I have heard from several MINI owners that have had trouble finding a shallow 36mm socket for their oil filter. I got mine from NAPA Auto Parts, which is a nationwide chain. The part# is here:

36MM 12PT STD SKT 1/2 DR
Part No. NT1236M

I couldn't find it on their online site, but the local stores should be able to get it for you. This particular socket is 2" tall, so it works great with a short 1/2 socket drive handle.

NAPA also carries a shallow oil drain pan that works great for the MINI.

Hope this is helpful!

Aaron

 

I just picked up a Craftsman 36mm 12-point socket from my local Sears store for $6.99. Only problem is, I can never buy just one thing in the hardware dept...

Also, I stopped in at my BMW dealer today and picked up an oil filter and four quarts of 5W-30 for about $35. More expensive than Mobil 1, but a friend told me the engine wears better if you stick with the same brand of motor oil.

Jason

 

I'm doing my first change this weekend! While you are at Sears be sure to get the Torx screw drivers for the air cleaner lid.
I will be using Amsoil 0W-30 which I sell at cost for $6.30 per quart. Our 5W-30 is $4.45 per quart or $17.75 per gallon. Have a look here:

http://www.syntheticwarehouse.com/engine_oils.htm

 

Zappa - Can yoy ship to APO addresses? I'm in APO, AE.
Cheers :smile:

 

Yes, I checked and we can do that. Let me know exactly what base and I can double check.
Ches

 

Yes, thank you Aaron! This piece of info is vital to all of us. I'm just :evil: it took so much to find out the socket size and where to get one shallow enough to fit in there along with a wrench. MINI should have printed this info in the manual or at least offered it when I asked them.

Another important note to you Cooper owners about to change your own oil... the filter you pull out of your car the first oil change will look different than the one you purchased from a MINI dealer! They switched them on us. They put the S filters into the Cooper filter boxes and forgot to tell us all.