ever have a rash that you are DYING to scratch? it itches like crazy, but you know that if you scratch it could spread the rash, making it worse.

that's what abiding by the maintenance interval is like.

my car currently has nearly 9k miles, and according to the start-up prompt, it's not due for on oil change until it has more than 20k miles.

i love the thing to death and i'm dying to change the oil.

i also wonder about things like tire rotation. is this something i should be doing independent of the oil change?

should i grit my teeth and keep driving, or should i spend my own money and put some fresh oil in the crankcase?

keeping my warranty intact is important. will i blow it by getting the oil changed at someplace other than a mini dealer?

thanks for any advice and emotional support. i'm beside myself ... :impatient

 

Your Mini Dealer should change your oil once every 12 months or when the your car says so. I changed my oil at 5K and would change again at about 11K but the dealer after 12 months of ownership which will be at about 12K.

To keep your warranty you just have to follow the recommended maintence but since it is my car, I will do maintenence more often. Of course at my expense.

I have a hard time with Mini's computer that is suppose to take into account driving style into account telling me not to change the oil until 19K. I do a lot of city driving and I am not a easiest on my cars. Mini is not going to replace the motor in 100K because of oil related failure.

I say do what you want. I sure someone will disagree with me.

 

it always helps to rotate the tires as much as possible. I usually do it every 5k.

 

Change it but make sure you use the approved oil and MINI filter. What is the correct rotation for the mini front to back same side or criss cross?

 

There's another thread on this not too long ago. Mini USA recommends to not rotate tires as it adversely affects the handling characteristics. Sounds like BS to me. Rotating is good. Not rotating would adversely affect handling IMO.

 

I had mine done at 7k. The dealer is changing again since the car was 'manufactured' in Jan 07. One year since then. I didnt buy it till June but they call it a low milage oil change. 16700 isnt low to me but at least its being done. Its the least they could do since my car is currently getting a new transmission! But thats a whole other thread.

 

The car's recommendation is what MINI goes by for warranty service (free oil changes [Gee, I wonder who really paid for that!?! ]) so that's for them to worry about. Bottom line - its your car! You can change the oil whenever you want! Just be sure to use a genuine MINI filter and o-ring, and a good full synthetic oil. I changed mine at 4500 miles and then let them change it at about 17K on their nickel!

 

IIRC, runflats have to be changed front to back--they are "directional" in their positioning.

ExpatBiker--change your oil! We change ours every 5,000 miles. Just make sure to use the right oil. There's a very interesting thread going on right now about the exact specifications for this.

 

I know mine is first gen, but just for input I've followed the OBC as far as oil changes and have been happy so far, I think I changes it about 8 times, and currently have just over 166,000 miles. I know its a different engine and all, but it was new and had unknown reliability at the time I decided to follow the OBC recommended service interval.

It comes down to you need to do what ever you are comfortable with. One of these days I will remove the valve cover (and maybe the oil pan) and see what everything looks like. But I expect it to be just fine.

As for tire rotation, the tires are directional so if you rotate them you can only go front to back (unless you pay to have them re-mounted every time) I rotate mine as much as possible, about every 6 weeks (~5,000 miles).

Good Luck,

Nik

 

dang ... that's pretty encouraging for a little turbo engine. care to post a roster of problems in the course of those miles?

 

It will be interesting to see if we DO get that with the turbo. So many people say we won't.

By now there should be some heavy commuters on the list how have upwards of 30,000 miles. Anyone on this thread? Problems seen?

 

My car is first gen as well, and when I got it had just been serviced by my MINI dealer. I've driven almost 10k miles since I got it (the SI said 12,500 then) and my service indicator still says 7800 to go!

Even tho I'm using synthetic, I'm going to change it at least once a year, but I'm encouraged by xsmini's experience..........

 

Its first gen, so its supercharged, not turbo.

Its a short list.
Replaced front inner CV boot ~$60
Coolant tank
Misc light bulbs
Door mechanism ~ $80
02 Sensor ~$100 (will replace this weekend)

Under warranty -
Coolant tank
Rear suspension bolt (recall)
boot latch
PCV hose (recall)

General things that wear out - Brakes, tires and oil changes and thats about it.

I've spent a lot more on Mods than anything else

Nik

 

XSMINI You drive a lot! I hope your comments change some peoples minds about not running full synthetic oil at least 10k before changing it.