1st Gen 100K+ Just purchased - Advice?

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Boxman, Oct 1, 2012.

  1. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    #1 Boxman, Oct 1, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2012
    So, I just purchased my first '04 Mini Cooper S the other day and it's BY FAR the most fun I've had in a car in a long while. There haven't been any issues and everything seems mechanically solid and the car is at 154k miles. The car, I'm pretty sure was used by some business man who traveled out of state a lot. Though, the interior is pretty nice minus a patch on the leather seats.

    Now, would this be an issue at all? I understand Mini's sometimes have poor reliability depending on the amount it was driven and such. I'm not too interested in the possibility of a money pit or anything like that, money isn't much of an object to me since I'm young and I don't have to hold much responsibility for anything other than food, rent, and my car. Just wanted to see how often I'd be looking to take it into the shop

    I was looking to get some people's past experiences with their cars that have over 100k miles on them. Sorry for the semi-long post too lol

    (Excuse the mess, haven't gotten the chance to clean it yet)

    [​IMG]

    Oh yeah, one more thing:

    Modifications.
    Should I be concerned about pushing the engine past it's limits since it has such high mileage if I were to attempt to get 190hp out of it?

    Would it be worth changing the exterior/investing into it?
     
  2. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #2 Crashton, Oct 1, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2012
    I think a car that is driven & cared for is better than one that just sits. Only you can say if yours is reliable.

    Mine has been pretty good. I've had more repairs than a Japanese appliance car, but oh man have I had boat loads more fun in my MINI. I'd do it over in a heartbeat.

    Make sure you catch up on all the maintenance requirements for your MINI & enjoy the ride.

    Welcome to M/A! :Thumbsup:
     
  3. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    Thanks for the reply.

    Oh yeah, that being said: I don't have any BMW/Mini dealers in my area but every time I start my car, it states negative miles for maintenance. How would I go about getting this reset/looked at?

    It's something I googled but never got an answer for..:idea:
     
  4. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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  5. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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  6. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    Change the fluids, and check the boards as there are several threads on higher mileage minis. Off the top of my head, the things I'd check on a high-mileage car are pretty normal, though several require the car to be put in "maintenance level 1" (I believe that's what it's called), where you remove the front clip (bumper, rad, and swing condenser out of the way - sounds complicated but is fairly straightforward).

    Once in that mode:
    - Change supercharger oil and water pump, including all o-rings and gaskets. Check supercharger gears while in there. Superchargers either "go the distance" on their original oil or they don't. Yours has already gone the distance, good idea to change it - it takes time, patiently cleaning the innards with acetone (or your solvent of choice), using some anaerobic sealant and good supercharger oil, but you'll do it and get another 100k out of it. Total parts cost is about $80 for gaskets and o-rings, a thermostat, 2 bottles of supercharger oil, but it'll take 6-8 hours of labor. May want to replace water pump while you're in there.

    Also while you're in there:
    - Consider replacing the supercharger/intercooler boots (easy fix)
    - Change coolant
    - New serp belt (see below, you'll want a shorter one when you put the pulley on) and hoses
    - Check all vacuum hoses, especially the annoying one on the passenger side under the snout that rubs on the wiring loom and makes a leak. (good time to install a boost gauge)
    - Check the wiring loom itself for spots that rub, repair/replace as necessary. Check the grounding strap to the hood, they break.
    - Update the thermostat to the newer more flexible one to avoid future leaks (get from Mini, about $30, do this with the supercharger replacement)

    I know that sounds like a lot, but if it hasn't been done it's a good idea...

    AND... while you're doing it, that's the ideal time to replace that "defective' factory supercharger pulley (it's 15% too large) with the right one that's 15% smaller... (a clever way to say you're well within range of that 190hp number, shouldn't be a problem).

    OH - consider checking/changing the coil pack and plug wires, and check compression in all 4 cylinders just to make sure your bottom end is OK (it should be).

    I don't write that to scare you, but the s-charger is a pretty expensive piece, and with a little work it'll last a good long time. The rest is standard high mileage maintenance stuff - and some may have already been done so check your records or call the PO.

    Good luck and welcome to the club!
     
  7. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Welcom to M/A the FUN Mini site.

    Since you are in PA and not that far from Philly a great Mini Shop to take your car to is Helix. (info. below)

    Eric is the owner and he will give your car a good look over and tell you want needs to be replaced and what does not and the things to stay on top of. He is a very honest guy and will not sell you anything that you do not need.

    Helix may be a little bit of a drive for you but it is worth the trip just to get an oil change and have him put your car up in the air and get a full health check. (Motor, Suspension, Exhaust, Motor Mounts etc.)

    They are just off of 76E (Schuylkill Exwy) heading into the City from King of Prussia.

    Helix Motorsports
    4648 Umbria Street.
    Philadelphia, PA 19127
    (267) 335-4337

    Helix Motorsports
     
  8. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    Oh - and come to the Pittsburgh area for the Oct 14 PittStop GyMINIkhana event at PittRace (the old BeaveRun facility)
     
  9. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    #9 Boxman, Oct 2, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 2, 2012
    That was awfully.. lengthy.

    I'm a bit of a car novice, so that all might be a little much for me? I'm not really sure? You say 8 hours but since I haven't done any of that at all, I'd guess it'd be more like 16 hours lol I'd have to wait a month or two before adding the Supercharger reduction pulley on, it's a fair bit of money (for now).

    Also, I'd love to go. I'd have to check to see if my friends wanted me to do anything with them. I know I'm supposed to go to the Field of Screams on the 19th.

    Edit:
    Woah, okay. Didn't think it'd be a 5 hour commute.
     
  10. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I went to the Pittstop mini club run a year ago from Philly one day when they went to the Pittsburgh vintage grand prix.

    They are a great club with a lot of friendly members. They also have awesome food and are very well organized.
     
  11. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    Probably would have been a little smarter to ask if MINIs are reliable over 100K before you bought one with a 154K?

    We had one in my shop for our monthly shop day that had 170K, we pulled the oil pan and it looked brand spanking new inside. We also pulled the supercharger and it too loked as new, although we did change the oil just in case, and replaced the water pump while we had it off. That car is closing in on 200K now with no further issues. Oh, and we installed a pulley kit while we had the supercharger off too, no ill effects since from it either. We used the kit from Way Motor Works that comes with the colder plugs and the new tensioner and proper serpentine belt.

    We also have a club member with a Justa with over 200K on it (with a CVT no less!) that has had no issues as well, and this car gets tracked several times a year too!

    So in general, if cared for, I think MINIs have extremely long legs. That said, there are those who have had miserable luck with theirs, let's hope your story isn't one of those!

    The advice to take it to a good reputable shop that knows their way around a MINI is very valuable as well.
     
  12. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    Yeah, probably.

    Anyway, I already took it to a mechanic and he said everything in the car was either replaced or looks like it was coming off a dealer's lot with 5k miles on it. Apparently everything is pretty solid.

    I guess I got lucky? I don't know. I'm just trying not to beat it to death.
     
  13. DixonL2

    DixonL2 New Member

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    Aww, I think they actually work better if you DRIVE 'em! Enjoy!

    Don't take my supercharger oil change novel as necessary f it's already been done, just be aware it's out there. Most folks who've not had problems with their -chargers go ahead and do the oil change and report it was all fine in there anyway. Example: Friend o' mie with a 2004, drives it like he stole it, 17% pulley since almost new, and at about 135k he rebuild the S-charger while he was "refreshing" the car - no issues and the S-charger oil looked/smelled new (that oil stinks to high heaven, by the way).

    Drive it!
     
  14. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    Lol I drive it like no tomorrow, but only because the handling is so amazing.:biggrin5:
    No, but really. A lot of people like to harass small cars on the street. Unfortunately for them, our roads are a lot of two-lanes and a whole lot of turns. Easy passing?
     
  15. Pure87

    Pure87 New Member

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    I bought my '06 MCS 6 months ago with 96.5k on the clock. It was super clean and has all original parts except for the clutch, which was replaced prior to the last owner parting from it. I did do some research prior to buying a high-mileage MINI and picked up a warranty since most of the major parts are near (or past) the ends of their lives. So far, I've had no hiccups, save for my abs sensor acting up, and its now up to 112k and still drives like when i first bought it.

    So i say have fun with your MINI, but keep up with your maintenance and save a bit of cash for repairs. These are cars that are many to be driven and enjoyed, so motor on!:thumbup:
     
  16. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #16 oldvet53, Oct 24, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2012
    Mine has 100,500 on the clock. No smoke, loads of power but am going to have a foreign car mechanic who works on my friends German import Bug do the supercharger oil change and will try and come up with the money for the 15% pulley, pulley puller and tensioner tool and a new serpentine belt. I am going to check if a local parts house can get the water pump and thermostat. But I have run it up to 70 mph. in 2nd and 100 mph. in 3rd. and it acts like it wants more. haven't had it long but feel it was taken good care of no tears in the leather but has a few cracks on the drives seat. I have wiped all the leather down with a good cleaner/polish and everything is soft and supple. the front tires were almost bald but the rears looked pretty good but since I got the dealer to spring for a set of new Run Flats and when they put it up on the alignment machine for a 4 wheel alignment it was perfect and didn't even need any adjustments.
     
  17. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    Welp, haven't seen this on the recent threads in awhile since it was my first thread I made almost a month ago lol

    Mine has actually been running fine minus a pretty thin rotor on the back right side.
    Good idea for finding a mechanic who specifically works with Euro cars by the way. I found one around my area and he took me around my car, showed me the ins and outs, what needed worked on, and how everything else in my car was solid. He's a great guy and a good mechanic. He'll let you sit and watch as he works on it if you so much choose to do so. Apparently my car's engine health is above "average" for a car with so many miles piled onto it. Granted, he thinks I could push my car to 240hp if I so pleased without any sort of real issues. I've got my 15% ordered and he said he's already got the tools to work on it, so I think this is my "go-to" guy from now on.

    I had also noticed that the car demands higher speeds regardless of the gear. I think I hit 45 in first before I shift to second, 70 when I finally shift to 3rd, and so on. Granted, I'm almost redlining at these points too. My driver side seat has a leather patch on it because of a small tear lol but you know, an 8 year old car with an owner that abused it a bit was bound to have cosmetic issues.

    For what these cars are, I think they're excellent from my experience so far. I haven't had any major breaks and no real reason to take it to a shop. I hope you have the same experience as me as well.
     
  18. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    #18 oldvet53, Oct 24, 2012
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2012
    Just Purchased-Advice

    When they were doing the new tire change I asked them to check the disc pads and I also looked while he was breaking down the tires and pads look good, not much wear but have a indicator but mine doesnt have the TPSI valve stems or the band type so that's probably it. The only thing that doesn't work like it's supposed to is the passenger door doesn't unlock with the switch but can use the inside handle and open it that way. My local O'Riellys has the thermostat for $7.99 but the New Water pump is a special order item and takes about 3 days to come in and that is $150.00 that has to be paid up front.
     
  19. Boxman

    Boxman New Member

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    I had the same issue with my door but I think it has something to do with a bad contact in my car. Pressing down on the button and then unlocking it frees it up I guess. I don't know. Might not work for you :confused5:

    Wow, $150? What a blow to the wallet... That's unfortunate.
     
  20. oldvet53

    oldvet53 New Member

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    Just Purchased-Advice

    The mechanic I'm going to use does all kinds from domestic to Ricers and currently has a BMW M3 on the lift so I feel I can rely on him and he comes with a high recomendation from my neighbor who owns the Geman import Bug, he said he will do me right and is reasonable and won't try and rape me.
     

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