1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Belt replacement suggestions...

I run a Gates K060535 belt and have had no issues. I also have a 15% pulley and use the belt below: $ 15.52

Gates K060535 Multi V-Groove Belt : Amazon.com : Automotive

Also you may as will do the tensioner since they fail and you can get the same OEM one on Amazon for $76.00 Vs the Dealer $200.00 + for the EXACT same part down to the number stamped on the unit.

I replace mine every Spring.

Amazon.com: Gates 38404 Belt Tensioner: Automotive

 

Depending on the miles you have it well could be a tensioner. You are hearing the slip on cold start, but odds are good it is slipping at high rpm too you just can't hear it.

I change the belt out every 30,000 miles, because they will begin to slip. I believe NAPA belts are made by Gates.

I replace my tensioner every 110,000 miles whether it needs it or not. Also replace the idler pulley & if you have a lot of miles put an ATI damper pulley on there too. Don't forget a new crank seal.

 

It's the exact same part as OEM with Gates name on it. I took a brand new Gates tensioner to the Mini dealership and my parts guy pulled and OEM one and they are exactly the same down to the part number stamped on it and all the other markings.

My parts guy was amazed and could only say OEM one comes with a 2 year warranty but for the cost of the Gates unit I could buy 3 vs 1 OEM unit.

BMW / MINI outsources replacement parts.

 

How about renting us Mid-Ohio for a month & a tire truck, with free rubber? Oh don't forget to rent us a taco truck too. Gotta dream big.

 

Race tires-Mid Ohio, Road America, VIR & Laguna. Put the snow tires on & it's Scioto trail, Shawnee & Zaleski.

Since you are flyin me over drop me off at Spa. :arf:

 

Have you replaced the tensioner?
It shouldn't be slipping in the cold.

 

Well my next suggestion will correct your issue for sure.

More to a place that is warmer, Florida? :lol::lol::lol:

Just kidding.....

 

Amazon.com: Gates 38404 Belt Tensioner: Automotive

 

I had to replace the alternator recently and replaced the belt at the same time. I went with the Gates K060535. I also have a 15% pulley.

 

For some parts, like the tensioner, that is fairly easy to replace, I'd go with the cheap one.

I bought a water pump at the parts desk a few years ago when doing a deep service (Supercharger oil change). When I started having an intermittent electrical issue about 5-6 months later, I went back to the dealership for service. When they called me the next day to say that they would need to replace the water pump (bad shaft seal) before running the car to diagnose the electrical issue (apparently a strong leak) I told them that was great news. The service advisor was very confused, as he was calling to tell me about over a thousand dollars of unplanned work (a water pump replacement is 6-10 hours work). I said "Nope... that's great news because you have to cover it all... that's a new OEM part!" One quick email with the receipt and the new part and labor was free!

Just a reminder that sometimes the expense at the parts desk is a very small part of the total bill and the warranty is nice to have.

 

Wow another lucky guy. Could you head out to the convenience store & pick me up a couple of lottery tickets?

 

I have been buying the twice a week.

Remember if I win I am renting Fontana for a month and paying TN to close off the Dragon for just us MINI owners. :devil::lol:

 

Renting Mid-Ohio should be easy.....they surely don't have much scheduled to conflict with a month of playing around!

 

Wouldn't you rather go to the Dragon and then drive to Laguna Seca?

Then for the big one...........lets fly our cars to the Ring for a week.

 

On my bad water pump, they diagnosed the bad part and then specified that the seals were bad. I guess I just expected them to pay for the labor as the labor wouldn't be required if their part hadn't failed. They didn't let me down.

 

I used a Gates (Part K060539) brand belt for years with my 16% pulley and never had any issue.

Here's a how-to article for the job:

Replacing the Serpentine Belt on an R53 MCS - Library

 

Maybe a Hakkapellitta belt for winter.

 

Please link me the oem tensioner on amazon!!

 

It's in my post and I see Nathan posted it again.