I am going to attempt an oil change on my 03S, where is the place to purchase the oil filter?

 

NAPA GOLD # 7303, at your NAPA store. Supposedly made by the same
people that make the factory filter. I have my oil tested with each change, and have had no problems. -Lloyd

 

The NAPA is probably made by Wix and good as long as it has an e-core, unlike this collapsed Purolator filter for MCS (near bottom of page).

 

I've bought them from Federated - filter was made by Mann, same people mann that makes them for BMW.

 

I buy either the OEM filter through Classic MINI (buy several at a time, they are cheap with their discount) or NAPA filter from my local auto parts shoppe. Many find the NAPA filter, with it's solid ends and o-ringed ports to be easier to install than the factory piece that has the deform-to-seal plastic ends. I will agree. However, if you press the OEM filter into the engine housing first, then pull it out and install it into the canister (cover), it makes the install process much easier (you are not trying to force the filter onto the standpipe at the same time as trying to line up the threads).