1st Gen 100K+ Believe service needed light or schedule oil changes regularly?

The computer is not really complex on a gen1....been confirmed a few times it is just a countdown based on volume of fuel consumed....drive hard, get lower mpg, it runs faster....drive easy, get better mpg it goes slower...typically about 15,000 miles if driven "normally".
Every mini mechanic I have ever spoken with or talked with said do it more if you want to keep the car....
My routine...I do 7500 or 2x a year......often only getting to 5000 miles before the 6 month or so when I do my mini MX day....
Some folks do oil tests at $25+ to confirm oil life....me....I just change it....one big jug of Mobil 1 (pick your favorite flavor of oil, just like coolaid/or coke vs Pepsi), and do it as needed.
Just don't forget other stuff...radiator fluid changes, Brake fluid flushes, etc....
One tip....
If you have a leaker...and add more " make-up" oil, you can stretch your changes a bit....
Likewise, most folks usually change their oil right after a track/auto-x day since high temps typically cook oil...

 

This should go on that reliability thread. "maintenance love" -Dav.0

 

^^^^ I do this and have no oil issues either.

Do not follow MINI oil change schedules since they believe in lifetime fluids and 12-15 k oil changes. :nonod:

Some oil's may last that long if MINI's did not consume so much oil but then again oil filters do not last that long. Ever cut open a over 10k oil filter, it's not pretty just think what 15K would look like.

 

Don't just obsess over the oil, there are other fluids that require periodic attention and changing too. Also, get in the habit of rotating tires every 5K as well...oh yea, and drive it like you stole it and discover 'motoring'.

 

My .02 change your oil & filter 5,000 miles at the longest. Some folks go longer, but I'm not one of them. Oil & filters are cheap compared to engines. I use 0W40 Mobil 1 & either a Mann or oem filter. Get in the habit of opening the bonnet once a week & looking at the oil level. Don't forget the coolant. Most likely it needs to be changed too, it is quite common to be forgotten about. Speaking of forgotten fluids change out the brake fluid & transmission fluid.

Oh & that maintenance minder, forget it & use your powers of observation.

 

When I got my MINI, I changed my oil as soon as I got it home. I changed it again at 250 miles, 500 miles, 1000 miles, then every 2000 miles thereafter with Mobil 1. Keep it clean and it'll last a long time.

 

Also keep in mind if it is mainly a DD with only "some" track events etc type of driving that the "Just-a" is going to be easier on oil and all parts for that matter then an "S" car most likely will be. Not saying that everyone should follow my maintance schedule but I have done a few track events the 1st couple of years of ownership and usually 3-5 autoX events a year since. Currently have 137,000 miles and have pretty much gone by the computer for oil changes other then the very first one. My theory being that oil, let alone synthetic oil and engines have come along ways since the 60's and 70's when they recommended changing your oil every 5000 miles before most had ever heard of synthetic oil. Granted as the others have said maybe better safe then sorry. Money spent on 3 oil changes a year vs only one MIGHT be money well spent. Just my .02

 

Having a car from new you have the complete history of that car. With a used car one does not know how the previous owner or owner's have treated or mistreated it. In the case of a used car better safe than sorry applies even more.

I know folks who run long change intervals, just can't bring myself to do it. Although I have extended my change from 3,000 to 5,000. The exception being whenever my MINI hits the track it has new oil in the sump.

Good info in this thread.

 

Sound thinking there.

 

Since I run 100% VP M-1 Meth my oil gets dirty faster so I change it more often and most times before 3K.
Even very good oil like Amsoil and Motul is still cheap insurance for expensive engine modification.

 

My sponsor is G Oil who provide as much oil as I can use. I use this Bio-based G1 Racing Oil -- Green Earth Technologies which works really well. oil psi at idle is around 22 when warm but drops to around 17 after a flat out rally stage but after about 15 mins comes back up to 22. Having not run G OIL before I would say give it a try. I change my oil every rally so with road milage I would figure a 400/500+ mile interval.