Hi! New MINI owners here - help with maintenance
#1
10-01-2018, 10:57 AM
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Seattle
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi! New MINI owners here - help with maintenance
Hi,
My name is Keith. My wife and I just purchased a 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman. Automatic transmission unfortunately but it's meant to be my wife's commuter and backup family car. (She's perfectly capable of driving stick but would rather not in Seattle's bad traffic and steep hills.)
The car currently has 55k miles on it but is (I would assume) not under warranty and does not have a service contract as it has a rebuilt title. (I know, I know... but we got a REALLY great deal.)
I do as much of the maintenance and repairs on our fleet as I can mostly because I enjoy it but also to save money. With that in mind I have a few questions:
1. What are the particular MINI issues I need to watch out for above and beyond the usual car stuff?
2. I've heard not so good things about the AT and that I may need to change the fluid more often. True?
3. Recommendations for brands of oil/fluids/filters/spark plugs/etc... known to work well with MINIs?
4. I would like to hard-wire in one or two electronic accessories (GPS, Dash cam, backup cam, etc.) does anyone know which fuse slots work best for this?
4. Anything else I may not know I need to be asking?
Thanks!
My name is Keith. My wife and I just purchased a 2012 MINI Cooper Clubman. Automatic transmission unfortunately but it's meant to be my wife's commuter and backup family car. (She's perfectly capable of driving stick but would rather not in Seattle's bad traffic and steep hills.)
The car currently has 55k miles on it but is (I would assume) not under warranty and does not have a service contract as it has a rebuilt title. (I know, I know... but we got a REALLY great deal.)
I do as much of the maintenance and repairs on our fleet as I can mostly because I enjoy it but also to save money. With that in mind I have a few questions:
1. What are the particular MINI issues I need to watch out for above and beyond the usual car stuff?
2. I've heard not so good things about the AT and that I may need to change the fluid more often. True?
3. Recommendations for brands of oil/fluids/filters/spark plugs/etc... known to work well with MINIs?
4. I would like to hard-wire in one or two electronic accessories (GPS, Dash cam, backup cam, etc.) does anyone know which fuse slots work best for this?
4. Anything else I may not know I need to be asking?
Thanks!
#2
10-01-2018, 07:19 PM
4th Gear
#3
10-01-2018, 08:37 PM
6th Gear - An Official NAM Greeter
#4
10-01-2018, 10:43 PM
6th Gear
Besides hardware care, detailing a car is nice to take care of. On a visit to your neck of the woods we visited Griot's Garage just down the road in Tacoma. Been using their products for 8 or 10 years and they are tops. Just up the street a bit is a great lunch stop, Dirty Oscar's Annex which has been featured on Diners, Drive ins and Dives, 2309 6th Ave. If it wasn't a near 2K mile drive I'd be back for seconds.
#5
10-06-2018, 07:36 AM
Hi and welcome to Nam, Keith!
If you go to the area called stock problems for your year (gen 3), you will see what issues are common and how to deal with them.
We always like to see pics of our members cars, so post some up!
We hope you guys are enjoying your Mini as most of us do!
If you go to the area called stock problems for your year (gen 3), you will see what issues are common and how to deal with them.
We always like to see pics of our members cars, so post some up!
We hope you guys are enjoying your Mini as most of us do!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
b0rderman
3rd Annual MINIs in the Mountains (Aug 6-10, 2008)
5
08-10-2008 12:16 PM
Corey986
R56 :: Hatch Talk (2007+)
1
04-03-2008 07:18 AM
Red Fish
R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006)
19
10-28-2006 04:46 PM