Just wondering...I changed at about 2500 miles (including a track day). I'm already itching to change it again after another 1500 (and another track day); also, it's starting to look dark to me already. So is there anything WRONG with changing it too often (other than potentially wasting my money)?

 

Chitown_COOP

You are probably better off investing in an oil analysis to allay your concerns - could save you a lot of money in the long term.

_________________
'03 S DS

 

no, the only drawback is the cost. The reason you need to change it is because it gets dirty.

The one thing that some people have a concern with is that when you put the filter in, there is no oil in it. When you start the engine, there is a brief time when there is no oil there. Usually when I change my oil I will put some oil in the filter. However, with the position the filter is on the MINI, you can't do that without making a huge mess. However, this is such a short time and these new synthetic oils are pretty good that I imagine it's really not that big of a deal unless it were to run dry for an extended period of time.

 

Chitown - your question made me think "yea, like it's possible to wash your kitchen floor too often". . .

Do you change the oil yourself? Do you enjoy messing with the MINI's engine and just love doing the little jobs yourself? If you do, then I say Change the oil as often as you want to and enjoy the day working on your MINI!

However, if you take it into a shop for the oil changes, just keep in mind that each time someone messes with your engine you risk them making a mistake. A cap not screwed in correctly, the filter not put in correctly, etc. . .

 

>>However, if you take it into a shop for the oil changes, just keep in mind that each time someone messes with your engine you risk them making a mistake. A cap not screwed in correctly, the filter not put in correctly, etc. . . <<

A very good point. I have always hated to take any of my cars to the shop, especially the dealership. Over the years I have beeen conditioned to expect them to screw something up..........and they rarely disappoint.

Haven't had MINI back to Roadshow yet......hope I have good results with them.

 

Chitown_COOP
I believe this link will answer you question . Long read but, well worth it.

Drain Intervals - By David McFall

 

Thanks for the insight, folks. Yeah, I change it myself. Yeah, I mostly just like fiddling with things. Also, I like the oil to look nice and clean all the time! I read that article, and it was pretty interesting, mostly just saying that oil will last a LONG time in most cars, and that the oil industry would like it if we all stayed in the dark about how long oil is safe to leave in cars. Also, the concept brought up by Daytona is one I hadn't thought of...that for a second there's no oil on your engine, since there's none in the filter, but isn't it sort of that way every morning when you first start your car...with all of the oil sitting at the very bottom of the block?

I realize that oil is probably SAFE to leave in the car for a longer period of time, and clearly BMW thinks so, too. I'm just thinking that especially hard driving will doozy up the oil faster than expected. And also realize that the vast majority of my miles are nasty city miles--stop and go--probably worse than almost anyone else's. It sees very little freeway miles...

So this post has gotten really long now, sorry. I'll probably end up changing it in the next couple of weeks (or maybe tomorrow!).

Cheers!

 

The article is interesting even though outdated. I don't know of anyone
who doesn't recycle used engine oil....
Change as often as you want. The longer change interval in the synthetics
is because the molecules are longer and don't break down as quickly. It is
your money. Spend it as you see fit. I believe you cannot change oil enough
and since it is recyled....who cares? My .02

 

Copyright on the article I posted a link to is March 2003. Don't think that's outdated.
Charles

_________________
He who throws mud loses ground.

 

Actually changing synthetics and other good quality motoroils with phosphorous as a anti-wear additive often will destroy your catalytic converter. 90% of the amount that normally burns off of this additive burns off within the first 3000 miles. Just by going with the longer intervals suggested by BMW and AMSOIL alike will prevent this..

If the oil is not contaminated, why change it? See this brief additive article and my oil analysis.


Analysis - MINI
Additives and their functions

 

Change it daily if you like. The engine builder for the SV650 race bike I pit crew for changes the oil after every single race (this is not cheap oil) but it lets him inspect the oil for particles and to get a look ahead at what is happening. Ignore the other crap about the cat and what not, get a look at your oil and you get a look at you engine.

 

 

>>Change it daily if you like. The engine builder for the SV650 race bike I pit crew for changes the oil after every single race (this is not cheap oil) but it lets him inspect the oil for particles and to get a look ahead at what is happening. Ignore the other crap about the cat and what not, get a look at your oil and you get a look at you engine.

Total nonsence.. The cat issue is a industry concern trying to get oil manufactures away from zinc/Ph based base stocks (ZDDP). It's published in several industry papers including Lubes 'n' Greases. I sponsor two SVs and they run the oil in several races... Use analysis if you race but it is not necessary for passenger vehicles.

 

I think you can change your oil as often as you want. But changing the oil filter too often might actually be detrimental. I read somewhere that the oil filter actually needs some trapped "gunk" in it before it reaches its peak effectiveness. (Obviously, too much gunk is bad too...)

 

>>no, the only drawback is the cost. The reason you need to change it is because it gets dirty.
>>
>>The one thing that some people have a concern with is that when you put the filter in, there is no oil in it. When you start the engine, there is a brief time when there is no oil there. Usually when I change my oil I will put some oil in the filter. However, with the position the filter is on the MINI, you can't do that without making a huge mess. However, this is such a short time and these new synthetic oils are pretty good that I imagine it's really not that big of a deal unless it were to run dry for an extended period of time.

There are a couple of misleading bits of information here that I would like to comment on.

First, dirt is only one problem that can affect your oil. The other is thermal breakdown. If you overheat oil it looses some of it's lubricating qualities. Dino oil does not handle heat as well as synthetic.

Second, having no oil in the filter at startupo is not an issue since the filter is before the oil pump, which is responsible for getting the oil up to the top of your engine. Since you would have run your engine up to temperature before draining the oil in the first place, there will be some residual oil at startup anyway. Much better than a cold start when the oil has all drained into the sump overnight.

Hope this helps.

Oh, one more thing; you can't ever change oil too many times. If you do track days, I would change your oil before AND after the event. You will be pushing your engine to high temperatures during the event so the oil should be new. If you cook your engine during the event the oil has been compromised and needs changing again.