Engine Drivetrain 1st Gen Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: Supercharger dilemma

Several MINI owners, and thousands of Ford and GM guys over the years. Steigmeister is at the top of my list personally, as you cant really replace a decade or two of knowledge w/ these Eatons.

 

I would get a second opinion. I know people around here [on MA] who have a LOT more miles that that, and on older MINIs, too. However, you need to tell us where you are, because sometimes climates DO enter into the way cars deteriorate.

 

If you do decide to replace the S/C then go see Will at Bob's Tire and Auto in Lewisville. He has the experience with MINI's to the job.

Also might want to check out MetroplexMINI.org , they are a very active club in the D/FW area.

 

:cornut: Just me and I'm not an expert BUT, the R55 Clubman in nonturbocharged/normally aspirated form seems to have little in the way of drive train problems but is (my opinion)under powered. The MCS and JCW platforms have plenty of power but come with growing pain problems(new French Prince engine 07-now as opposed to previous R50-53 02-06 Chrysler Brazilian made Tritec/Pentagon engine). In my 08 R56 MCS/JCW @40kmi(so far) timing chain tension oiler replaced, right front axle seal replaced, oil filter housing to block seal replaced, and the head gasket replaced. Now ONE MONTH LATER, the head gasket appears to have blown again.:mad2::frown2::incazzato::mad5: Her appointment at Mini of Dallas is Mon 18Apr11. Were I you, I would strongly consider a rebuild until BMW/MINI gets the engine kinks worked out. In the DFW area, the best place to get good unbiased advice as to shops etc is: Metroplex Mini.com . A Mini club in your area.

Jasonopcorn:opcorn:

 

I believe "new" superchargers are no longer available. Refurbished is all there is.

...Les

 

SC

How about one off of a low-mileage salvage car?

 

My '04 is just under 170K and still on the original S/C. I was talking to a gal last week with 140K and she had the original S/C also. She did have a belt tensioner replaced but not the S/C. Your mileage sounds very low to have a failure (although not impossible). I would definitely get a second opinion.

 

One solution is a "new reman" stock supercharger which is about $1500, or we also offer a rebuilt ported supercharger for $995.

 

My SC failed at 110k. I did ALOT of research and have heard of them failing anywhere from 50k to nearly 200k. After all my research I went with getting mine rebuilt by auto x cooper
check them out at autoxcooper.com . Watch this video and you'll see why. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLugkfUDY3c&feature=player_embedded]MINI Cooper S M45 Supercharger rebuild charger rebuilt Eaton Sprintex pulley water pump - YouTube[/ame]

 

In anticipation of the future failure of my SC, I also came across these guys:

Stiegemeier Pricing Schedule

Scroll down to the MINI rebuild/repair pricing. Several MINI owners have apparently used them and have been satisfied.

 

Stay away from Bob's. I'm in DFW area. One of our club members recently did a SC service on his own. Time consuming but not difficult. Shoot me a PM if you're not a club member yet for direction.

 

Hey! That was me!

It is definately possible by a home mechanic if you have a garage that you can spare to be tied up for a few days. Not only did I do the work, but it was also turned into a 20-page write-up (well.... most of that is pictures) and was posted in the Motoring Alliance library: http://www.motoringalliance.com/library/1st-generation-mini-cooper-how-to-3/supercharger-oil-service--oil-pan-gasket-100/

 

stay away from ported chargers.........most are worse than just rebuilt ones.........we have dyno'd many of them