Good afternoon from Atlanta,

Three weeks ago I bought a 2009 Clubman JCW, 85K miles. Seems in very good condition overall, CARFAX report was quite clean.

Two questions:

1) Can anyone recommend good MINI independent service in the Atlanta area?

2) There is an ALTA thermal blanket on the turbo. I am getting a "cooking" odor, which seems to be coming from the thermal blanket. Do these have a finite lifespan and begin to degrade, or am I likely smelling syn. oil leak near it?

I am mechanically literate in the general sense, but old-school. (Kept a TR-6 on the road for years, so I know one end of a wrench from another.) I have a lot to learn about this car, and look forward to input from this forum.

(I do not plan to do much of the repair and maintenance myself, as I am self-employed and thankful to be busy after a long slowdown. I just want to know more about this little beast so I don't suffer more from ignorance than from normal wear and tear.)

Thanks in advance,

"Leathersmith"

 

Update to initial post:

Found a nearby Mini/BMW independent garage with a good reputation. Took it in this morning.

"Cooking " odor not from thermal blanket, but from oil leak- vacuum pump.

Parts+labor under $400.00 to replace, a bit over half what I see others quoting dealer price for same repair. Picking up tomorrow, will report outcome.

 

We are located in Atlanta and keep parts in stock. We have a full service MINI only shop that does everything from oil changes to custom engines and ECU tuning.