1st Gen R53 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: New to the site and MC's, got a few questions for you guys!

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  1. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #5 dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014
  2. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #8 cct1, Sep 24, 2014
    +1 on the Bentley manual, the Haynes isn't worth it IMHO.

    SuperCooper.com is a great resource on the internet, once it's up and running again, a ton of DIY's.

    So many people modify their car themselves, there are tons of videos and written faqs all over the place on damned near everything MINI.
     
  3. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #9 dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014
    Yeah, I've got a regular daily driver so I have time to find the right car. I'm still not sure if a Mini is for me, but getting the car into Front End Service Mode wasn't as big a deal as I thought.

    IIRC it's:

    Remove wheels
    Undo fender liner
    Remove bumper cover
    Remove bumper
    Remove crash tubes
    Drain radiator
    Remove condensor
    Remove radiator and radiator support

    Unplugging things along the way
     
  4. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #12 dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014
    I looked up the cost of a power steering pump and WOW, a new one is $736 on Pelican! Even a rebuilt one from RockAuto is $400ish. Whoa!
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #13 Dave.0, Sep 24, 2014
    :lol::lol: yeah this is funny, but so true. :ihih:
     
  6. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #14 dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014
    So, being the nerd I am, I assembled this rather comprehensive list of parts... anything I'm missing?

    Maintenance
    Engine
    Oil change 30
    Power steering pump 500
    Timing Chain Tensioner 30
    Upper engine mount 70
    Belt tensioner 100
    Belt 15
    Belt removal tool (ebay) 40
    Supercharger Oil 30
    Fuel filter 25
    Spark plugs 40
    Total 880

    Cooling
    Water Pump 102
    Thermostat and gasket 40
    Coolant (Dealer) 30
    Lower radiator hose 30
    Upper radiator hose 20
    Expansion tank cap 12
    Mishimoto radiator 250
    Total 250

    Suspension
    Poly lower control arm bushings 86.95
    Total 86.95

    Drivetrain
    Competition Stage 2 Clutch 600
    Clutch Labor 950
    Transmission oil 30
    Total 1580
     
  7. cct1

    cct1 Well-Known Member
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    #15 cct1, Sep 24, 2014
    There is a work around for the power steering pump--just bypass it. If mine went, I'd seriously consider it, since I drive mine mostly on the track.
     
  8. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #16 dsautosport, Sep 24, 2014
    Yeah but how hard does steering become at that point? It's pretty heavy even with a properly functioning pump.
     
  9. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #17 Minidave, Sep 25, 2014
    Don't buy a rebuilt pump, look around on the net and you can find new, correct pumps for a reasonable cost. However there is a factory warranty on the pump till 10 years or 150K, if the car you buy falls into the right chassis range - up to 2006 cars I believe - cars newer than the range warranted have a different pump. Cars from 2007 on are completely different - full electric steering.

    I've fixed a number of PS pumps by just blowing the carbon brush dust out of the motor and putting it back in.
     
  10. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #18 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    Well that's some good news, though chances are if it fails anytime soon, those 10 years are almost up. I'll probably get a bypass kit if that's the case.
     
  11. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    #19 ZippyNH, Sep 25, 2014
    Er...warrenty is 13 years from in service date and 150,000 miles as per the letter from mini Dated may 2013....
     
  12. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #20 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    Oh that's very nice! As long as your build date is before Feb 2005.
     
  13. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #22 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    Should I do the tank right away as preventive maintenance? Or just wait till it pops?
     
  14. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #25 Dave.0, Sep 25, 2014
    Because racing will cause it to fail and every driver will be pissed off at you for popping a crappy coolant tank and spilling fluid all over the track. :incazzato:
     
  15. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #26 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    What if I get a relatively low mileage one? :O

    Maybe low mileage it would be okay for some track days, high mileage definitely replace.
     
  16. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #29 Dave.0, Sep 25, 2014
    ^^^^ Yeah Jan needs a web developer. :p:rolleyes::lol:

    Sign up for an account to the RMW Forum and you will find all the products inside. :Thumbsup:
     
  17. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #30 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    I'm a web developer... Will work for parts!
     
  18. dsautosport

    dsautosport New Member

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    #31 dsautosport, Sep 25, 2014
    Hey, how about this little guy?

    [ame=http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121315375164?lpid=82]02 03 04 05 06 Mini Cooper s 05 08 R52 Aluminum Radiator Coolant Reservoir Tank | eBay[/ame]
     
  19. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #32 Crashton, Sep 25, 2014
    I'd run it on the track until I needed to change it out. Just me at team cheap racing. :D
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    #33 Dave.0, Sep 25, 2014
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