To be more helpful. It helps to push down then turn it counter clock wise first to make sure it is lined up correctly. There is a spring on one side of the housing that makes it tilt and go on cross threaded.
I have the same problem on my R53. Some times I try 50 times get mad walk away before it will go on with out cross threading. Other times the stars align and it goes on the first try. You are not alone.
Its not the O-ring its the loss nut putting in the oil filer. Sorry
I have had this recurring nightmare on my '02 since I did my first oil change on the car, more than a decade ago.
It is soooo easy to cross thread the oil filter cap, and so difficult to get it threaded right. Years ago I took a Dremel to the cap and worked on the start of the threads in the hopes I could help it engage more easily. I don't think that really helped, because it is still a multi-attempt trial and error affair, involving verbal lubrication (I.e. #&%*@#!!!) and sometimes taking 20 min or so before it finally threads evenly and I can tighten it down.
On the last oil change I actually fantasied about buying a brand new oil filter cap for my next oil change thinking my original one is permanently jinxed and a new one would be the ticket. Or that MINI somehow updated the later caps and they go on easily.
Today was the first time that I have had a problem refitting the cap, and I've done many oil changes. I read somewhere (probably in a thread on MA) that extreme care should be taken when putting the cap back on as it is so easy to cross thread the damn thing, and I have no desire to replace the housing.
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