1st Gen R52 Cooper Convertible To Reset or not

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Texchappy, Apr 2, 2015.

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  1. Texchappy

    Texchappy New Member

    Mar 31, 2015
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    Retired U.S. Army Chaplain
    On the Caprock, off my rocker, on the South Plains
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    I'm a disabled vet so I can only drive on 'good days' which aren't nearly as often as I'd like. Just about exactly a year ago I bought an '08 R52 (JCW) and did an inspection one on it (which was about 3k overdue). Now it's been a year and I've only put about 1,500 miles on it. I've got all the stuff to do a regular oil change. I was surprised when I went back and double checked the owners manual that it says you can go 2 years without changing the oil.

    Here's my question: Should I leave the maintenance minder/OLM running or reset it again? FWIW, it still says of 15K miles till next service.

    Also, any tips for taking care of a very low mileage car would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    MINI is a little lax in the maint requirements. With low milage change the oil at least once a year. You'll also want to change all the other fluids if you've not done so or know when they done before.
     
  3. Zapski

    Zapski Well-Known Member

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    How many total miles is on it?
     
  4. Texchappy

    Texchappy New Member

    Mar 31, 2015
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    Retired U.S. Army Chaplain
    On the Caprock, off my rocker, on the South Plains
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    IIRC 70,580 miles right now. When I got her she had 68,900 and change.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    You can reset it, I do all the time.

    When I change my oil I add 3k to my current milage on a post it and stick it om my driver side mirror on the visor.
     
  6. Texchappy

    Texchappy New Member

    Mar 31, 2015
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    Retired U.S. Army Chaplain
    On the Caprock, off my rocker, on the South Plains
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    Roger that, think I'll reset it. I know I need to bleed the brakes and I've got some redline mtf to change out the transmission. When I did the oil last year I changed the air filter and cabin filter. The records show the water pump and serpentine belt were changed at 48k.

    Thanks for the help.
     
  7. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Never reset mine as I simply do oil changes by time vs mileage.... every spring and fall with my tires changes. Don't need a reminder...lol
     
  8. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Yep, before MOTD and again in the fall. Only drive about 6-7K a year.
     
  9. Texchappy

    Texchappy New Member

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    Retired U.S. Army Chaplain
    On the Caprock, off my rocker, on the South Plains
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    Nathan and ScottinBend, are you guys changing out synthetic that often?
     
  10. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    Yep, and filters too.

    I drive it like I stole it.

    There are often a lot of short trips in an urban area.

    I've already broken it twice at under 60k miles. Oil is a lot less expensive than rebuilds.
     
  11. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Yep........same as Nathan, lots of short trips and few miles driven per year.

    And after the last free dealer change about 9.5 yrs ago my oil change indicator only shows it overdue by about 7.5K miles ago. I have 55k miles on it. So the lesson is NEVER trust the oil change reminder. :D
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
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    Depending on your mileage a once a year change may be all you need. My normal schedule is 5,000 miles 0w40 Mobil 1 & a Mann or oem oil filter. Oil is cheap, engines are not.

    On my Miata that sees less that 5,000 miles a year I do an annual change.

    Welcome to M/A here's hoping you have more good days than not. :Thumbsup:
     

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