Oil Change

[fortunot]

I have a 2003 Mini Cooper. I was told that to get an oil change that there is no plug in the oil pan, so the oil has to be syphened out from the top. I phoned a oil change place to ask, and he had never heard of that. He said to bring it in and he would check. If thats the case, apparently, my oil change could be as much as $100!
Do you know anything about this?

[The Nun]

Im sure there will be a plug, have you looked yourself?
You need to lay on the floor to see though, to get the low down.

[Macguyvic]

Who told you there was no drain plug?

[Macguyvic]

http://www.jimvonbaden.com/images/41...drain-plug.jpg

[Macguyvic]

sorry wrong picture

[fortunot]

I am going to take it to a shop to get them to look. It needs to be changed, so if there is no plug, obvously it will be more expensive. I've never heard of it before. It was a backyard machanic who said this. I did phone a place in town, and they have never heard of that either.

[ging]

if we are talking engine oil, there is a plug

[fortunot]

Yes, engine oil. I have a coupon to get the oil changed, but according to the guy, It will cost me over 100 dollars to do the change. I've never heard of that before either.
Thanks for your replies.
Cindy

[Valvashon]

The oil pan has a drain plug. That I can guarantee you. I've had mine off several times.

Be very careful where you have an oil change done on a MINI. The oil filter canister is different than on most cars and it needs to be refilled with synthetic oil that meets the BMW LL-01 specifications. Not all synthetic oils do. The MINI branded oil from the dealer does, as the the 0w-40 Mobil 1 European Formula (I believe). This is particularly important if you are changing according to the in-dash countdown, as it can be up to 15k between changes. This is the interval I use and haven't had any problems with doing it this way.

Val

[fortunot]

thanks Val. I guess I have to take it to a dealer. I phoned around town at places that just do oil changes, and they tried to tell me that all oil is the same, synthetic oil that is. I phoned a couple dealers and it will cost from $150-$160. But it needs to be done.

[mab01uk]

You need to find an honest garage with mechanics who know what they are talking about.......
For reference here is a link showing how the Mini oil and filter is changed:
DIY Guide – Oil change - totalMINI Forums

[craig5]

the mini uses castrol edge doesnt it? how much oil does the car hold?

[fortunot]

I know it uses synthetic oil. I think its a 6 litre, but am not really sure.

[craig5]

6 litres? cant be that much surely in a 1.6

[fortunot]

Oh ya, thats right. 1.6.