Greetings all,

Figured I should go ahead and belatedly introduce myself while I (im)patiently wait for the mods to approve my post to the R56 sub-sub-forum...

I took delivery of a 2012 "British Racing Green II" MC from Orlando MINI on Nov 9th. I think the only package installed is one that I didn't want but seemed hard to avoid: Bluetooth. I only wanted to get a car "off the lot" which also proved to be tricky - there's a dealer much closer to me, Ferman MINI, but they didn't have anything that wasn't already pimped out (I know most of you love your turbos and your John Cooper Works packages, but I just wanted a plain old Cooper).

I love driving it so much I've already put 1200 miles on it, and being that I'd like it to last longer than the financing contract I changed the oil and filter yesterday at 1100 miles. The process was a bit more challenging owing to the low height which precluded driving it up onto my Rhino Ramps and the lack of obvious locations to put the jackstands which meant my head had to be underneath a car supported solely by two floor jacks. I'll definitely have to come up with something better next time - probably shallower ramps if I can find them (or make them if it comes to that).

Three - no four - things I am curious about and hope to find answers to here on NAM:

1. Is it safe to replace the OEM oil drain plug with the Fumoto F-108 drain valve? Looks like it might hit the ground with a hard bump!?!

2. What's the real deal on the high pressure fuel pump issues - confined to the MCS? Earlier models than 2011 (I figure no one knows enough about the 2012 yet)?

3. And whether installing an oil catch can is worth it?

4. Finally, which Class 1 receiver hitch to go with: Mini Do More or MiniFini?

I'll post appropriate threads once I'm out of moderator hell....

[edit] attention moderators - would someone *please* approve my posts?

-Jeffrey

 

Welcome fellow Floridian.

I would opt for the stock plug, the car is low enough already, extra crap could easily get snagged.

No worries with the HPFP, it has a 100k mile warranty and has been revised since the failures began, plus I think it was more of an "S" issue.

No need for an OCC on a non-"S"

I like the MDM type hitch, the MF hitch cost more but is easier to attach accessories.
I think Amazon has some deals on a very similar design to MDM.
What do you plan to tow?

 

I have a 2004 MCS. I installed a Fumoto several years ago. I doubt that yours would be any lower than mine. Highly recommend it.

 

Thanks for the reply, yetti96! I love Ft. Meyers (and Sanibel Island), btw.

This was my suspicion as well, but I went ahead and ordered the F-108 anyway on the off chance it didn't stick out too much because the Fumoto valves make oil changes (and sampling for analysis by, e.g., Blackstone Labs) such a breeze. If nothing else I will at least take a picture of it in place so others can better decide for themselves if it is too low or not.

Excellent! I think I'll check on the valves around the 3k mile mark anyway to see how they look. Maybe take a crappy cell phone pic of them, too.

Good, as I was leaning towards the Mini Do More hitch. I plan on towing the smallest DOT-approved trailer made (40" x 64") to haul tools and such on an as-needed basis. I'll also probably get a bike rack for the hitch, too, even though I don't ride my bike enough to justify it (then again, without a way to haul the bike I'll never ride it... )

I'll stay well within the 1400/200lb trailer/tongue weight limits in any case. Having a truck sort of spoiled me because I could toss just about anything in the bed and not worry about damaging stuff. I even used it to get at least a ton of crushed rock for my driveway (not a smart move in retrospect as that blew out my rear shocks).

 

Newbie here! I want to use my 2012 MINI Cooper S to haul a trailer that weighs 830 pounds, with a trailer hitch weight of 125 pounds (whatever THAT means.) Is this possible? With the exhaust in the middle, I do not see how a hitch can be installed.

 

Have you seen minidomore.com? I have the hitch from them and LOVE it!