20k Oil Change Interval?

The dealer technician told my friend that her 2008 Mini Cooper S has a 20k oil change interval...

Seems a bit long to me, even coming from some of the BMWs that have 15k oil service interval (which still sounds too long for me - even if you are running synthetic).

Just curious, but what interval is everyone here using?

1. Whenever the lights tell me to change them?
2. Once a year because I don't put 20k in a year's time.
3. I change every XXXXX miles.

I'm assuming everyone is using their own preferential brand of synthetic.

20k Oil Change Interval?

The dealer technician told my friend that her 2008 Mini Cooper S has a 20k oil change interval...

Seems a bit long to me, even coming from some of the BMWs that have 15k oil service interval (which still sounds too long for me - even if you are running synthetic).

Just curious, but what interval is everyone here using?

1. Whenever the lights tell me to change them?
2. Once a year because I don't put 20k in a year's time.
3. I change every XXXXX miles.

I'm assuming everyone is using their own preferential brand of synthetic.
For my '05, it's every 5k.

I changed mine every 3k-4k in my '02 and '04. Synthetics don't "break down" in terms of oil viscosity, but they do get dirty. The service interval on the '08s is not 20k as far as I know. Haven't looked at my wife's but believe it is 10,000 for the initial. This is also highly dependent on your driving style, as the ECU will adjust. Most dealers won't do the 'free service' until the indicator reads 300 miles or less. My wife's '04 was nearly 12,000 miles before we got to that point, but she had a very light foot.

my 2007 says 18,000 miles for first oil change, they wont pay for it until it says it's time

I change it every 6 myself, it works out nice that way


these new mini's with direct injection foul the oil faster, so do the 335i's and 135i, high cylinder pressure and direct injection = fuel in oil


bmw is on crack with these service intervals, but pushing them to the limit probably still saves bmw money in thousands of oil changes, vs money in a few engines it has to replace

I only drive my Mini less than 4000 miles a year but I change the oil & filter once a year.

I only drive my Mini less than 4000 miles a year but I change the oil & filter once a year.

if your low milage, the on board computer will say to change it at the 1 year mark too

I doubt I will even hit the 18,000 miles it says to go before a change