How To Maintenance :: Cooper S Oil Change (with pics!)
#101
I did my 1200 mile oil change this weekend. Here's what I bought at the dealership:
11 42 7 557 012 - Filter Element. It's labeled "1 Satz / Kit" with a BMW Group and Made In France sticker on the box. It is a complete kit; filter, crush washer, and o-ring. Oh, and it was $23
Cheers,
Jeff
11 42 7 557 012 - Filter Element. It's labeled "1 Satz / Kit" with a BMW Group and Made In France sticker on the box. It is a complete kit; filter, crush washer, and o-ring. Oh, and it was $23
Cheers,
Jeff
#103
#105
I just did my first oil change over the weekend (5k). I didn't try using an allen wrench for the oil plug, but had gone out and got a T50 torx to do the job. Was easy to unscrew, but oil starts dripping as soon as it's a bit loose. At least on my old Integra, it was at an angle where oil wouldn't start coming out until the bolt was fully removed. This caused a bunch of oil to drip on my hand/arm while trying my best to unscrew the bolt quickly. Secondly, I couldn't tell if there was a crush washer or not as the oil kept dripping for a long time. It looked like there was since I saw copper, but I couldn't pry it off.
I used a 1 1/16" to remove the filter housing, and like someone already posted, a few ounces of oil came out and dripped down. It made a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards. Also would help if I had a longer extension for my socket wrench to clear the turbo intake.
Not too difficult, but not as clean and easy as I'd like. Not having to go underneath to remove the filter was nice though.
I used a 1 1/16" to remove the filter housing, and like someone already posted, a few ounces of oil came out and dripped down. It made a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards. Also would help if I had a longer extension for my socket wrench to clear the turbo intake.
Not too difficult, but not as clean and easy as I'd like. Not having to go underneath to remove the filter was nice though.
#106
#107
So I'm new to MINI's... have been wrenching on "American" car's all my life and I've never seen an oil filter like the MINI's before. Is there a purpose to its design (aside from greater filter media surface area)? Is it really designed to handle the 12K OCI that the factory recommends?
#108
Another question... can the MINI filter be changed without draining the oil? It's seemingly upright position seems to suggest that it can.
I can see a 12K OCI with a new filter and some makeup oil. Even still I would be doing frequent oil analysis, (at that point though you might as well pony up for new oil).
I can see a 12K OCI with a new filter and some makeup oil. Even still I would be doing frequent oil analysis, (at that point though you might as well pony up for new oil).
#109
Changed my oil for the first time yesterday. This thread helped tremendously. I went out and picked up a 12" & 5" extension for my 1/2 drive to reach the filter. I also picked up a T50 for the plug. Turns out the plug is an allen, but the t50 worked fine. I also think a swivel joint would have helped reach the filter because the angle it's at causes the wrench to sit on the steel brace next to the coolant resevoir. The toughest part was getting the drain plug out without making a big mess. I had my catch can underneath and as soon as i cracked the plug loose, oil started dripping out and it got all over my rachet and hands. Luckily i was wearing gloves thanks to the advice of a previous poster.
Anyways, it was successful.
Anyways, it was successful.
#112
Messy eh?
Thanks for all tips! I can't believe how much oil was on my floor when I was done. Not the cleanest oil change I have ever done.
As well as letting out the tranny fluid, I would also like to add, don't attempt to disconnect the coolant fluid...it will not be good for you. Trust me.
I also had to pry off the cooper colored crush ring. I was kind of stuck on the pan.
Thanks for all the tips.
As well as letting out the tranny fluid, I would also like to add, don't attempt to disconnect the coolant fluid...it will not be good for you. Trust me.
I also had to pry off the cooper colored crush ring. I was kind of stuck on the pan.
Thanks for all the tips.
#113
I did my first change this past weekend, at about 1400 miles.
Used my top-side extractor... pulled out a little over 4 qts.
Moving the coolant reservoir is kind of a hassle, but overall a pretty easy operation.
Wrapped a rag around the bottom of the filter housing prior to removal... didn't spill a drop!
Used my top-side extractor... pulled out a little over 4 qts.
Moving the coolant reservoir is kind of a hassle, but overall a pretty easy operation.
Wrapped a rag around the bottom of the filter housing prior to removal... didn't spill a drop!
#114
Just went and bought the filter from the dealership with part no.: 11-42-7-557-012 and includes filter element and O ring but no copper crush ring for $9.77 and oil 5 quarts $39.77. I am going to do the first oil change tonight (~4700 miles). I checked my oil last night and it did not look really bad but it did not look like I thought it would, before I read this thread, nice and gold looking.
Only question I have is I have done oil changes on all my cars before, mostly VWs (which are a PITA) and I have never used a torque wrench.
How important is this with the MINI? And if it is, what do I ask for at the autoparts store?
Only question I have is I have done oil changes on all my cars before, mostly VWs (which are a PITA) and I have never used a torque wrench.
How important is this with the MINI? And if it is, what do I ask for at the autoparts store?
#116
Just went and bought the filter from the dealership with part no.: 11-42-7-557-012 and includes filter element and O ring but no copper crush ring for $9.77 and oil 5 quarts $39.77. I am going to do the first oil change tonight (~4700 miles). I checked my oil last night and it did not look really bad but it did not look like I thought it would, before I read this thread, nice and gold looking.
Only question I have is I have done oil changes on all my cars before, mostly VWs (which are a PITA) and I have never used a torque wrench.
How important is this with the MINI? And if it is, what do I ask for at the autoparts store?
How important is this with the MINI? And if it is, what do I ask for at the autoparts store?
I got a 20-150 ft-lb model because the wheel lug bolts take 103 ft-lbs in the R56. So, the typical 20-100 doesn't quite do it.
I used the torque wrench on the second oil change it provided me with the assurance that I had done it right. If you don't torque it enough, you could get leaks. I don't know how much risk there is of doing damage with over tightening. One thing the wrench showed me is that they don't need to be very tight.
#117
Did my oil change last night and there was a copper ring inside included
Did not use a torque wrench. . .checked for any leaks and there were none and after driving about 54 miles on highway 75mph. . .no leaks . Will check again before I leave and when I get home.
Really easy oil change and not really messy thanx to everyone .
Oil was black and smelled. . .glad I found and read this thread. Will be doing oil changes max 5k miles (ODM 4468 miles)
Did not use a torque wrench. . .checked for any leaks and there were none and after driving about 54 miles on highway 75mph. . .no leaks . Will check again before I leave and when I get home.
Really easy oil change and not really messy thanx to everyone .
Oil was black and smelled. . .glad I found and read this thread. Will be doing oil changes max 5k miles (ODM 4468 miles)
#118
HaHa Funny I did mine lastnight as well!
With 14,983 on original oil it was nasty. I will be doing my own oil changes in between the "free" ones from MINI form now on. I was just intimidated at doing them on my own at frst. Plus I didn't have the tools.
How often shold I change my oil then? Like every 5,000? I do mostly Highway commute to-from work with 45 MPH backroads. Not a huge amount of stopNgo.
With 14,983 on original oil it was nasty. I will be doing my own oil changes in between the "free" ones from MINI form now on. I was just intimidated at doing them on my own at frst. Plus I didn't have the tools.
How often shold I change my oil then? Like every 5,000? I do mostly Highway commute to-from work with 45 MPH backroads. Not a huge amount of stopNgo.
Last edited by kevinminict; 07-21-2008 at 01:33 PM.
#120
Does anyone know the average mileage in between the "free" oil chnages from MINI? I know the computer bases it on driving habits but I got my car July 2007 of last year and yet to see the oil light come on and with 14,983 on my car now I dont think that is correct, it still says 8,000 MORE miles to go .
That DOES not seem right MINI!!!
How often shold I change my oil then? Like every 5,000? I do mostly Highway commute to-from work with 45 MPH backroads. Not a huge amount of stopNgo.
That seems to be standard.
#121
#122
Earlier in this thread it was stated that if you plan on keeping Zoe then do it after the breaking period, which is now and then every 5K. Dealership will do one free yearly (I think). I did my first at ~4600 miles and oil was black. The whole process itself is very simple and you do not really need anything special except for a couple of tools. (T50 oil drain plug and 27mm socket with ~10in extension for filter)
All this said still do you plan to keep Zoe for the long haul or trade in every few years.
All this said still do you plan to keep Zoe for the long haul or trade in every few years.
#123
I did my first change the other day...the only thing I did differently was there was a single t25 i think it was torx bit that held on the coolant reservoir...not sure where the 8mm bolts are that were mentioned in the original post? I just loosened the one torx bolt and the reservoir lifted right up and out of the way. Other than that everything was identical, thanks for the info!
#124
Earlier in this thread it was stated that if you plan on keeping Zoe then do it after the breaking period, which is now and then every 5K. Dealership will do one free yearly (I think). I did my first at ~4600 miles and oil was black. The whole process itself is very simple and you do not really need anything special except for a couple of tools. (T50 oil drain plug and 27mm socket with ~10in extension for filter)
All this said still do you plan to keep Zoe for the long haul or trade in every few years.
All this said still do you plan to keep Zoe for the long haul or trade in every few years.
#125
That break-in change is on you, plus any extra changes you feel might be necessary, thus the OP created this thread to help folks to change their own oil for a reasonable price. A commendable undertaking.