Hey all, I just bought my first MINI (an 05 Ivory/Red MCS - woot!) and I'm trying to figure out the service interval display. Right now it
reads "Oil Service" and "13785"... does that mean I have 13785mi until the next recommend change, or does it mean the computer wants me to change the oil NOW, and I have 13785 until the next inspection?

 

It means you have oil service in 13785 miles (As recommended by BMW). I personally think you're out of your mind if you wait more than 5000-7500 miles to change your oil. I've changed my oil about 8 times since I bought my car last October. I have 25,000 miles on it right now.

For what it's worth, it costs them A LOT less money to replace a few engines that fail than to add another 3 oil changes to every car they manufacture (They deny most whole engine replacements anyway, so it's likely they'd have almost no out of pocket cost on a failed engine, not to mention it's more likely to fail AFTER the warranty period than during the first 50k miles).

 

The oil doesn't need to be changed for another 13K miles or a year from the last change (which ever comes first) according to the manual. There are those that claim it's a "conspiracy" and it needs to be changed more often, but there's never been any proof of that. Check out this thread to see how well these cars last following recommended intervals:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=128132

Millions of Europeans have been doing this for a very long time as well without massive engine failures. So kick back, relax and save some money. Plus the MINI is probably still under maintenance (if you are under 36K miles and 3 years from original purchase), so the dealer will do it for free when it's time.

 

also- when you're over the service interval you will see a "-" next to the mileage. for instance if you see -2000 when you turn your key, that would indicate you are 2000 miles PAST the recommended service interval.

when you take it to a dealer or a good MINI specialist they will reset it. or if you DIY you can reset it on your own.

 

based on what?

 

Thanks - I have to admit I'm still on the fence. The engine-change-cost vs oil-change-cost sounds like a class action waiting to happen. Isn't everything engineered to operate within specified requirements from the get-go? The simpler explanation is marketing says, it be cool if you only had to change the oil every 15k. And engineering says, you're crazy it can't be done, and then does it anyway. That's how it works in software anyway.

OTOH, that's a lot of miles between changes!!!

 

true, but there are a ton of BMW's on the road that use the same oil change intervals.