Hello every one. I just purchased a new daily driver! 11' Spice orange mini cooper S in south Florida. Its fairly loaded and included the Harmon Kardon sound and a few other nice features. First off, I was a little hesitant to get this because i thought it would be slow and boring but its actually very fun and quick! i really enjoy the drive and it delivers everything they say it does. My other car is a GTR so its a bit of a change but im excited to drive it around. I have some questions that i want to ask you all for some help on what to do for maintenance and some upgrades.

1. I know these are known for carbon buildup etc. I just bought a can of sea-foam and plan on giving it a treatment.
2. I want to do oil changes every 5k. What can you recommend that i can buy OTC?
3. I want to do Tranny flush/change. What fluid etc OTC if good?
4. What other problem areas should i pay attention to? right now, it runs like a top. perfect.
5. what are the must do mods. Ie- who has the best reflashes, what other bolt ons are worth doing, nice exhausts not to loud (its a daily) etc. Basically whats a guide line anyone can give me that most people take that makes some nice power and is happy with product/s.
6. I was looking around marketplace and couldnt find an area for athetic mods like CF splitters, or grills.
7. finally, one thing i want to change are the headlights. I hate non HID lights. What could i do to change them? i dont want to change the entire headlight housing if possible.

Thank you all for you help!

 

Welcome to NAM, Dan! Congratulations on your purchase. Post some pictures for us when you can. The MINI Cooper S is most certainly not a boring vehicle and glad you are enjoying it. Definitely much smaller than Godzilla! What GTR do you have? An R35? The N18 engines don't have as bad of carbon issues as the previous R56 N14 engines. People still report needing a clean up, but just not as frequent. Maybe just check your intake valves around 50-80k miles. Seafoam does not prevent carbon build up. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-build-up.html The oil changes every 5k is great to stick to. If you need filters or anything else be sure to check out our catalog: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...aintenance.htm. For transmission fluid, stick to MINI recommended fluid here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...ion-Clutch.htm. For a CF splitter, check out M7 here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg1.htm#item1 and they also make a pretty sweet Vortex scoop here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/...pg6.htm#item24. If you have any questions or need anything else please be sure to let me know. Enjoy your time here.

 

Thank you for your reply! Yes, I have white R35 blk edition. I know sea-foam doesnt protect against buildup but i want to run some through to clean out any accumulation. I will be looking at the links you have provided.

Im looking for a good Mini savy shop in my area to bring it by and have them give it a once over. can anyone help me with that?

Thank you again!

 

Happy to help! If you have questions just let me know. Not sure where you're located, but you can use this site here to help you track one down in your area: http://www.minirepairshops.com/.

 

welcome from fellow south fla Dans
precision auto works i hear does great work on mini's
i bring mine (also 2011 S) to vista mini in coconut creek for most anything i can't/dont want to do, they have a discounted labor rate for cars 5 years and older + % off of parts iirc, includes 2 year parts and labor warranty. both service advisors are good guys

 

That's funny I have heard of them. And they are right around the corner from me. I'm taking it to them next week. Let the missing begin! Btw can someone point out where to put in the sea-foam? I tried looking for videos and can't find my model year etc. only older ones where it's on the passenger side of the engine. A pic would be nice!