I really need the mechanic to properly explain this. There was a redesign for the oil filter, there was a bulletin sent round to dealers, etc.
I have been going to a local garage to fix the car for a while rather than the dealer (another story). This problem has also been going on for a long time, it just became noticeable. For a few years, on occasion, the oil light comes on at idle (about 800 rpm) and if the oil is a bit low (it has an oil leak) so I attributed it to the low idle. The garage attempted to fix the leak by getting some new part (again mechanic needed). Now the oil light is on at low idle, goes away above 1000, but is more 'persistent'.
From what I understand the oil is not being filtered and if I additionally understand it has not been filtered for a very long time. This seems to be because of some missing sleeve. The dealer has shipped out the wrong part a few time, or the same part over and over again without whatever is necessary.
The dealer(s) is stumped, and the matter is going up the line I think almost to the factory level. If this is the case, how many people are driving 2003 minis around where the oil is not being filtered. Any ideas? I need my car and they are going to put the old part back on so I can at least go. (I doubt the car is going to die, it has been like this for years with no problem.)