Short version- N14 turbo, 100k miles, burned valve, head off & being fixed. Now going to replace all the rubber bits under the bonnet. Getting ready for a sizable parts order.

Thoughts on various upgrades for the cooling system?
I thought Samco hoses as the cost seems about even with OEM, but then heard something about BMW coolant interacting w/ the silicone. Also, the don't silicone hoses require the worm drive clamps? As in, I can't use the MINI spring hose clamps?

For the expansion tank, I see there is an aluminum version out there. Worth the added cost? In all my BMW's I've only had to replace expansion tanks a couple of times, but it was always a pain to have to go back into the system you thought you had fixed.

And lastly, any brands of water pumps to stay away from?

Thanks!

 

What about your current system is not working well enough? Are you doing something that will add noticeably more heat to the cooling system?

If not, I'd stick with the stock parts. They are a known quantity.

 

For me if the stock parts lasted 100K I'd be replacing them with more of the same. While those samco hoses may have some cool factor to them I doubt they will be an improvement over the oem hoses.

 

Good points. 7 years and 100k is pretty good.
For me it's less about the cool factor than it is for reliability.
Pretty hard to act cool when your car is dumping coolant on the side of the road.

 

^^^ Dumping coolant is not cool. Driving & enjoying your MINI is.

 

Mishimoto radiator.

 

How have the OEM radiators been holding up? I've been lucky enough to get 15 years out of the plastic/aluminum one on my E46. I always use BMW coolant and distilled water. That's one thing I do 'by the book'.

How is the cost of the Mashimoto and more importantly, the fit & hose routing.

BTW, our Mini is a 2 pedal version (auto trans).

 

Reliability out ways everything IMO. Like previously said, 100K, why use aftermarket. I have 189,000 on mine. Rubber hoses are not the problem.

 

My personal experience is that the thermostat housing and water pump will leak over time. My oil filter housing leaked oil as well, but I have read that some get coolant leaks there.

There is a metal housing water pump available, I would replace yours if it is still the OEM plastic housing while your car is apart. If you have not replaced your thermostat, do that as well. My expansion tank cracked, yours is old enough that you should check the bottom for cracks.

There are two sets of seals in the oil filter housing area, those should be replaced while your car is apart (one set between the oil filter housing and block and one set between the oil filter housing and oil cooler).

There is a plastic clamp that holds the lower radiator hose to the radiator support. Some guys have had this come out, which then resulted in the hose dropping and rubbing along the ground.

If you haven't replaced the turbo oil lines, now is the time (feed line should be replaced with aftermarket stainless, use OEM for the drain).

I'm not trying to spend an extra $600 of your money, but now is the time to do this stuff. It seems like you want to keep your clubbie.

You are having the carbon cleaned while the head is off, right?

Have fun,
Mike

 

Thanks for the info!
I'm well on my way to spend a lot more than the $600 you were concerned about.

The head is at the machinist getting new exhaust valves & guides for both sides. Cleaned, flow & pressure tests, etc... It will be fresh going on.

The retainer for the lower rad hose is a good idea. Would have overlooked replacing it for $5. I had the coolant leak at the oil filter housing at 40k. I will add those sets of seals to my list as well.

I'm refreshing the cooling system with all new hoses, both water pumps, expansion tank, and the plastic t-stat and feedpipe. After owning an E46, I don't trust plastic cooling system parts after that many years.

I'll look into the SS oil feed line for the turbo. All those lines (plus vacuum, plus fuel) were on the list, too.

BTW- it's my wife's clubbie, and yes, she wants to keep it forever.