[pprovart]

Hi,

I've seen the threads on running in a JCW, but i also want to change my oil after 1500 miles, so heres my plan (and what i've done so far as i have 89- miles in the clock)

First 100 miles , less that 3000 revs, no heavy-load

100-500 miles less than 3500 revs, no heavy-load

500-1000 miles less than 4000 revs, no heavy-load, but a little bit of lead foot...

1000-1500 miles 4500 revs and then add 500 revs for each 500 miles..

Thing is i know that engines will accumulate fragments of metal etc in the oil sump yet the mini first oil service is 10K miles.. and i certainly dont want all that metal in my engine wearing it down for that long..

So i wanted to take it into Mini to do an oil service after 1500-2000 miles to get rid of the running in metal chippings.. but wodnered if this might break my TLC and warranty ...

Or am i being a bit paranoid!! After all some guy has run his Volvo for over a million miles nad his secret was to change the opil everyh 3K-5K miles... expensive but then worth it i think..

any thoughts?

[S33BBY]

I think you're being a bit paranoid. Many people, including myself, changing their oil themselves after run-in and I don't think it's caused any problems. I very much doubt BMW would even know!

You're right about the metal filings; there were loads in mine when I changed the oil after 1250 miles.

I think it's an overkill to change the oil every 3000-5000 miles, especially considering how advanced oil is these days, but I think changing after run-in is good practice.

[Skykatz4]

I spoke to my dealer and they said that its not necessary. I think its a good idea though and im gonna do it!if youlog it in your service manual so when you sell the buyer will know you have taken good care!!!! It will not affect tlc or warranty as long as you take it to a mini dealer.

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Skykatz4 (original)

I spoke to my dealer and they said that its not necessary. I think its a good idea though and im gonna do it!if youlog it in your service manual so when you sell the buyer will know you have taken good care!!!! It will not affect tlc or warranty as long as you take it to a mini dealer.

What's the average cost of an oil and filter change at a MINI dealer then?

[Alan W]

I totally agree with changing the engine oil after the running-in period.
It's amazing what debris is contained in it after such a short time!
Just make sure you buy a genuine Mini oil filter and also use an oil recommended by Mini ensuring both the type and viscosity are correct.

Alan W

[Scream]

My local dealer was going to charge somewhere in the region of £110, broken down as follows £5 filter, £70 oil, £35 labour. Going to do my own running in oil change over Christmas.

Can anyone recomend best type of oil ??

[Alan W]

Quote: Originally Posted by dav52 (original)

Can anyone recomend best type of oil ??

Look in the Owner's Handbook for Mini recommended oils.

Alan W

[British SD]

MINI recommends Castrol synthetic 5w-30. Also known as Syntec in North America. I change mine every 5,000 miles along with the filter. Which is three times the frequency recommended by MINI in Canada.

[S33BBY]

Quote: Originally Posted by British SD (original)

MINI recommends Castrol synthetic 5w-30. Also known as Syntec in North America. I change mine every 5,000 miles along with the filter. Which is three times the frequency recommended by MINI in Canada.

That may be the case in Canada, but it's 0W-30 here in the UK. It's to do with the different climates.

[Scream]

Sorry Alan didn't find the handbook too helpful, just menioned BMW oil !! maybe looking on wrong page ?

Been to local retailer and he's told me 5W/40 High Performance Synthetic oil according to his handbook. Also Filter seems to be enviromental freindly paper version, instead of usual twist on filter.

Both items came to less than £25 inc VAT. (Sales Tax)

[Alan W]

I use Mobil 1 fully synthetic in 0w-40 grade if I remember correctly.

The filter is only a paper element, as you say, for environmental reasons and fits inside a housing at the back of the engine. You'll need a 36mm socket to remove the housing cover and filter element. Discard the old element and 'O' ring fitted to the cover. Fit the new filter in the cover and replace the 'O' ring that seals the cover with the housing. Re-fit the cover and element into the housing and tighten to 25Nm.

Hope this helps.

Alan W

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

No, you are not paranoid!

I had the oil changed at 1500 miles by my dealer, so they certainly don't have a problem with it being done. I never let the oil go beyond 8,000 miles old either.

The 10,000 mile first service interval (20,000 miles on the R56) is the reason that I wouldn't ever want to buy a used MINI that has only had oil changes at the recommended service intervals

Tigger.

PS: The Volvo driver that pprovart is probably thinking of is Irv, with his 2.5 million mile old Volvo P1800. He's a 3,000 mile oil change advocate and I guess he's probably got a point!

[Snowie]

I had the dealer change mine on my GP at just under 1500 miles.

Oil and Filter change and service book stamped - Mobil 1 oil used

£73 all in - I was suprised how cheap it was.

Snowie

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Snowie (original)

I had the dealer change mine on my GP at just under 1500 miles.

Oil and Filter change and service book stamped - Mobil 1 oil used

£73 all in - I was suprised how cheap it was.

Snowie

Well If I can get it all done at the dealer for under £80, then I may aswell go ahead,
I've been told several times that it's not required, But I can't see it doing more bad than good plus I believe it's good practice.

I can't see this making a major difference, but I'm suprised that they used Mobil 1, as I thought they recommend Castrol...

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

Quote: Originally Posted by mGP (original)

I've been told several times that it's not required

And here is a photo of my air filter, 31,500 miles into its recommended life of 60,000 miles. Apparently a replacement air filter "wasn't required" here either

As it's "not required" for another 28,500 miles you might have difficulty telling which the new one is



With a close up (not for the feint hearted )



Follow their recommendations at your engine's peril....

Tigger.

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by mGP (original)

I've been told several times that it's not required

........After Run-In (that is)

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

And here is a photo of my air filter, 31,500 miles into its recommended life of 60,000 miles. Apparently a replacement air filter "wasn't required" here either

As it's "not required" for another 28,500 miles you might have difficulty telling which the new one is



Follow their recommendations at your engine's peril....

Tigger.

I'm not very good with the engine side of thing's- so I'm confused now....After How many miles am I meant to change my
1-Oil Filter?
2-Air Filter?
If i'm ignoring BMW's useless recommendations?......

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

If I had a GP I'd pamper it! You will never get another one!!

I would go for:

Oil & filter change (always change as a pair, never leave the filter in place when you change the oil) at:

1,500 miles
5,000miles
10,000miles (TLC)
15,000 miles
20,000 miles
25,000 miles (TLC)
etc.

As an absolute minimum:

1,500 miles
10,000 miles (TLC)
17,500 miles
25,000 miles (TLC)
32,500 miles
40,000 miles (TLC)
etc.

Make sure the grade of oil is bang on. If you are going outside the dealer network buy the oil yourself so that you know for sure!

The air filters are meant to last for 60,000 miles (ha, ha, ha). I'd change at 20,000 intervals.

It's your engine, it's entirely your choice....

Tigger.

[mGP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

If I had a GP I'd pamper it!

I fully intend to!

Quote: Originally Posted by Tigger, Eeyore & Roo (original)

I would go for:

Oil & filter change (always change as a pair, never leave the filter in place when you change the oil) at:

1,500 miles
5,000miles
10,000miles (TLC)
15,000 miles
20,000 miles
25,000 miles (TLC)
etc.

As an absolute minimum:

1,500 miles
10,000 miles (TLC)
17,500 miles
25,000 miles (TLC)
32,500 miles
40,000 miles (TLC)
etc.

Make sure the grade of oil is bang on. If you are going outside the dealer network buy the oil yourself so that you know for sure!

The air filters are meant to last for 60,000 miles (ha, ha, ha). I'd change at 20,000 intervals.

It's your engine, it's entirely your choice....

Tigger.

Okay; Thank's for spelling it out, It's a lot clearer now.

[Scream]

Thanks Alan I think that will be a big help.

Snowie, if my dealer had quoted £73 I won't be doing it myself . £70 got me the oil . Maybe they had to drill for it first ??

Looks like i'll have to find a cheaper dealership or continue to do my own pampering .

[Alan W]

Quote: Originally Posted by dav52 (original)

Thanks Alan I think that will be a big help.

Glad to help!

Quote: Originally Posted by dav52 (original)

Snowie, if my dealer had quoted £73 I won't be doing it myself . £70 got me the oil . Maybe they had to drill for it first ??

Quote: Originally Posted by dav52 (original)

Looks like i'll have to find a cheaper dealership or continue to do my own pampering .

Continue with your own pampering, it's a lot more fun and what Mini ownership is all about.


Alan W