New Member from Ottawa Canada
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
New Member from Ottawa Canada
Hi, Everyone:
I have just purchased a 2003 Mini Cooper (Indy Blue) and decided to join this Club as it looks like it is a very friendly and knowledgeable place to be.
The car has 103000 Kms on it, which means about 61000 miles and is in a pretty good shape.
While I was shopping for this car, I read all the bad stories about early MINIs but sitll decided to go with it; I guess I like to live on the edge. Also, as someone else said on this Club, just the pleasure of driving such a wonderful car justifies living with a few (I hope) problems.
The car came with a brand new set of tires (Falken ZE912 - 205/55R16) which, I believe, have extremely stiff sidewalls. I got the car with absolutely no rattle, but after a few hundred miles of driving and feeling all the defects in the pavement and enduring a very rough ride, I now have a car that has severe rattling coming from the center dash every time I hit the slightest imperfection in the pavement.
MINI recommends a PSI of 30 all around. I checked the Falken site, which has a neat "application calculator" and, believe it or not, for my particular application, Falken recommends 27 PSI all around. I went and checked the pressure I had in the tires and it was 36 in the front and 31 in the rear (no wonder the car was jumping all oveer the place). I then reduced the pressure to 27 PSI all around and got a much more comfortable ride; mind you, I now have to live with some dash rattles that have developped ( and I hate rattles).
I would appreciate any comment you may have on this tire pressure issue. Personally, I can see why some MINI owners have problems with broken windshields, if they drive a car that is sooooo stiff.
In any event, I am very pleased with the car so far and I am also pleased that I have found this Club.
(I will work on a better signature block soon)
Yves
I have just purchased a 2003 Mini Cooper (Indy Blue) and decided to join this Club as it looks like it is a very friendly and knowledgeable place to be.
The car has 103000 Kms on it, which means about 61000 miles and is in a pretty good shape.
While I was shopping for this car, I read all the bad stories about early MINIs but sitll decided to go with it; I guess I like to live on the edge. Also, as someone else said on this Club, just the pleasure of driving such a wonderful car justifies living with a few (I hope) problems.
The car came with a brand new set of tires (Falken ZE912 - 205/55R16) which, I believe, have extremely stiff sidewalls. I got the car with absolutely no rattle, but after a few hundred miles of driving and feeling all the defects in the pavement and enduring a very rough ride, I now have a car that has severe rattling coming from the center dash every time I hit the slightest imperfection in the pavement.
MINI recommends a PSI of 30 all around. I checked the Falken site, which has a neat "application calculator" and, believe it or not, for my particular application, Falken recommends 27 PSI all around. I went and checked the pressure I had in the tires and it was 36 in the front and 31 in the rear (no wonder the car was jumping all oveer the place). I then reduced the pressure to 27 PSI all around and got a much more comfortable ride; mind you, I now have to live with some dash rattles that have developped ( and I hate rattles).
I would appreciate any comment you may have on this tire pressure issue. Personally, I can see why some MINI owners have problems with broken windshields, if they drive a car that is sooooo stiff.
In any event, I am very pleased with the car so far and I am also pleased that I have found this Club.
(I will work on a better signature block soon)
Yves
4th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Dallas and Santa Fe
Hiya, Yves!
I'm brand new to the board too, but have been lurking for quite awhile. My new MINI is awaiting transport and NAM has been a great help to me while I await his (?---not sure yet of the gender or name) arrival.
Enjoy your MINI!
I'm brand new to the board too, but have been lurking for quite awhile. My new MINI is awaiting transport and NAM has been a great help to me while I await his (?---not sure yet of the gender or name) arrival.
Enjoy your MINI!
Helloooo, and welcome!!! I have an 02, and haven't really had any problems beside the strut tower cracking out. I replaced it prior to any mushrooming problems. Other than that it has been a really awesome car.
Are your Falkens runflats? If so, you can soften your ride further with a standard tire. I have noticed quite a difference in mine. I am sure the 17" wheels paired with runflats and sport suspension is what took the strut tower out to begin with.
I am sorry to hear of your dash rattle. The only rattle I had was in the plastic pieces that pop up when you open the sunroof. That was easily remedied with a couple of strips of sticky backed felt. Maybe someone else here has had similar experience and can offer you suggestions to eliminate or at least reduce the rattle.
Now we need some specs and pictures of your new car!!! We all love to see other MINIs, and hear about them!
Are your Falkens runflats? If so, you can soften your ride further with a standard tire. I have noticed quite a difference in mine. I am sure the 17" wheels paired with runflats and sport suspension is what took the strut tower out to begin with.
I am sorry to hear of your dash rattle. The only rattle I had was in the plastic pieces that pop up when you open the sunroof. That was easily remedied with a couple of strips of sticky backed felt. Maybe someone else here has had similar experience and can offer you suggestions to eliminate or at least reduce the rattle.
Now we need some specs and pictures of your new car!!! We all love to see other MINIs, and hear about them!
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Ontario
Hey Yves welcome. Why don't you join the gang at the Ottawa Mini Club, they meet at 7:30 pm at Pinecrest Mall (IKEA) the first Wednesday of the month.
Plenty of knowledgeable people to help you with your new toy.
.Plenty of knowledgeable people to help you with your new toy.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Hi, Scouser:
I need some advice. Where should I go for an oil change other than to the dealer. I don't know what kind of oil is in the car and I want to put some good synthetic oil in it tomorrow.
I would like to bring my own oil. Is there such a place here in Ottawa.
Thanks
I need some advice. Where should I go for an oil change other than to the dealer. I don't know what kind of oil is in the car and I want to put some good synthetic oil in it tomorrow.
I would like to bring my own oil. Is there such a place here in Ottawa.
Thanks
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 1
Hi Yves,
Another hello from a fellow Ottawa denizen!
I have a MCS JCW, but I believe Coopers also run synthetic as per BMW specification, so the dealer would be using a fully synthetic oil (Castrol). Otherwise, the dealer should be willing to use any oil you supply and credit you that portion of the standard oil change price.
An independent garage that seems to be trustworthy with euro products, and stated they had experience with minis, is "Autobahn Tuning" in Manotick. I stopped in and spoke with them last summer and they seemed very legitimate and professional. But I stop short of giving a full endorsement as I have not personally had them work on my car.
Other locals will be able to give some good advice on an indie shop... the local club is probably easiest way to get all sorts of questions answered face to face.
Another hello from a fellow Ottawa denizen!
I have a MCS JCW, but I believe Coopers also run synthetic as per BMW specification, so the dealer would be using a fully synthetic oil (Castrol). Otherwise, the dealer should be willing to use any oil you supply and credit you that portion of the standard oil change price.
An independent garage that seems to be trustworthy with euro products, and stated they had experience with minis, is "Autobahn Tuning" in Manotick. I stopped in and spoke with them last summer and they seemed very legitimate and professional. But I stop short of giving a full endorsement as I have not personally had them work on my car.
Other locals will be able to give some good advice on an indie shop... the local club is probably easiest way to get all sorts of questions answered face to face.
