2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: R56 Oil Change

I had a puddle there as well.

 

No puddle with my R56 oil change. I did however stuff a cotton rag under the aluminum casting of the oil filter frame (for lack of a better description), before I un-screwed the plastic filter top. I just figured with the angle and all, there might be some spillage.

 

fwiw, I use ramps that I pull my MINI up on for oil changes. I do that first.

Then remove the oil cap on the top of the engine. Loosen the oil filter housing just enough to break the seal. Remove oil drain plug and let things drain. Wait 15-30 minutes, then finish removing the oil filter.

I'm not sure, but I think part of the key is taking off the oil cap. Seems like I read that somewhere. Makes sense to me when I think about a straw in a drink and how putting your finger over the top of the straw lets you pull the straw out full of fluid due to the vacuum created. Same concept with the oil change. Just breaking the seal on the filter helps stop that, but may not be sufficient to avoid the oil pool.

Good luck!!!

 

I think you're always going to get a little oil out of the filter, no matter how you tip the car or how long you wait. I just stuff a rag under it to catch the drips - no muss, no fuss.....

 

I've got a question about oil changes. My Mini has 2800 miles left till dealer maintenence but it has been 7500 miles since my last oil change and the dealer won't change the oil until the service indicator is under 1500 miles. So...do I change the oil now or just wait until the dealer can do it?

Thanks

 

If it was mine I'd change it now making sure the service indicator was not reset. Depending on how you drive that 2800 miles may really be more than 2800 miles, a lot of highway driving will slow the count down. When it gets closer to the 500 mark then I'd schedule the dealership change.

Then again if you intend on trading the car in when it hits the end of warranty then I'd not bother and wait for the service indicator.

 

Hmmm...okie dokie. I'd have the dealer do it tomorrow when I take him in for some other work but they charge about 150-200 dollars for an oil change...

 

There has to be less expensive options in the area. Any good BMW shop should be able to do the work for a heck of a lot less. And if you are so inclined, there is a detailed How To in the Library by Chad of Detroit Tuned.

 

I'm going to get the oil and filter and see if I can get the help of MiniDave (since he's in the KC mini club ) But I gotta figure out a time to do it first.....

 

Very easy job, took me 30 minutes. Do not pay your dealer unless you must.... Changed mine at 3000 miles and plan to do it every 5000. MINI is smoking dope when they say to let it go until their first scheduled somewhere around 15000-20000.

 

I stuff a shop rag under the filter housing before I take it loose, catches everything just fine - no muss-no fuss.

 

Glad to see I'm not the only one who LOL'ed at the salesman when he said it didn't need an oil change for 15k miles.

 

:frown2:Yeah happened to me too. I quietly said," well you're under threat of firing other wise sooooo........How much to CHANGE THE FRIGGIN OIL AND FILTER:mad5:?" $70 @ MOD ,Sir. Lets do it:cornut:."

Jason

 

How about a topside change. Looks seriously easier:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TCUdiHDnUg]YouTube - 2008 R56 MINI Cooper S Oil and Filter Change[/ame]

This product I believe is around $40 http://www.liquivac.com/

 

That topside oil changer is 49.99 @Amazon/Northern Tool. Go to airpower america where it's 45.99 and a refurbished one is 30.00

 

They couldn't have put the filter in a more pain in the butt place to get to it? LOL