I've got a 2002 MCS, and the cap for the oil filter housing looks like it's missing the cage in the pic below. This is our second 2002 r53 and I remember the cage on our first car. However, when I look for caps, none have the cage and the cage is not available separately.

Is the cage not needed anymore? The replacement oil filter seems to fit snugly without the cage, I just can't seem to get the threads of the cap to engage with the threads in the body of the filter housing.

 

I bought a new filter housing at the Mini dealer a little while ago and it didnt have the cage

 

Be careful. Do not use new style filter with the cage in them on the old style housing. Can cause damage. The best advice is to either get a new or used up to date version. Not very difficult to swap.
Read below.
https://new.minimania.com/MINI__02_0...roblem___Hints

 

Thank you, that helps a lot. It looks like my car has the updated oil filter cap, and I am using a filter with an internal cage (Mahle OX 175D). So maybe I'm just not getting the threads to engage correctly.

Is the oil filter housing different, or just the cap?

 

Both are different.

 

Well this is confusing. The PO did some sketchy maintenance, so I'm not sure what is going on here. We have noticed a low oil pressure light which I assumed was due to a failing oil pressure switch, but perhaps there is more to the story.

Can someone tell me what part numbers I should order to install a replacement housing?

 

Here
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...iABEgLI__D_BwE