Why Are Mini Cooper Oil Changes So Expensive? (Answered)

Mini Coopers require regular oil changes to maintain optimum performance and reliability.

However, if you’ve ever taken a Mini Cooper to a dealership for an oil change, you might be wondering why it costs so much.

So, why are Mini Cooper oil changes so expensive?

Mini Cooper oil changes are so expensive because they require synthetic oil, which is more expensive than regular oil. However, you can save money by having an independent dealership change the oil or by doing it yourself.

Read on to find out about how much a Mini Cooper Oil change should cost, and if their oil changes are more expensive than other cars.

Why Are Mini Cooper Oil Changes So Expensive? (Answered)

How Much Should A Mini Cooper Oil Change Cost?

According to Repairpal, a Mini Cooper oil change should cost anywhere between $194 and $225.

Meanwhile, Eastbaymini estimates the cost to be around $150 and $190 on average. Oil change cost varies from one dealership to another. But as we have come to expect, official dealerships charge more compared to independent ones.

Eastbaymini puts labor costs between $75 and $96. But since independent dealerships don’t charge astronomical labor fees, you can beat down oil change costs by visiting your local independent mechanic.

However, if an independent dealership damages your car during an oil change, you can’t repair or replace damaged parts using your warranty. Hence, it’s important to choose an experienced independent dealership when changing your Mini Cooper oil.

Are Mini Cooper Oil Changes More Expensive Than Other Cars?

Compared to many mass-produced cars like Toyota Camry and Honda Civic, a Mini Cooper Oil change is more expensive.

According to Repairpal, a Honda Civic’s oil change is between $90 and $111 while Toyota Camry costs between $117 and $132 on average.

While the Mini Cooper Oil change isn’t cheap, there are other cars whose oil change is more expensive.

Most luxury cars fall in this category. The average Porsche oil change cost between $170 and $220, while Mercedes cost between $137 to $151

Maserati oil change cost a whopping $400 to $800 while the Porsche Carrera GT can cost you up to $3,000 for an oil change.

How Often Does Mini Cooper Recommend An Oil Change?

To maintain your Mini Cooper’s performance and reliability, you’ll need to change the oil once every 4,000 to 6,000 miles. On average, regular drivers clock 13,500 miles yearly. On that account, your Mini Cooper will require an oil change between 2 to 3 times yearly.

Some owners may change their oil more than 3 times. While it doesn’t hurt your car, it does cost you more money. A frequent oil change is only recommended for owners who travel on gravel roads, racing, towing, or off-road driving.

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Why Do You Need to Change Your Mini Oil?

If you want to get the best out of your Mini Cooper, an oil change is vital. Here are some of the dangers of skipping an oil change

  • Thermal Breakdown: A thermal breakdown is the breakdown of oil due to a car engine’s high temperature. It happens gradually but can be devastating. With thermal breakdown, the oil isn’t able to lubricate metal parts for an extended period. Lack of proper lubrication causes friction which leads to premature wear of the engine’s moving joints.
  • Sludge Build-Up: Sludge build-up happens when old oil solidifies in your engine. The build-up of sludge impedes the movement of oil through the engine. It means important parts like camshafts, crankshafts, and bearings are not well lubricated which could damage the engine severely.
  • Spend Money on Repairs or Replacement: Allowing an old oil to sit in your engine will cause lots of problems that may require you to repair or replace the engine. These repairs are significantly more expensive compared to an oil change. Hence, it makes more sense to change your oil.

Can you Change Mini Cooper Oil Yourself?

Yes, you can save some money by changing your Mini Cooper oil on your own. The process is pretty straightforward, so you don’t have to be an experienced mechanic to get it done.

However, the most important part of the process is getting the right oil. Mini Coopers require fully synthetic oil to work efficiently. Anything else would be bad news for your vehicle.

Currently, Mini Cooper dealerships use the Mini High-Performance Synthetic 5W-30 oil.

But if you can’t get the recommended oil, there are a few other oils you can use. They include:

  • Mobil 1 SAE OW-40
  • Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30
  • Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
  • Castrol Syntec European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
  • Mobil 1 SAE OW-40.

All of these are fully synthetic oils that meet Mini Cooper’s long-life ratings.

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Final Thoughts

Mini Coopers are small premium cars that are known for their speed and reliability. They can last between 200,000 to 250,000 miles with good maintenance.

Unfortunately, maintenance doesn’t come cheap. An oil change will set you back a couple of hundred dollars. However, you can save costs by having your oil changed at an independent dealership or doing it yourself.

Sources:

  • repairpal.com/estimator/mini/cooper/oil-change-cost
  • eastbaymini.com/service/service-tips/where-to-get-mini-cooper-oil-change-service/

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