I have wanted a MINI for many years now, and with my son turning 16 I had to purchase another car. So the time was right and I finally purchased a MINI!

I purchased a 2007 Hatchback S in Sparkling Silver Metallic with a little over 50K Miles. It has Sport Package, Convenience Package, Premium Package. It's pretty much loaded out with everything and Tuscan Beige Interior which I must admit I didn't like at first but is growing on me. My favorite unexpected feature of my MINI is the illumination package on the door panels, etc. The light color interior really shows off the LED's when I have them set to orange.

I've been lurking on here for some time trying to gather info about common issues. After purchasing my car a few weeks ago and confirming what everyone has said about the sound system, I replaced the front speakers a few days ago. I put the new Focal Integration Series 6.5" components in the front. The jury is still out on those, they are pretty bright, but seem to be breaking in (and smoothing out) a little. Today, I did the 'channel swap', not expecting much and WOW! It made a much bigger difference than I thought it would. The rear speakers still need to be changed out eventually, but for now this is much better than the stock system. I want to thank all on this forum who did all the leg work on the 'channel swap' upgrade as well as the great tutorials on how to take off the door panels and do the speaker install for the front doors.

Other things I want to do... Tint the windows, and probably the sunroof. Also, maybe get a strut tower bar and a rear stabilizer bar. Later on maybe one of those cool speedo decals with a British Flag on it.

I do think I have a wheel bearing going out and I think it is on the front right wheel. I'm going to snoop around on here and see what I find out but if anyone has any suggestions as to how I make sure it is the front before I buy the part please let me know! It's $150 for the bearing assembly and I would like to not replace the wrong one! As I said it sounds like it comes from the front but in such a small car it's hard to tell!

Anyway, glad to be here and look forward to joining the community!

Here's a pic! Not a great pic, just the one I took when I picked up the car. But at least it is clean!

 

Congrats on the nice ride. Great color combo.

 

Wow, great looking car. I can't remember actually seeing a silver MINI in person. I normally consider it a boring, lease color, but on a car as interesting as the MINI, it really works.

I know what you mean about diagnosing driveline noises. In a RWD, it can be really tough, but in a FWD, I'd say if you feel it's the front, it probably is. I'd lift the wheels off the ground, and spin them all by hand in neutral, though. See if any feel less smooth than the others. You probably won't be able to hear anything at that rotational speed, other than caliper drag. Also, and all I know is 1st generation, but on my car there is a carrier bearing on the passenger side axle. Definitely don't discount that, either, if your car has one.

 

Welcome and nice ride!

 

nice car and welcome to NAM

 

Welcome aboard good luck

 

Welcome to the world of Mini

 

Not sure how long you've owned your mini but I wonder if the place you bought it from has a 30 day warranty. Might be worth checking out. Good luck with it.

 

I'm starting to believe it might be the tires... I rotated that side and although it's hard to tell if the sound followed the tire, the sound is different now... I will drive a few more days to find out. The tires that are on it are Nexxen n5000, I haven't been overly impressed with them.

 

50K miles does not sound like a wheel bearing to me. Tire problem or maybe even a bent wheel?? Maybe a complete balance and inspection of the wheels and tires is in order. It sounds as if it may not be a big thing.

I have had real good luck with the Continental Non run flat all season tires. If inflation pressures are maintained and the tires rotated very 5k you can get some real nice mileage out of the tires.

Welcome and I hope you get many trouble-free miles out of your car.

 

Thanks for the recommendation on the tires! I was just looking at those tires on tirerack.com. I just purchased an air pump, slime and tire plug repair kit to put in the car since my tires are not run flats... After seeing the price of run flats I think I'll pass! The wheels are scuffed quite a bit along the edge of the rim, looks like the previous owners curbed it at least few times. There is a place nearby that repairs wheels, I was thinking I would take it by so they could have a look. Once again thanks!