Greetings to all my new Mini friends. I have a 2006 Cooper in pure silver w/a 5spd manual. It was purchased last year (Aug, '09) I'm an "old school" mechanic w/much experience working on 1960's/'70's Chevys....but I'm a "newbe" with these cars, so I'll be asking many questions on here when the warranty expires in 2012. I'd like to give a big thanks to Octane Guy for his postings on rear brake pad changing...VERY helpful, as I have to do mine this wk.(the fronts were easy) Also, I like to keep my cars so, can I expect to get at least 150,000+ miles out of this car? I'm FANATICAL about oil changes...I change my oil every 4,000 miles using Castrol Synthetic, & a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil. Yeah, I know it's over-kill, but leaving the oil in for 10,000 miles or more just does'nt sit well w/me. I had to bring it back to the dealer last wk. for a right side motor mount replacement, & a new thermostat housing...both were leaking !!, but I found out this is a common problem. Also, do those shock tower "braces" really work ?? I was advised to invest in a pair. Thanks for any & all help.

 

Greetings and welcome!

From what I've read in several places, one of the front strut tower reinforcements is a very good investment for a Gen 1 MINI like yours; something of a design flaw in having the steel in the strut tower being a little too thin for the activity of the suspension. The extra layer of heavy plating from the reinforcement is more than up to handling the stresses and prevents the tower tops from 'mushrooming'.

 

welcome n congrats

 

Thanks !!!

 

Welcome

Yes the Strut tower defenders do work, we recommend them for all our customers.

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new ride.

 

 

Hello Dave, welcome to the forum.