Troublesome R56 here
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Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 1
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Troublesome R56 here
Hi everyone,
When I moved to the US, I took the opportunity of buying a used Mini Cooper as I was Mini curious, and needed a second car. My car has been a bit of a mechanical disaster. I've done a lot of work on it and had BMW deal with a fair amount of the deep and difficult work in the hope of getting to the bottom of the mechanical issues with this car. I bought it thinking it was only a 5 year old R56 with 85000 miles and bearing noises, how bad could it be?
So far, the main bearing oil seal was replaced ($800) by Mini SF, new battery ($170), fresh tires and a much needed alignment (nearly $600), replaced hood trim piece that fell off on the 680 ($300+), basic maintenance (over $500 so far) including replacing all the burnt out bulbs, and on and on. I procured the replacement hub bearings ($120 each) and the special tools needed (a deep 32 mm socket), but I need to go hire an impact wrench or buy a huge breaker bar as my 1m breaker bar is insufficient to get the hub nuts off. Most recently, the sunroof is playing up, the TPMS control unit behind the rear bumper gave up the ghost, and the hestitation on moderate acceleration is starting to get worse. Do the mechanical woes ever end?
I must admit I'm not really connecting with the car, which is a shame, as otherwise it's perfect for me - great fun to drive, all the equipment I need, and fits anywhere. I am pretty unlikely to replace it with a new Mini when it's time for a new car.
When I moved to the US, I took the opportunity of buying a used Mini Cooper as I was Mini curious, and needed a second car. My car has been a bit of a mechanical disaster. I've done a lot of work on it and had BMW deal with a fair amount of the deep and difficult work in the hope of getting to the bottom of the mechanical issues with this car. I bought it thinking it was only a 5 year old R56 with 85000 miles and bearing noises, how bad could it be?
So far, the main bearing oil seal was replaced ($800) by Mini SF, new battery ($170), fresh tires and a much needed alignment (nearly $600), replaced hood trim piece that fell off on the 680 ($300+), basic maintenance (over $500 so far) including replacing all the burnt out bulbs, and on and on. I procured the replacement hub bearings ($120 each) and the special tools needed (a deep 32 mm socket), but I need to go hire an impact wrench or buy a huge breaker bar as my 1m breaker bar is insufficient to get the hub nuts off. Most recently, the sunroof is playing up, the TPMS control unit behind the rear bumper gave up the ghost, and the hestitation on moderate acceleration is starting to get worse. Do the mechanical woes ever end?
I must admit I'm not really connecting with the car, which is a shame, as otherwise it's perfect for me - great fun to drive, all the equipment I need, and fits anywhere. I am pretty unlikely to replace it with a new Mini when it's time for a new car.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 264
From: Dover, PA
Welcome.
Post some Photos.
Unfortunately, you inherited the issues of the last owner's lack of desire to do maintenance. I can tell you that you can reach the other end of that tunnel and once all the niggly bits have been sorted, then you will have a super great car that will keep a big smile on your face.
Motor On!
Post some Photos.
Unfortunately, you inherited the issues of the last owner's lack of desire to do maintenance. I can tell you that you can reach the other end of that tunnel and once all the niggly bits have been sorted, then you will have a super great car that will keep a big smile on your face.
Motor On!
6th Gear - An Official NAM Greeter
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 331
From: Southern oregon
Hi and welcome to NAM!
You need a good Indie mechanic that knows Mini Coopers to work on it and sort it out. It sounds like whom ever worked on it this far likes your wallet more than you!
I mean a $600 alignment! and it has a bad wheel bearing, sounds like a less than helpful shop to me! Should have fixed that first!
You could have bought the hood piece cheap and put it on yourself for about $70. Is it still leaking oil too?
You should be loving the Mini, but your are stuck paying people big money, so no joy there!
I hope you can get in touch will club members in your area, to help you out!
You need a good Indie mechanic that knows Mini Coopers to work on it and sort it out. It sounds like whom ever worked on it this far likes your wallet more than you!
I mean a $600 alignment! and it has a bad wheel bearing, sounds like a less than helpful shop to me! Should have fixed that first!
You could have bought the hood piece cheap and put it on yourself for about $70. Is it still leaking oil too?
You should be loving the Mini, but your are stuck paying people big money, so no joy there!
I hope you can get in touch will club members in your area, to help you out!
Last edited by ItsmeWayne; Aug 25, 2018 at 09:51 AM.
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
Welcome, sorry you are having so much trouble. If you were local I'd help you out with some of the work as I have most tools. I realized before I got my MINI that the only affordable way to own one was to be able to do the work yourself and be willing to try anything.
Good luck, and don't give up.....persevere. Once the car is right you will love it as long as your kidneys can take it.
Good luck, and don't give up.....persevere. Once the car is right you will love it as long as your kidneys can take it.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 44
Hi everyone,
I bought it thinking it was only a 5 year old R56 with 85000 miles and bearing noises, how bad could it be?
So far, the main bearing oil seal was replaced ($800) by Mini SF, new battery ($170), fresh tires and a much needed alignment (nearly $600), replaced hood trim piece that fell off on the 680 ($300+), basic maintenance (over $500 so far) including replacing all the burnt out bulbs, and on and on. I procured the replacement hub bearings ($120 each) and the special tools needed (a deep 32 mm socket), but I need to go hire an impact wrench or buy a huge breaker bar as my 1m breaker bar is insufficient to get the hub nuts off. Most recently, the sunroof is playing up, the TPMS control unit behind the rear bumper gave up the ghost, and the hestitation on moderate acceleration is starting to get worser.
I bought it thinking it was only a 5 year old R56 with 85000 miles and bearing noises, how bad could it be?
So far, the main bearing oil seal was replaced ($800) by Mini SF, new battery ($170), fresh tires and a much needed alignment (nearly $600), replaced hood trim piece that fell off on the 680 ($300+), basic maintenance (over $500 so far) including replacing all the burnt out bulbs, and on and on. I procured the replacement hub bearings ($120 each) and the special tools needed (a deep 32 mm socket), but I need to go hire an impact wrench or buy a huge breaker bar as my 1m breaker bar is insufficient to get the hub nuts off. Most recently, the sunroof is playing up, the TPMS control unit behind the rear bumper gave up the ghost, and the hestitation on moderate acceleration is starting to get worser.
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