I have a new to me '02 MCS and will be my first time changing my own oil and I've read that the early R53a had an oil filter housing that housed a separate spring / plastic cage and was to be used with the cageless filters.

I know from 2004 on, the new housing design is devoid of the plastic cage/spring and is actually designed into the filter itself.

MiniMania states that the new housing is compatible with the older MCS's so no problem with changeover.

68K miles on it, so should I assume that the previous owners previous oil changes had changed over to the the new style filter housing / filter???

I've ordered some filter from WayMotorWorks, but never actually had an option to choose for caged/cageless ..

I don't want to be stuck removing the filter and realizing the filters I ordered are for the old style housing.

 

only the {Justa} Cooper (in US) had the cage and spring; the S never did

I had an early 2002 - bought new - and it had no cage

looking at Haynes for GEN1, page 1.6 Oil Service:

"Note that MINI One/Cooper models manufactured up to 07/2004 have a guide sleeve and spring fitted between element and cover, Cooper S models and vehicles manufactured after this date do not have the sleeve or spring."

 

Thanks Capt !