1. Reach under, I have long arms. Others just jack up one side (use jack stands).
2. Oil pan removal is involved and not something you want to do just for fun. If you have a gasket leak, fine, otherwise leave it alone.
3. Used oil to AutoZone, or other parts store that sells oil. Most take used oil, some states require oil sellers take used oil.
4. Read up on the oil filter replacement. It is not hard but not just a screw-on like most cars.
Use a full syn oil, not blended. I like Royal Purple, Mobil 0w40 is also good. (I am sure others will give more input on oil).

 

Use an Oil that meets the specs... ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL-01. Both German Castrol 0W-30 and Mobil 1 0W-40 meet these specs. It'll be on the bottle. If the oil doesn't carry these specs, move along. Note, the BMW dealer supplied 5W-30 does meet the ACEA spec.

specs are everything!!!

The US made Castrol 5W-30 does not meet this spec.

 

Thanks Thulchatt.

Another question: Everybody seems pretty particular about their oil. Can MINIs be taken to a 10-minute oil change joint? Will they put in the right stuff?

 

Do yourself a favor, stay away from those Quickie Lube places.

 

Where can I find instructions for replacing the oil and filters? What are the best products to use?

 

For instructions click on the NAM Alliance magazine logo on the top left of this page. Then download issue #1 it has a how to change oil on an R56/R55.

For parts I'm a believer in using oem filters. Available from your local dealer or buy from Classic MINI for a nice discount.

 

Great info. Thanks!

 

Thanks buddy for the info. As I am aware of certain manufacturer specifications on oil I wasn't familiar with whatever the BMW specifications was so now my question is.....does Royal Purple meet the BMW standards as it seems to be very popular on these boards?

EDIT: I dont know why I just don't do this before I post but I went on Royal Purple's website and found this:

**** 0W40 Meets and or exceeds European specs ACEA A3/B3-04 warranty requirements.
**** 5W40 Meets and or exceeds European specs ACEA A2-96 and A3-02 warranty requirements.

Although there was no mention of the BMW LL-01 at least it mentions ACEA A3/B3.....what do ya think?

 

So many posts suggest purchasing OEM supplies (oil, filters, etc.) from the MINI dealer.

How do dealer prices compare? I've always thought dealers would rob customers on items like these.

 

I worked at three different dealers for three different manufacturers between 2000 and 2007 and dealer oil prices were always ridiculously overpriced compared to your typical oil on the shelf and this was before any of these silly manufacture oil specifications were around. Just a plain old bottle of 10W-30 was at least $2-$4/ bottle higher than at say AutoZone or PepBoys. So because of that I never even bothered to look up the price of OEM oil. Filters though, I dont mess around with them. If I gotta pay more for OEM so be it.

Steve