# Oil change for JCW 2006 Mini Cooper S

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 13, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064 "2011-08-13T00:09:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Minilover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Minilover](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Minilover)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 12:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/1 "2011-08-13T00:09:57Z")

</div>

I recently purchased this very cool Mini in mint condition. Now it’s time for an oil change and, although I could take it to a dealer (BMW of Manhattan) for this routine procedure, I would like to save some $$ and use a qualified, yet less expensive shop. Any other options in and around Manhattan?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/2 "2011-08-13T00:20:13Z")

</div>

Do it yourself?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/3 "2011-08-13T00:43:51Z")

</div>

Check “The Mechanics Files” on the Car Talk home page. You can search by zip code and car make. Perhaps you can find an independent mechanic and save some money.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Minilover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Minilover](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Minilover)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 2:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/4 "2011-08-13T02:14:27Z")

</div>

Well, I am a girl, and was never properly schooled in the automotive crafts, so do it yourself is not an option, unfortunately!

However, I did follow up on mcparadise’s advice and found a good auto shop within 6 miles of my home. Thank you!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/5 "2011-08-13T02:31:59Z")

</div>

Check that they use the specific oil required by your very-high-output engine. It will be listed in your manual.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 6:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/oil-change-for-jcw-2006-mini-cooper-s/67064/6 "2011-08-13T06:47:18Z")

</div>

The only thing I will add is that based on your comment about Manhattan this vehicle could see a lot of city driving, endless sitting at lights and stuck in traffic, etc. and you should change the oil/filter on a very regular basis. This may mean 3k miles or 3/4 months, whichever comes first.

That type of driving is very tough on a vehicle and engine oil/filters are much cheaper than new engines.