Most liked posts in thread: First Mini: 2005 R52 Convertible - Thoughts, Opinions, and Advice Appreciated

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  1. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    #20 MCS02, May 5, 2015
    The true value of a MINI can never be measured by a book! :biggrin5:
     
  2. jchmini

    jchmini New Member

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    #21 jchmini, May 5, 2015
    Thanks, @N2MINI. The reason for the low mileage is that it's my second car, and I work from home. Thinking about ditching the new Mercedes and just keeping the Mini as a daily driver / single car, as it doesn't really make sense for the mileage I drive to have two cars. A few months of the MB payment would pay for all the Mini repairs...so that's the route I'm thinking of going..just need to make it passed getting the important items fixed (axle, trans fluid, oil leaks).
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #26 Dave.0, May 7, 2015
    Every first gen MINI is worth more than any book says.
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #34 Nathan, May 28, 2015
    Collapsed Engine Mount - Normal, there are various thoughts on replacements. We have an ongoing thread at - http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/cooper-s/24942-can-someone-explain-motor-mounts-me.html

    Valve Cover Gasket Leak (suggested previously) - Normal, replace with OEM

    Coolant Flush Recommended - Should do this every two years. Would recommend doing so if unknown when last change was performed.

    Brake Flush Recommended - Should do this every two years. Would recommend doing so if unknown when last change was performed.

    Interior microfilter replacement (the filter is brand new?) Annual change. If you use the AC a lot get the carbon filled one.

    Drive belt replacement - I do this every year.

    Oil change recommended - Always a good idea

    Oil Pan Gasket Leak - Normal

    Dip Stick Tube O-Ring *seep* - Normal

    Front Crank Sensor O-Ring *seep* - Normal

    Control Arm Bushings Torn - Normal, replace with poly ones.

    Both output shafts require a rebuild - OEM are very good, stay away from Rock Auto type ones, they don't last at all.

    Replace All P/S Lines - Probably needs new clamps not new hoses. The factory ones are for ease of production, not longevity.
     
  5. N2MINI

    N2MINI MINI of the Month

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    #13 N2MINI, May 4, 2015
    Just keep in mind what the car is worth and what your plans are before dropping more money into it. KBB claims that car is only worth about $5600 for a Non "S" car.. If you plan to keep it for years then I say spend it if you have it, but if not, bale out now..
     
  6. wmwny

    wmwny Well-Known Member

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    #22 wmwny, May 5, 2015
    Welcome to M/A! We ARE the site that tries to help its members.
     
  7. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #11 Nathan, May 4, 2015
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #15 Dave.0, May 4, 2015
    Last edited: May 4, 2015
    Welcome to M\A the FUN MINI site. :Thumbsup:

    OEM axles are overpriced and still fail. and at $700 - $850 a side they are crap.

    Just buy a set of Jan's axles $850 for both sides, yes 2 better made axles and be done with axle issues. They are better built than OEM and all the cheap rebuilds and even better then the DriveShaftShop axles.

    Jan Brueggemann
    Contact Jan @ RMW (949) 464- 7691 (RMW1)
    Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
     
  9. jchmini

    jchmini New Member

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    #18 jchmini, May 5, 2015
    Thanks for all the replies, I appreciate the warm welcome and advice on the Mini.

    @N2MINI, I definitely agree that it's important to keep in mind what the Mini is worth. KBB shows me somewhere around $6500 with the prem, sport, and cold weather package and mileage (just under 85k). On one side, I can't find any for sale that are less than this, private party of dealer. The flip side, I paid $2750, and I'm already at about $5,500 including state tax, registration, tires, struts/mounts, and the miscellaneous items I mentioned initially.

    I see more value putting the work into this one, since I've already started, and I'll hopefully end up with a far superior Mini than comparable ones on the used market.

    I honestly will drive the car about 2500 miles a year, if that. I'm trying to prioritize the list of things to do first.

    *Recalls (passenger airbag sensor)
    -Mini said that it wasn't my pump that was failing it was the reservoir, return lines, and suction that need replace, thus they won't cover it.
    *Axle(s) and seal(s)
    *Fluids & Leaks --curious if they just listed all "suspect" items, or they really found leaks in all of the items listed.


    Thanks again for the all help! Not driving the Mini at the moment, but looking forward to getting it back on the road ASAP!
     
  10. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    #27 00Mini, May 8, 2015
    Truer words were never spoken !! :Thumbsup:
     
  11. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #2 Steve, May 1, 2015
    First, thanks for registering and welcome to the forum!

    You're right, that could be a fun car if you get the bugs worked out. These things are worth a bit of effort. Another $6K+ is a lot, though, but it looks like you're on the right track with your idea of at least splitting up the labor, etc. My guess is some of those things are also unnecessary at this point and you could at least prioritize what's important now and gradually get it closer to done and fun OR ready to sell. As to where the line is where you'll have gone too far and will sell at a loss, I have no idea. Definitely put the recall items at the top of the list.

    Unfortunately, you may have picked a less than ideal time to post up and ask for this sort of advice as a lot of our experts are out of touch at the moment at The Dragon. Hang in there, though, and if useful advice doesn't come along soon take a beat and bump it next week when the rest of the gang will be back.
     
  12. minintrigue

    minintrigue Active Member

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    #3 minintrigue, May 1, 2015
    Known issues that may or may not need immediate attention: PS hoses, oil pan gaskets, crank position o ring sensor, passenger airbag sensor was just issued a recall.

    Do the control arm bushings.

    Do the fluids yourself.

    I had an R53, and my current R52 has many of the same issues. Not urgent. Their goal is to make it like new. ..
     
  13. clifforddward

    clifforddward Active Member

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    #4 clifforddward, May 2, 2015
    Most who have had their R50, R52, or R52 Minis for more than 80k miles have had to do the majority of your list. I tackled about 85% of your list as a part of a major overhaul I did in my driveway last winter....if you are mechanically minded and willing to buy and work to the Bentley manual, you can do this work yourself.

    You'll likely end up needing several hundred dollars of tools....I bought about $500 of specialty tools to make the job easier, and ended up saving myself at least several thousands of dollars of labor cost..

    Control arm bushings may be better to farm out.

    Many of these things are done at the same time as you'll have the front end disassembled to do the work.

    It took me about 6 weeks of mostly weekends and some evenings to do my Mini...so you'll need alternate transportation.

    I suspect the the $75 cost you are referring to just the CV boot to be replaced as the cv axle itself will cost much more.
     
  14. jchmini

    jchmini New Member

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    #5 jchmini, May 4, 2015
    Hi All,

    Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

    I too agree that the Mini dealer is wanting the make the car "as new". I would also like to do this, but not at the cost they quote or right away...and I want to find an equilibrium of cost to value for this Mini.

    It's a second car that I obtained to be a project, so it doesn't necessarily have to be driven, although with summer almost here, it will be hard to keep this convertible off the road!

    I replace the strut mounts and struts myself, in the basement garage of my apartment complex, however I doubt that I can do much more in there without getting some complaints.

    @clifforddward, I too have also bought a significant amount of tools to work on the Mini when it came to the strut install. I still saved on the labor (~550), which paid for my tools.

    @minintrigue, thanks for the info! I know that there's an open recall on the passenger airbag sensor and the power steering (extended warranty), but I haven't found any recalls on the hoses, oil pan gaskets, crank position o ring sensor. Do you have anymore info on that recall?

    For the FR axle, I have found the CV assembly online for less than $100...am I missing something? It seems like the axle is rather inexpensive when not purchased/labored at the dealer...


    It's still kind of odd to me how Mini says I have all these leaks, as I don't see any fluids in my parking spot or notice any increased temps. or power steering issues. I do notice the front right axle clunks at time..am I doing damage by driving the Mini ?


    Thanks so much for your replies, so excited to be apart of the Mini community!
     
  15. M1N1

    M1N1 Well-Known Member

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    #6 M1N1, May 4, 2015
    Welcome.

    If you are going to do any of the work yourself, a Bentley manual is an absolute must have. Also, get to know Steven at eMINIparts.com
     
  16. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #7 Nathan, May 4, 2015
    Welcome, thanks for joining Motoring Alliance, the FUN and Friendly MINI Community.
     
  17. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #8 Nathan, May 4, 2015
    For the Axle please get an OEM one. The Rock Auto and the like rebuilds are junk.
     
  18. jchmini

    jchmini New Member

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    #9 jchmini, May 4, 2015
  19. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #10 Nathan, May 4, 2015
    That can't be OEM at that price!

    The MINI part # is 31-60-7-574-868 with an MSRP of about $580

    eMINIParts or one of the many M/A sponsors discount the MSRP.
     
  20. jchmini

    jchmini New Member

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    #12 jchmini, May 4, 2015
    So it's the general consensus that the OEM axle is worth 5x as much as a non-OEM replacement. If I'm going to do the work, I want to make sure and use the right parts, but that's a lot of extra cash for OEM.
     
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