I recently showed up at my local MINI dleaer, MINI of Peabody to have my 40K oil change. This shoudl be an in waranty service because I have paid to extended my maintence to 50K. After reading my key, my MA informed me that I wasn't eligable for an oil change because the oil change indicator read 4050 miles before my next oil change was due. Even though my odometer had already pased the 40K mark, and the last time it was reset was at 25K. The Oil indicator has laways been off by a about 1k to 1,500K

Can MINI refuse to pay for a scheduled oil change because of the oil indicator even though its due millage wise? Has anyone else has thier oil change indicator report inacuratly. Acording to the computer my mini shouldn't get an oil change for almost 20K miles. I think this is absurd! Has anyone else had a similar expierience?

 

I just last week experienced that same scenario with Mini of Nashville, the odo reads 10,200+ and they won't service it until it is either 1 yr old or until the obc recommends it and according the obc it is not due for another 1300 miles , so I guess I will have to wait or better yet, do some fast motoring to use up the remainder of the miles

 

It may seem absurd, but the MINI computer utilizes various inputs to determine when you 'need' an oil change. The number of miles will change depending on your driving habits. Lots of cold starts will call for a change sooner than lots of highway miles. Your oil indicator isn't incorrect, it's adaptive. Many of us do in between changes as we're not comfortable with the intervals determined by the computer.

 

Last spring my indicator read several thousand miles but it had been about 14,000 since the last change, and I was due to leave on vacation. New county MINI (Hartford) did an old change with no questions.

 

My MINI regularly "suggests" over 18k miles between oil changes. I have a hard enough time waiting for 9k. MINI probably has the right to deny service if the indicator isn't down close to zero. The only thing you might be able to get them on is if it's been a year since your last oil change. I had to use that excuse for my final service and they were happy to do it (little did they know I did a change in between).

And as for the service indicator, it's pretty nice to have but it's not literally monitoring the oil's detergent level and dissolved solids (now that would be sweet). It takes into account number of cold starts, time spent sitting in traffic, and probably how hard you drive. This is nice but I would not put the life of my engine on the line; especially when the intervals are so high.

 

I see in other threads that Mini Mania carries an oil change kit for those of us who are choosing not trust the long recommended interval changes. I was wondering where else to get MINI approved oil filters. Nothing against Mini Mania, they just are the only place I have found so far besides the dealerships; and my dealer is way to far to drive to for a part like that.

Oh and one more question, I don't have to buy a different filter for my car since it has the JCW right? I feel dumb for asking but I figure I should before I go ahead and place my order.

 

You can get them from NAPA.

 

NAPA carries oil filters, that's what I use.......Les

 

Napa, really? Having that oil filter on my car won't void my warranty will it?

 

NOPE!!
NAPA part nmber is 7303.
That's all I use, now.
Jim

 

nm

 

MINI is not going to give you something for free. You get a free oil change once per year or whenever the computer says so. If MINI (not you ) has not changed the oil for one year, its FREE.

Otherwise, change it yourself. The book is pretty clear about this in maintenaince.

 

I'm one of those who doesn't trust those long intervals. An oil change is so simple that I do mine every 5k miles. Forget what Mini says. The engine will certainly last through your 50k mile warranty with such long oil change intervals. That's all Mini cares about. Space out your intervals so that you get free ones each year from the dealership, but definitely go to a good place or do it yourself in between! IMO, it's kind of like washing your car once every 20k miles...the paint will not last too many years with this kind of care.

 

I too have been uneasy with the long intervals, but Patrick MINI has been cool about when they will change it and for free. I was just in last month and even though I was told it would be a charge for an early change, they did it for free, and left my indicator alone so that I could return in another 4k or so. I like the guys over there. They are knowledgable, friendly, and don't make you feel underappreciated.

TJM

 

That's alot more than I can say about my SA, he was extremely rude and it took him 1 day to return my call

 

This gets really wierd sometimes. Yes the 'rules' are when the computer says so - and most dealers seem to apply a 200 mile window to that....or 12 months.

Now the funny thing is MINI actually burns themselves with the strict interpretation of this. I had the 12 month interval hit while I was about 3000 out by the computer. Dealer actually called and reminded me to bring it in, which I did. They changed the oil and did not reset the computer . Not long after I went back in when the computer said and yes, they changed it again....

Who am I to argue?

Now, long out of warranty (I'm a plankowner) I DIY. And for those who are getting ready to go that route for the first time.....read here all the hints and advice. If there is a car that is a greater PITA to swap a filter than this one I haven't owned it....and I've seen an inordinate number of owners discover that the dealer has either over torqued or cross threaded the drain to the point of going back to the dealer and then having an arguement as to who caused the damage when the DIY couldn't get the plug out.

sigh

 

Get yourself a Fumoto oil drain valve and forget about the plug. Changing filter's isn't hard at all once you get the hang of it. Preseat the filter in the canister and on the mount before trying to screw it on.

 

But that is common. I doubt they "burn themselves". I bet many ppl dont even realize they get a free oil change every year and it all comes out in the wash. MINI is not giving away anything free. We have all paid for it in the price of the car.

 

Exaclty....

 

Yeasterday I called the service manager over at MINI of Peabody, he was very understanding and supportive of my desire to let the oil change run out too far. He offered to do the change next month when it would be close enough to my 1 year aniversary since my last in waranty oil change. Since I paid for an out of pocket oil change in between I'm not too woried. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who OCD enough about this to do the in between oil change.

I fully understand how the oil change indicator works. However, as impresed as I am with the MINI/BMW engineers and their workmanship. I am skeptical of thier confidence in the oil to last such a long time, and the acuracy of their gadget since i plan to have my MINI for a very long time. Perhaps on my next MINI I'll be a little more trusting, but I want to see how long some of the current cars last first. I'm not asking for anything for free. I paid an extra $500 to extend my waranty and get this oil change (and hopefully new brakes before 50K). Unfortunalty living in downtown Boston, there aren't many good places to change your own oil, and I can't bear to bring my MINI to "Jiffy Lube".

 

Nope, you've got LOTS of company here.
Glad to hear they're working with you! Can you find a kind soul in the Boston area to let you come use their driveway/garage periodically? No way I'd trust a jiffy lube place with the MINI canister.

 

I'm following the "suggested" frequency.

I'll let you know how long it lasts

Nik

 

For those of you who use NAPA oil filters, how do they stack up to a filter with a good reputation, let's say a WIX filter ?

 

Don't worry your not the only one who changes it between your waranty oil changes. The oil well last 15k with no problems. The problem is that acid's build up in your oil and thats never a good thing. I wouldn't take my 97 Geo to a Jiffy Lube so theres no way i'm taking my MINI there.

 

Just an FYI WIX makes NAPA filters.