What are all the recommended maintenance items that needs done over the life of a gen2? When are those intervals?


We got our new R59 since August 2013. After the warranty service run out I started to do our own maintenance.
I've done oil change and brakes. I haven't done brake fluid change yet though it was due this summer. I'm not sure yet what that involves on a MINI...
The car has 43,000 miles and I'm not sure when the driving chain is du for example. Something I will likely have MINI shop do. I don't like touching valve timing...

But long story short, we intend to keep the car for the long run, so I'de like to know ahead of time how to plan for all those good maintenance items ($ and calendar)... thx!

 

If you don't do your own wrenching, the main thing is an indie shop that you greatly trust to keep an eye on things when its in for regular service along with what I call the 'turn your head and cough' exam. Main things to keep healthy are the operating fluids and periodic checks on the bushings, brake pads and etc...and rotate the tires at around 5K. Many change oil as often as 5K, other fluids anywhere from 20 to 40K, serpentine belt needs swapped out at around 30K.
Just checking the fluid levels on a weekly basis goes a long way. Lots of horror stories from a few that ignore that simple task.

 

I've done and still do a bit of wrenching, but leave the delicate things like timing belt or chain to the pros. Part of it is that if something bad happens as a result it's up to them to fix it. The other part is it it can be very time consuming.

The serpentine belt I'm guessing is the belt to the alternator, which is different from the timing chain correct? I guess I'm du for that one... on my other car I had the timing and auxiliary belt done at 50k. it seems to be a average mileage for those modern belts. But I don't really know with MINIs.

How about the timing chain? How often does that gets changed?

Yes, 5k miles is about how often I like to change the oil as well.
I don't check the fluids every week. But I do check them frequently. At least once a month. Typically I'll do the oil change. And check the levels one or two times after that in close proximity to make sure all is good. Then every month or so. And I always check everything thoroughly before long trips.

BTW: I had a great indy shop I trusted both on quality and honesty of hits service. He was always out to do its best to protect people's car and their wallet. Unfortunately he closed down and sold its business to a Dunkin Donuts. the guy was a great mechanic, but most likely couldn't keep-up with the electronic side of things across all the various brands... it's getting tough for indy shop. They themselves have to specialize to specific brands or can't afford the tech. MINI not being the most popular around here, it's tough.

 

Sounds like you've got a good handle on the situation. Just keep your eyes and ears tuned to what the li'l guy is telling you and you should get many more miles and smiles out it.
I wish everyone could have the indie situation we've got. A MINI buddy and I get together whenever either of us are in the shop for whatever. Big deal, right? There's a great micro brewery and pub just down the street.

 

 

Brake bleeding is easy.My son and did it on my wife's 2012 Cooper S.
Pour,pump,bleed,repeat.

Another thing to check is the water pump pulley.The rubber on the outside will crack.

 

Cars not much different today than they were 20 years ago, despite the BS some oil manufacturers and auto industry state.
Oil / Filter every 3-5K miles
Brake flush every 20K
PS Steering flush every 20K ( 1st Gen )
Coolant flush / fill every 30K

I didn't attain almost quarter of a Million trouble free miles on my MINI by listening to the talking heads at oil companies / Auto Manufacturers or being test pilot...

 

^^+1 I would say fuel filter at 60-80K. Plugs for JCW is like 30K, For most others maybe 50-60K. Coils packs 100K unless they go early on the Gen 2's. Air filters check them once or twice a year, replace if dirty. Cabin filter do the same, some places can get dusty and dirty and if you use the heat or A/C a lot then you could be changing Once a year or more. I drive alot of miles so I clean and air intake filter more and also go through cabin filters more often.

If you keep up with things you can be at 275K+ like on my 05'

Clutch might need done at 100K if you are hard on it( track it and you will be much less), baby it and you can get 150K-175K like mine.