MotoringFile Most liked posts in thread: MINI Shortens Oil Change Interval

My R56 must be a lemon, because it does NOT use oil, even though I go the longer interval.

Jim

 

Both my R53 and my 09 VW TDI have shown no drop in oil level between changes (6000-10000 mile intervals). This does not mean no oil is used, just that it is relatively small, and the difference in level is made up by contaminants from combustion, including water.

My R60 appears to have used maybe 0.1 liter in the first 1600 miles, but hard to tell with very light colored oil. I actually would rather see minor oil use (.5 or less liters) over the oil change interval.

 

Oh, and FWIW, Blimey has consumed about a quart every 5-8k miles since he was newish.

 

Slippery subject.... Hey check your oil folks!!!

Most all cars use some oil. It is just the way things are & IMHO it is not a big deal, as long as one checks the oil. Some cars use more oil & that is where the gotcha lies. Many owners, MINI owners included fail to ever check the oil in their cars engines. If ones car does not use much it is OK, if not it is a sure way to ruin the engine & cost yourself large $$$$.

If folks are OK with 10,000 & 15,000 intervals at least be checking the oil. The other problem with longer change intervals is oil breakdown & sludge build-up. It is possible to have a car (MINI) that uses no oil yet is full of sludge. Yep that sludge will also kill an engine although it will be a slower more drawn out death.

My cost to do an oil change is about $42 & 20 minutes of my time. Cheap insurance for sure.

Now everyone go out & check the oil. :biggrin5:

 

ostcount

Jim

 

Yes, the same for us Merkans. But the conditions just changed for last month's built cars...

 

Biggest issue with oil going 15k-20k is the filter.

 

That's OK, I've been called both "racy" and "loose" before.

No insult taken.

 

Yes, it is the same, however most Merkans completely ignore it and do what they have been doing all their lives. Time, does NOT always, march on. :lol::lol:

Jim

(Sorry everyone, but I just had to say that and you would have been disappointed had I not. :cornut

 

I just called my local dealer and the new interval applies to at least my 2011! This works out perfect for me because I'm at around 11k and was going to change it before MOTD.

 

Yeeee Haaa..... I'm aproaching 12,000 miles on my 09..... going in for my 3rd freeeeeee oil change soon...... Yup, the BMW bean counters are not making any extra on my deal..... Ha Ha, counting the original fill, that works out to 3,000 mile oil changes handled by BMW..... Expect a mainframe meltdown soon at BMW headquarters.....

 

Absolutely Jim, no need for apology.

 

Indeed, my 2/27/12 built MCS is dutifully counting down from 15,000.

I took delivery on 3/28, now at 2100 miles, service indicator showing 13,000 to go.

I'm on the change-it-myself-more-often program anyhow.

I'd echo Nathan's post early in this thread: oh, to be the person on the phone answering questions about this! "Wait: my car was built two days earlier, and somehow it can have 33%/50% more miles between changes than a car built two days later? Are the bearings different? Is the filter different?" yada yada. Not fun, I'm sure.

 

Why worry about the interval? With the oil consumption problem MINI is having with this motor, my mechanic was told by a dealer mechanic supervisor, that it is not uncommon for this motor to use a pint of oil in 700-1000 miles :crazy: Pretty much have good oil all the time, just change the filter once in awhile......just kidding.... But not about the consumption problem. I am aware that the 2012 refresh motor has fixed the dreaded timing chain debacle, but beleive they have not addressed the oil consumption problem? We need to check our oil on every 3-4 gas fill up.

 

A trusted source at the dealership told me they are seeing these engines come in 3 quarts of oil low at the time of the oil service. It appears checking ones oil is a lost art.

 

Crash, I think people stopped checking their oil, when there were no more gas station attendants to ask if you wanted them to check it for you. :lol:

Jim

 

So very stupid, for the lack of spending 2 minutes of time folks kill their engines. If folks do not want to check there own oil all they have to do is go to the full service island & buy some gas. Check the oil please, simple isn't it.

 

Thing is, people are not used to checking the oil in these generation cars. 1st gen MINIS, R50-R53, don't use oil, this motor eats it? People coming from Honda, Toyota,.....ect., are just not used to checking oil.

 

Guess their Paw didn't learn them right. :crazy: Ya know we MINI owners are lucky, at least our cars have dipsticks we can check unlike BMW's.

 

Alas, using a quart of oil per 1,000 miles and still being considered "acceptable" is not limited to MINIs.