So I was planning to take my "still new to me" 2012 Mini in for an oil change and was looking through the manual for info and came across a statement "Oil Changes are only to be done at a Mini Dealer" ?????? Is that a real thing? Is there a reason for this? Is there problem getting the oil changes at a non-dealer shop? Thanks!
Really? It says that in the manual? Are you sure it wasn't referring to the ones that Mini pays for? If you do them elsewhere (do NOT go to Jiffy Lube!) be sure to keep records and rec'ts.
No there is not, but PLEASE, PLEASE do not take it to a Jiffy lube or any place like it. Also I only use OEM filters from BMW.
Really said in the manual. Was going to use Tires Plus actually - with my truck I get oil change and tire rotation all at once. Maybe I'll call the dealer for a price just for grins
+1 on oem filters and no jiffy lube and oh, please, don't take it to the dealer. Below is a list of independent BMW/MINI service shops in your area. When you pick one you like and trust, make him your best friend. My guy says the sky turned purple, I don't have to go look. In a nutshell, dealerships are not problem solvers. If new parts don't fix it, it's a head scratcher for them. http://www.minirepairshops.com/search?q=heartland%2C%20WI
If I didn't have access to a lift I would use my dealer, their price is reasonable.....and I have never felt abused by them price wise for any of the work they've done for me. But bear in mind, they do charge $150/hour for their tech work. It does add up in a hurry......
My local dealer's LOF price was not much more than the local Spiffy Loob's full synthetic service anyhow, so it was worthwhile to me to let them handle the changes. Bonus: if the dealer is doing the LOF, they'll check for service bulletins, recalls, etc. I went in for an LOF on my '12 MCS Coupe, and went home 9 hours later with a new wiring harness & oil pressure (? Temp?) sensor installed. Fire hazard. BUT, there is ZERO restriction on who you can choose to do your LOF's or other routine maintenance, including yourself. Just do as indicated previously- get receipts & keep records. At least until your warranty is up. And yeah, OEM/Mann filters are the ticket. Install a Fumoto quick drain valve for clean, quick changes, too.
It's no problem, the drain plug is much easier to reach on the later cars.....takes an 8mm allen tho. But, you don't hear about anyone with a later car stripping the oil pan threads or not being able to get the plug out......
My MINI dealer has competitive oil-change prices, too, and they found some recalls and items covered by my extended warranty while doing my oil changes. If I make and appointment, they'll even set me up with a free loaner car. CD
I use a top-draw system and change my own. OEM filters only too. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_390306_390306
I used one of those once, it worked pretty well. Since I have a lift in my garage I just let gravity do it for me, once the plug is out.
I bought that exact same one. I used it for 1/4 of an oil change before it broke. Back to Amazon it went & back to gravity I went. I find no hardship in pulling a drain plug even at my old fart age.
There really wasn't that much of a price difference between the dealer and a trusted aftermarket garage. So I recently (after 10 years) started using a trusted friend's garage. I stopped going to the dealer because they always tried to upsell me on fixing new problems. As well, the dealer became under a ownership and they stopped giving me a "regular" discount. So they are no longer competitive in price with the aftermarket on anything other than oil changes.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0138-auto-warranties-routine-maintenance Also this. MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT
Although using other than dealer sources for oil changes can't void your warranty, I generally use the dealer while under warranty, as long as they are competitive in their pricing, so if something does happen, I don't have to show documentation. I just tell them to call me when the car is fixed -- and drive away in my free loaner car. CD