When I first got my MINI (2003 MC in June 2003), I waited until the computer told me to get the oil changed (~9,000K miles) and got it done at the dealer. In those 9K miles, the car "lost" maybe 1/4 quart which I had to top-off at around 6K miles. Not bad, right?

Now I just want to take a quick survey: who here has actually waited the 15K miles between the first and second oil change done at the dealer? Everything cool with keeping the oil in that long? I know there have been lots of talk about this...just keeping the topic alive and strong. Heh.

Rock On,

-MB

 

Check out this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=30607


Hope this helps...

 

slight burning is normal. e36 and e46 M3's burn more oil then that in less time, like one week or something. 15k is what mini and bmw do. if you keep on top of it you should be fine. just make sure you are putting synthetic oil in your car.

chris

 

I had my first oil change at 8,700and went 14,000 miles before the second
one. No problems, but I noticed how much better the engine responded this time with fresh oil. I'll be doing it every 7,500 miles in the future.

 

'04 MCS, first ever oil change done at 10,200 miles. Will wait another 15K miles for the second one. Right now the computer says I have another 13,500 miles to go before the next service.

'02 MC CVT, first ever oil change done at 10,000 miles, second oil change done at 23K miles. CVT transmission oil and coolant also replaced at the 23K service stop.

So far absolutely no problems.:smile:

 

I usually change out at mid point about 7k. Just because I dont like the type of synthetic BMW/Mini uses. And it helps me sleep better at night.

 

Because oil is cheap :smile: and engines are expensive , I'm planning on changing my oil every 5k miles. I paid my dealer for an oil change at 5k and MINI paid for one at a little less than 10k.

It may not be necessary to change the oil more often than the service indicator tells you to, but it makes me feel better.

 

I have the oil changed every 7500 miles with Mobil One, not Castrol. 15w-50 in summer, 5w-30 in winter.

 

I have been following the MINI recomended (computer indicated) intervals. My first was around 17000, second around 36000, and my next one is due in another 4000, at about 54000. I have no complaints. The oil is a little dirty, at the changes, but cleaner than my old honda at the 7500 mile recomended changes.

Nik

 

I have about 10,500 and computer says I have another 2000 or so before my 1st oil change. I plan to change at 7500 mi. intervals from then on..

Its probably discussed in another thread somewhere, But where do you all do your inbetween oil changes? Jiffy lube, Expressway, dealer?

 

I did my first at the dealer which charged about $50.00. From then I did them myself for half the price.
I wouldnt recommend Jiffy Lube or those quick lube joints. They are usually teenagers that dont really know or care about what they are doing. Do a search anywhere and I am sure you will find horror stories from anywhere there is a quick lube place.

 

Helix or the dealer. And I always bring my own oil. :smile:

 

I change mine myself. It's not that bad - get the filter from the dealer and some Mobil 1 5w-30 synthetic from anywhere that sells it. The only hard part is keeping the oil in the canister from dripping down when you take the canister off as it's pointed downwards.

I did my 1st change at 5k miles to get all the break-in crap out. The dealer did the 2nd one around 11k miles. I did the 3rd around 19k miles and the dealer did the 4th at 26k miles. Now that the dealer won't be doing any more on the house, I'll continue with a 7500 mile change interval. I plan to keep this MINI a long time if it can last.

 

I am changing the oil in my MINI tomorrow with Amsoil 5W40. I was trying to decide between 0w30 amsoil and 5w40 but 5w40 is a recomended spec and my amsoil rep had some damaged label stock sitting around so I got it for free. :D

I work at one of those quick lube shops and we are good. The trick is to find a mom and pop opperation or very small franchise and get to know the people.

We have worked on 1930's era hotrods all the way up to a 2001 honda S2000, 2003 Vipers etc.

 

If you could tell a noticeable difference in engine response just from changing oil there had to be damage going on in your engine with the 14,000 mile stuff. Hope nothing was hurt too bad.

R.E.

 

I do mine about every 3k miles or so. Even w/ Synthetic oil, I've never been able to bring myself to changing oil at 7-10k miles.

 

I'm planning on changing the oil every 5,000 miles, alternating between me and the Mini dealership. 15K seems way too long. I could understand this interval if Mini suggested replacing the oil filter every 5,000 miles and topping off the oil with a fresh quart. Synthetic or not, there's stuff in the oil that ain't getting filtered out near the 15k mark. I drive my cars for 200,000 miles before giving them up...not taking any chances. A smart man above said, "oil is cheap and engines are expensive." Yup, enough said!