Hi all,

I just picked up a used 2006 MCS convertible and will be trying to learn as much about it as possible from these forums. Thanks in advance for all the help and knowledge!

Russ

 

Welcome to NAM from a fellow Bay Area Mini enthusiast. If you have a question - NAM probably has the answer!

Nice pic! doesn't look too foggy...

 

Haha, yup! The pic was taken in sunny East Palo Alto

 

Welcome to NAM. Only thing better than a MINI is a MINI vert.

Immense amount of information here between the threads, the members and the vendors.

 

Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
So much info here to keep your R52 going for many years to come.
Two very important things:
Make sure to only use premium fuel.
Make sure to only use full synthetic oil.

Is it stick or automatic shift? (service should be done on both)
These are precision machines and need proper maintaining to keep them sound. Don't cheap out on this important aspect of Mini Coopers!
Congrats on your R52 buy!

 

+1 on all that. You got the right one, year and model. Also interested in gear box. On our last road trip, 3 days in SF, I smoked the clutch a couple of times on those up hill stop signs. Lots of handbrake/throttle/clutch modulation to keep from rolling back into the car behind.
Take good care of the canvas too. Best products are 303 or RaggTopp and when the scissor joints start to squeak, use a shot of Liquid Wrench dry lube.
Most importantly - topless motoring IS motoring at it's best.

 

Thanks, read so much good stuff already!

I've gotten one oil change with full synthetic and gassed up twice on high octane. The previous owner warned me about that, so we're good!

It's the 6 speed manual. My mechanic didn't see any issues with clutch or transmission yet. The few issues are the control arm bushings and possibly the stage 1 fan.

Oh yeah, plenty of hills! Been in the city my whole life so I'm used to them. Thanks for the tips on top care!

 

Something else I just thought of. Go to the below listed website and order yourself one. It makes a whale of a difference on the rare occasion when the top is up.
http://www.lightinsight.com/

 

It makes a whale of a difference with ANY MINI!!!

 

Congrats it looks great

We also carry the light in sight if you need one.

 

Welcome. That's the rare cool blue, the sister car of the Hot Orange of the R52 Convertible launch in 2005.

Looks like someone put a clear bra on it and some old American racing wheels?

Keep that top clean and conditioned and lube that top yearly.

 

Thanks for the tip on the LightInSight! I definitely find myself needing to lean forward a whole lot at stoplights

 

Yes on the clear bra and American Racing wheels. The wheels have quite a bit of pitting going on and need a lot of work. Might be a lost cause.

I plan to get the 303 convertible fabric care kit. The top is actually in pretty good condition currently.

 

You'll also want to use a good quality dry lube on the scissor joints periodically to keep them from squeaking.

 

Yep, just keep to top clean and treated and lube the top. I just rolled over 275K on mine this morning

 

Welcome.


Nothing better than going Topless... and in a convertible too.. <smile>


Great looking R52.


Motor On!