Couple of Questions for New MINI owners

[dtb2253x]

First, i live 200 miles from the dealer, so it's not real easy to take the car in.

My 2003 Cooper S has 21,000. Dealer performed schduled service at 12,000. Countdown say 8,300 to go until next. Seems like a lot of miles between oil changes.

Oil light comes on occassionally, especially at idle or when going uphill. Oil level is fine. Dealer didn't seem to worried told me to bring it in sometime. 200 miles. Anyone else have this problem? is it real or just a sensor malfunction.

Terrible rattle from rear hatch area. Again, any one else have this occur, and know what causes it?

Thanks

[Bostonbahn]

your issue with the oil light comes from the oil filter housing itself. It is caused by either a bad oil pressure sensor or one of the valves inside the oil filter housing. The fix for this is replacing the oil filter housing, the dealership should be able to do this under warranty. I am a Mini tech and we see this problem occasionally, we replace the oil filter housing and the problem goes away.
About the rattle in the rear, check the striker on the hatch is it chrome or is it matte black? If its chrome then you need the updated latch striker. If it is matte black it could be something else. Try putting a dolup of white lithium grease on the striker and see if it goes away. It may also be caused by the balls from the hatch cover. try taking the cover out and see if it goes away. If this doesn't do it then it is coming from one of the panels in the rear area.