2004 Cooper S with dealer JCW kit plus ATI 2% over Super Damper and Alta 17% under SC pulley.

I just had a Gates K060535 belt fail catastrophically after 1850 miles and two years (Yes mostly shows and pleasure driving) and I replaced it with another Gates K060535 I carried as a spare, but the early failure is concerning me. I find a lot of confusing information about belts for our Minis and folks who suggest the Goodyear Gatorback 4060537 and some who suggest Gates RPM or Fleetrunner (Green back) belts. I just want to prevent another catastrophic failure having had one two years ago at freeway speed that trashed the tensioner and my damper, and just recently at slow speed that fortunately did not break anything but the belt.

I'd appreciate anyone's experience with these afore mentioned belts and any recommendations including belt changing schedules (I read on one supplier site that yearly belt change was recommended with a 15% under SC pulley). Also, when I look for the Goodyear Gatorback belt I see it listed interchangeably with a Goodyear Continental belt; are these the same belt? And do both have the cross cuts in the ribs and if so is that an advantage?

BTW, the Gates K060535 was a very tight fit to get on but once on and run a bit was showing the top hole in the tensioner strip just above the casting which I have read is the way our belts are supposed to run.

 

I'd call Detroit Tuned or Way Motor Works and talk to them about your dilemma.

 

When I was playing with Sprintex pulleys ( all those years ago...lol ) I had best luck with the Bando brand belts.
Their sizing seemed to be more accurate, and I never had one break or shred.

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