solenoid off of the n14 clubby I'm redoing it was blocked up with filter lint fibers. I will only use oem filters myself just for that reason. I will also give them a blow with an air hose to remove any loose material.

The $160 or the $90?
Wow! Just reinforces the need to not go cheap on the oil filter!

[QUOTE=eric.stewart;4453802]The $160 or the $90?

$160 is about double what my Mini dealer charges

$160 Canadian = about $125 US. It's still a bit pricey...agreed. But I was there and it was convenient.

Yep, last oil change that i had done at the Kitchener, Ontario BMW/MINI dealer was $115 Cdn + taxes. I had one done prior to that at Canadian Tire at $96 Cdn + tax