OK, I've seen the debates (not presidential, but about oil changes) but I want to hear from this group. I have invested a lot in my MINI and want to keep it as long as possible. I've already got 6,000 miles on tedscar (not hard driving, but a lot of it). I'm nervous about waiting for the OBC to indicate the first oil change. I know I'm basing this in part on conventional oil vs. the synthetic, but I'm about ready to pay for or do my own initial oil change, especially since I have another lengthy trip coming up in the near future.
It seems like longevitiy / peace of mind is probably pretty easily accomplished with an "optional" first oil change. Seems cheaper in the long run than potentially shortening the long-term life of the car. What's your experience with this issue? Any problems waiting for "the" time as indicated on OBC? Any problems doing your own?
I'm not looking to open up a big debate, just curious about this group's experience / issues doing an early initial change vs. waiting for the OBC schedule.
-Tedscar I have had some 20 plus vehicles in my life so far. Even managed a rental car company and years before that sold cars. Durring all that time there were three things that it seemed everyone said to watch. Tires, brakes and oil. The oil producers have drilled in our heads to change the oil every 3-6000 miles depending on who you listen to or which oil you use. This is the first time I have ever had a vehicle that the manufacture has said 15000 miles. One thing that I noticed you said " lengthy trip coming up in the near future. ". Well you have a few things going here. Pros - Long driving (non-short trips), synthetic oil & manfactures recommendation. Cons - First oil change (metal in oil from break in of engine). Now what to do. Well more oil changes can't hurt anything except your pocket. Less oil changes can hurt the engine. You were concernd about another - "long-term life of the car". I tried to look for the thead where there was talk about the BMW/MINI warranty. I am not pluging them here but GEICO does offer an extended warranty for new cars (must be within 60 or 90 days of getting car) for about 15.00 a year they will bring it out to 7years 100,000 miles. So if you slam your 3rd gear out the side of the gear box at 6y 90,000miles you could get a new trans. Or better yet - you used the right oil and had it changed every 8,000 miles and the engine went ... hmmm rebuilt or new engine? Now for my input. Whatever you do just make sure you use the RIGHT oil and save the paperwork. -s p.s. I'm going to find my brain again - so I'm mot here - By the way, has anyone heard from KlownKrr?
-- Edited by MightyMo at 23:07, 2008-10-29
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MiniMo - 2008 MINI Cooper S, Mellow Yellow, Checker glass roof, mirrors and sides, black stripes on boot & bonnet, Piaa black HID Rally lights. Zig Around Zoom Zoom
Just a tid-bit for your knowledge... I friend of mine has an '04 Cooper S that he bought new. He changed his oil at 10,000 miles, himself, and ran his oil through cheese cloth. He didn't find any metal in his oil at all from the break-in. I know you can't base your disicion on one persons story, but file it away as a first oil change info... I'm with MightyMo in that until now every car I 've owned, I changed my oil at 3000-6000miles. It's hard to trust the manufacturer since they wash their hands of responsability after 4 years...
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"It is not the strongest, nor the most intelligent who survive, it is those most adaptable to change."
-Darwin
I'm going to Towne to get supplies (too much arguement over whether American-sold synthetics oil meets the specs) and will do it myself. They were going to charge $95 to do it for me and I'd have a long wait before I get in. The way I'm going, that'd be another couple thousand more miles...
Peaces, Do you still have the original battery in your Cooper? We took delivery from Towne of our Cooper on September 7, 2002. We put it away for the winter yesterday with 10,681 miles on the odometer. I remember talking to you a few rallys ago. If you have 11,000 miles on your Cooper presently, we are catching up to you. George Bennett
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George & Marion
2002 Mini Cooper
BRG/White
Delivered by Towne September2002
Well, I did the oil change yesterday; it wasn't too bad. In fact, it was pretty easy (a lot easier than my '93 Dodge Dakota just because I have a hard time reaching the filter in that).
Thanks to buzz's post on the 'dipstick thread', I only ended up with about 4.4 quarts to refill. The first NAM Alliance e-magazine has a great DIY article about changing the oil on the R56, but it said to add 5 quarts. I checked the dipstick again today and it still read full.
Still have my original battery, in fact it still has all the factory parts (break pads, bulbs and wipers) on it with the exception of tires and some things I have changed like the tail light lenses and repeaters. The original parts I have changed are tucked away safely in boxes in my garage.
Next year the very first bulb will be replaced. Somehow Towne MINI missed my dead reverse light bulb during my inspection and since I wasn't driving it I didn't bother replacing it.
With the kids and my '08 VW Rabbit I find very little time to drive it so you may pass me on mileage next year.
Race ya to the least amount of miles!
Tedscar,
The Manufacturer's recomendation for my year is 10k miles or one year, which ever comes first. I could probably get away with not changing it but I like to be safe. When I change the oil next year the oil being replaced will only have about 175 miles on it. You could probably eat off my pistons.
The oil I use is MINI branded oil from the dealer. I have them change the oil each time the inspection is up, that is also when I get my yearly polish and wax.
In 40 years the engine should still be in perfect running condition, provided nothing tragic happens before then.
Peaces, We still have the original battery in our Cooper although I am somewhat wary of it because of age. Although it has been several years ago I have been through a couple of episodes of good one day/dead the next when the battery was within its rated life.
So far our Cooper has had 5 oil/filter changes, 2 radiator flushes, and 3 brake fluid flushes. All work done at Towne. The wiper blades have needed replacement every 2 years. All original lights are still bright lights. I did replace the air vent grids near the bottom of the windshield when the improved version was introduced in mid 2003.
We have made all the rallys except 2008. We plan to make 2009.
Take care, George Bennett
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George & Marion
2002 Mini Cooper
BRG/White
Delivered by Towne September2002
The decision to flush the brake system every two years is based on the recommended change interval in the Mini Owners Manual. The Mini is the only car I have owned that I have changed the brake fluid with any regularity.
Changing the coolant every two years is my own decision and is largely based on advice given to me by a mechanic at Jaguar Cleveland where I took our MGB(still have it) for service. We were talking one day about the chronic problem many TR7 owners were having with warped heads. TR7s had aluminum heads. It was the mechanics experience that TR7 owners who changed their coolant every year had far less warped head problems than owners who did not. The Mini and most cars today have aluminum heads. As a result, I have chosen to change coolant more frequently than the manufacturers recommendation. The Mini Owners Manual states four years, I change the coolant every two years.
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George & Marion
2002 Mini Cooper
BRG/White
Delivered by Towne September2002
