Oil change....can I get it done at a normal shop?
#1
Oil change....can I get it done at a normal shop?
Hope i'm posting in the right section...
Can I take my 05 S into a normal shop to get the oil change done? Or do I need to take it to the BMW / german repair shop. I am fine with either, but if I can save some money than why not. Also it says 7500 until next service but the oil is looking a little dirty and under the halfway mark.
Can I take my 05 S into a normal shop to get the oil change done? Or do I need to take it to the BMW / german repair shop. I am fine with either, but if I can save some money than why not. Also it says 7500 until next service but the oil is looking a little dirty and under the halfway mark.
#3
Yes, you can take it to a 'normal' shop, but I'd avoid 'quicklube' type places. A local independent who does BMWs shouldn't charge much more than any other place. It's best if they're familiar with the canister type system the MINI uses.
As for change interval, I usually change it at 5-7K, regardless of what the computer says.
As for change interval, I usually change it at 5-7K, regardless of what the computer says.
#4
Another suggestion, buy a mityvac and do it yourself
Since everything is accessible up top, you don't even have to jack up the car (while in good practice to check everything under the car out) not needed everytime.
I've been changing my own oil w/o jacking up the car in other bmw's and this one (in another 7k miles) and the mityvac has paid itself off.
Since everything is accessible up top, you don't even have to jack up the car (while in good practice to check everything under the car out) not needed everytime.
I've been changing my own oil w/o jacking up the car in other bmw's and this one (in another 7k miles) and the mityvac has paid itself off.
#7
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#8
Just got my first oil change since buying my MINI. I didn't go with a quickie lube place, but also didn't go as far as to take it to the dealership (last time I was there they told me to be prepared to pay $120 for an oil change). I got 5 qts of OEM MINI oil for about $37 and took it to a local garage that I have been going to for a while. They charged me an additional $30 for labor and a new oil filter and used my oil. This place doesn't specializes in BMW or MINI but assured me they work on these cars with the same standards as the dealership.
I would also suggest avoiding a quickie lube shop and find a local garage. Some place where you can shake some hands, and form a relationship with the employees. Whether it specializes in BMW or not.
I would also suggest avoiding a quickie lube shop and find a local garage. Some place where you can shake some hands, and form a relationship with the employees. Whether it specializes in BMW or not.
#9
#10
Just got my first oil change since buying my MINI. I didn't go with a quickie lube place, but also didn't go as far as to take it to the dealership (last time I was there they told me to be prepared to pay $120 for an oil change). I got 5 qts of OEM MINI oil for about $37 and took it to a local garage that I have been going to for a while. They charged me an additional $30 for labor and a new oil filter and used my oil. This place doesn't specializes in BMW or MINI but assured me they work on these cars with the same standards as the dealership.
I would also suggest avoiding a quickie lube shop and find a local garage. Some place where you can shake some hands, and form a relationship with the employees. Whether it specializes in BMW or not.
I would also suggest avoiding a quickie lube shop and find a local garage. Some place where you can shake some hands, and form a relationship with the employees. Whether it specializes in BMW or not.
#11
I've read all sorts of arguments pro / con. It was a heated debate on the z3 forums.
They claim it doesn't remove all the oil. On a Mini I don't know but on the z3 and various other cars people have tried it on, they used the mityvac and then tried to drain the oil via drain plug. A few dribbles at best.
The only real valid argument against the mityvac, as I have pointed out, is the fact it's good practice to get under the car to give a quick visual inspection of everything (cv boots, other leaks, etc).
If using the mityvac on the Mini engine and it leaves 1 quart of oil, then the dipstick is useless in our cars because normal dipsticks almost always hit the bottom of the oil pan.
#12
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