I have a 2009 Cooper S. I put around 18k a year on it (50700 total odometer right now). A couple of weeks ago the Engine Full Power Available light came on right after the turbo made a weird noise.

To cut to the chase, I took it in to dealer who tells me it has siezed up. Today the SA tells me that MINI will not give me any good will assistance due to the lack of oil changes. I go over my history with the SA.
First Oil Change was done at 19000+ miles. They never did another. He tells me that only Annual oil changes are required unless car deems another is needed due to driving habits. I had taken the car in at 30k (10 months later) and an oil change was not needed. My free service ran out.
Due to some misunderstandings on my part, I believed another oil change had occured (shame on me for not reading closely).

First off, shame on me. I dropped the ball, I should have stayed on top of what was needed for my car, totally my fault.
Second, I do not understand something, maybe y'all can explain. How can a car that gets 18k a year on it only require an annual oil change?!?!? I have read (much too late to help me) that they should be more frequent than MINI suggests, but that only helps going forward.
Third, what to do? They want almost 4K (US) to fix it. Ideas, thoughts, suggestions?

Please do not tell me how stupid I am or how lucky I am to get off with just the turbo going south, believe me I am beating myself up pretty hard about it. I just want to gain some understanding and find a way to keep my car running.

 

Buy a turbo, and install it yourself. It isn't a difficult job. Then change your oil every 5 to 6K and check the oil at every fill up.

It's nice that your MINI bought you a farm, you'll like the country!

Dave

 

I have been looking for a turbo with little success :(
I do like the country

 

The car should tell you when an oil change is required in the odo readout which can vary quite a bit depending on how you drive it (city vs hwy). Could be 12k or up to 19k, but ultimately should be done no matter what every 12 months.

Now I am sure you have read oodles of people that could go as far as oil conspiracy theories and even pay to have their oil analyzed by labs to say the optimum way to change oil.

I just follow the owners manual, and use the recommended oil. Simple, it works for millions of BMW and MINI vehicles for about 20 years now with synthetic oil and extended oil change mileage.

If changing it sooner makes you feel better, than do so. Just pick something easy to remember like every 10k with synthetic.

Now to fix the turbo, find a reputable import shop or even independent MINI mechanic. If you can get a copy of the estimate, blot out the prices and send it to the independent mechanic and say this is what my dealer says it needs, give me an estimate.

Good luck.

 

Today's oils (fully synthetic) can go the distance. However, a lot of people here tend to change them sooner. I use Amsoil and it is rated to go 25K miles or one year. I changed my oil once last year and that was it. We do have a difference as I have an R53 (super charged) but I still think that a minimum of 10K is fine on the turbo. Of course I will be flogged now but many people in Europe that I know follow the full service settings with no problems.

This all being said, we get oil cheap here in the USA (I paid 20 Euro for a liter in Germany) so why not change it more often? 5 - 8K for a little more piece of mind is always nice.

Grab a new turbo install it and change the oil then just stay on it.

 

I agree with FISH - find a good local shop and have them do it ( if you don't want to do it yourself ). Get an estimate first ( in writing ). Chalk this up to experience and move on.

Good luck

 

I am definitely comfortable in doing the job myself, I just can't find a turbo other than ordering it through MINI. My only concern is resale (ie Trade In) from doing it myself and having dealer do it. Any suggestions on suppliers?

 

What are you worried about with resale? Just do it and move on. As long as you do it right it is no big deal.

You might give Way a call (www.waymotorworks.com) and see if he has one.

 

I thought ALTA was offering a turbo, but none seems to be found on their website?!?

 

Check with your local NAPA auto parts they may have it - also check the vendor list on this web site. Another option is to call you local MINI dealer ( or the next closest one ) and ask for their "wholesale parts counter" -- then tell them you are with Mullins auto repair or whatever ( if you have a business license its better ) if they ask for paper work ( business license, etc. ) say you just opened up and you can fax it to them real soon -- the wholesale counter normally sells parts at a discount , what that discount is ????

It's worth a try

Good luck

 

I did find one listed on Advance Auto's website, but the description said it was for a Honda.

 

Make sure to buy new oil lines when you replace the turbo.

 

Resale won't be an issue, it's just like changing any other part; a water pump, spark plugs, bulb... Change it yourself, even if you have to buy it from Mini, you'll still save money on the self installation.

 

There is a place in Texas - Waco or Plano, I can't remember - that rebuilds turbos. Did two for me years ago. Thats what I would do if I were you.

 

I think it was Majestic Turbo In Waco.

 

I have a stock turbo you can have for a cheap price....

 

http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...=11&fg=50&hl=1

Parts.com lists a new turbo for $1,262.54 with a $100 core. There are plenty of other sources for OEM parts as well.

As others have stated it seems the CBS (condition based service) way overstates the oil life for the turbo and probably moreso the oil supply lines to the turbo.

An operational side note on the BMW CBS and oil life, the calculation on miles remaining is only based on overall fuel use. Nothing to do with RPM, conditions, speed, etc.

 

OP, MINI oil change intervals are a hot topic for discussion. The one piece of information I will say is very very important is to check your oil every 1000 miles.

On turbo replacements, we replace the following parts:
11-65-7-600-890 <--turbo
18-30-7-589-503
11-65-7-549-372
07-11-9-963-151 x 4
11-65-7-557-013
07-11-9-963-201 x 4
18-30-2-756-352
18-30-7-583-746 x 3
11-65-7-559-557 x 4
11-62-7-619-328
11-62-7-588-104 x 10

All these parts are recommended for replacement when doing a turbo replacement. If you need some more information or would like to order a turbo replacement kit with all these parts, please feel free to PM me.

 

Awesome information and solid advice Mike. I always tell folks to check their oil regularly,

 

Not sure what all of the parts listed above are form Sewell, but make sure contained in those are the turbo oil lines. The lines get clogged up with long oil change intervals, similar to a fatty who eat drive-thru food and has a sedimentary job and lifestyle.

 

You are correct. I spoke with the OP already about this but for everyone else, it is a good idea to replace the two oil pick up tubes 11-65-7-534-454 and 11-65-7-534-455. Also, if you would like to replace the banjo bolts, those are PN 07-11-9-905-176 x 2.

All the parts listed above in my first list is the turbocharger and all associated seals, gaskets, o-rings. Add the three parts I just mentioned above and you got yourself a turbo replacement! Good catch on the oil tubes, yetti96.

 

No problem, I hang out at my dealership too much and have seen a turbo failure due to lack of changing oil. The lines look like crap, all clogged up and caked with sooted up oil.

 

Then they turn into fossils. I really think Yetti was meaning SEDENTARY.

 

Damn you auto spell check!

 

Contact XsBoost Turbos at http://www.xsboostturbochargers.com to see if they have anything available, or could rebuild your existing turbo.

I bought a rebuilt Mitsubishi TD04 from them for my Saab 9-5. Good pricing, and well regarded in the Saab community. I have no affiliation, I'm just a satisfied customer.