I think this may have been covered, but no harm in asking again,

Time to put my toy away for a rest now the weather is turning for the worst,
noW do I need to drop the oil and change the Filter NOW or
leave it alone until its time for it to come out and play again next season.

I know I am a trailer queen, but that is how I appreciate my little treasure and look after it.

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It is best to change the oil just before you store it. The acids in the used oil can start to eat away at the bearings etc over time.
If it is going to be more than a few years than you will need to do a lot more to it.

Would you bother putting it up in jacks stands, disconnect the battery etc

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SPO41 Mk2 Cooper S very original
1993 R32 Nissan Skyline GTR

I would disconnect the battery.
If it is only for the winter than all you will need to do is push it back and forth every month. Maybe turn the engine over 1/4 a turn as well for the bearings and water pump.
I spent a weekend doing things to mine but it was for a 10 year sleep.

I normally put it up on axle stands and leave a trickle feeder on the battery, but never thought about changing the oil, I also put Staybil in the petrol, that is supposed to be a good thing. While it is up in the air I think it may be a good idea to start it and let it run so the thermostate opens and circulated a few times, just waiting for the Pros and Cons to start coming in. Thanx in advance, I think there may be a few more mini maniacs watching this thread, its all for the best for our spoilt toys. :-$

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I'd be putting it up on axle stands if you can also makes it easier to work on it if need be. If you don't intend starting it at all I'd remove the spark plug squirt a very small amount of oil into the cylinder then replace plug and turn the engine by hand once in awhile or turn over with starter motor but HT lead disconnected. A full tank of petrol will reduced condensation in the fuel tank.

Hey Davo , it's not a ski boat , drive the bloody thing , cold weather won't hurt it , nor will the rain ,
the Poms can drive them all year round .

On a serious note , just cover it up , and come out and start it up once a month , thats all you need to do . WHEN , you decide to get it back out again , give it a service , oil & fuel filter change , and your good to go .

If your worried about moisture in the fuel , tip a bottle of Metho in the tank .

I recently (3 years ago) got a mini back in safe working order after 17 years sitting in a barn, it got no preperation before sitting that long, the only mobility issue was rotten brake hoses locking the brakes on. I fired it up on fresh fuel with the old oil till it was warm then changed the oil and filter. It got 4 new tyres and was quite a nice all original mini.
I often hear that the owner is really happy with it, so, store your mini in a barn.

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Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

If it is only for winter, i would be inclined to tarp it only, You never know, a glorious winter day, a trip for an exceptional coffee..

from experience I have not put the car on stands, have good condition Yokohamas on it and have not had flat spot issues.
old style crossplys maybee. sulfuric acid in oil can be present.
Goodie's got the idea.
I can feel your pain though Davo, my seat belt leach's out water when I put it on.
love Melbourne weather

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It's easy once you know how.

Just go for a drive every few weeks and keep it under cover when you are not using it. I think cars deteriorate faster when they are put into storage that when they are used.
I live in Tasmania and even our winter is reasonably mild, it's not like the UK where they salt the roads and ''A series motors love sucking cool air.

Move to Perth it only rains five minutes a year!