Hi everyone,

I'm a new owner of a used 2005 MINI. It's a liquid yellow/black roof non-S with DSC, Run Flats, on-board computer, 5 speed and auto climate control. Looks great, fun car with excellent mpg to boot! It isn't mine actually but my wife's. She'll drive it to work for a year and then our son gets it for school when he gets his license next year this time.

I have a few noobie questions though.

1. Where is the power steering fluid reservoir? Is it not owner maintained?
2. What's the max speed and rpm per gear?
3. What's the best rpm to upshift?
4. It only has 7000 miles os it has not had it's first service. What can I expect at first service?
5. How does the headlamp washer work?
6. Is there a manual out for the 2005 yet?
7. Is there a MINI club in the SF Bay Area?

Thanks all for your help. Hope to meet some of you on the road.

 

Welcome to NAM, cantdrv55, and congrats on your LY MINI!

1. Where is the power steering fluid reservoir? Is it not owner maintained?
I believe that the power steering fluid will be checked at the 10K service.

2. What's the max speed and rpm per gear?
Redline! LOL!

3. What's the best rpm to upshift?
I wouldn't shift below 3K.

4. It only has 7000 miles os it has not had it's first service. What can I expect at first service?
Check the back of your owner's manual. It lists everything that is done for the 10K servicing. When you start your MINI, look for the service prompt, which will tell you how many miles until your service is needed. Many of us have interim oil changes, for example every 5K miles.

5. How does the headlamp washer work?
If you have the Xenon headlamps, when you turn the windshield wipers on, every third swipe, the washers are activated...it is very cool.

6. Is there a manual out for the 2005 yet?
Check Amazon or Walmart for the Bently MINI Manual. I'm not sure about 2005.

7. Is there a MINI club in the SF Bay Area?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...splay.php?f=73 Check out this forum.

Hope this helps. I'm sure you will get other opinions on the shifting, etc.!


Clover

 

In case you mean your car didn't come with a manual here is a link to one in PDF format.

 

Thanks for the quick response guys!

 

Correction on the headlamp washer question. If you pull the washer toggle, it will wash your windshield. If you turn your lights on, and pull the washer toggle, your windshield will get washed, and your headlamp sprayers will pop out and spray off the headlamp. It's quite impressive, because I thought the flap would just pop up a little... Nope, a 3-inch or so stalk sticks out the front, and blasts the headlight with fluid. I did it at a Mini event, and got people on both sides of the bonnet wet.