I just picked up a 2004 MC with sport seats and was wondering if it was normal for the seat to slide a bit forward (i feel pressure on my lower back and Im not sure if its just the top portion (leather) or the whole seat that moves a bit forward on braking, and then slightly back on accelerating. I pointed it out to the seller as I was test driving but he says he doesnt notice it. Is this a characteristic of these seats or do I need to tighten some nuts down? The car is still under warranty.

Also, I cant notice it when im inside the car but when Im outside the car near the engine compartment with the motor running, the engine seems to make a lot of "extraneous sounds" almost like something is not lubricated properly...I know its impossible to diagnose anything without actually having to listen to it but are the Mini engine's in general just noisey period....?


Lastly, do I need to fuel the MC prem or reg. gas?

 

Use Premium!!! That's the only question that I can answer.

 

don't know about the sound.

There's a bit of slop in my seats (at the rails) but I have an 02 with 85k on it. If it's enough to worry you, stop by the dealer to get it checked.

Premium only. It will run with lesser gas, but it won't be as peppy or get as good mileage.

Matt

ps Welcome to Minidom!

 

Gas - get the highest octane you can get - gives you a little more smoothness and power (i even ran my honda element on 91, even though i didn't have to)

my seats aren't moving anywhere... so do stop by at the dealer.

 

Since you have the MC, I can't comment on how nmuch octane you require. Should be posted near the gas cap, but you can find the minimum specs in the owner's manual.
The seat isn't normal:take it to the dealer.
You don't have a supercharger, so you can't blame the "unlubricated" noise on that. Nothing should sound extraordinary except for your cooling fan if the engine is already hot. You may have a bad idler pulley: take it to the dealer.

 

Much thanks for the answers provided and welcome to the board.

Premium unleaded it is. Good thing gas is cheap around here in Florida.

Going to make a list of things and make an appt with the stealers.

Btw, do Mini dealers give out loaners for warranty work?

 

The height adjustment cylinder in the seat rail gets a little lax as the
years go by, allowing the seat to shift fore and aft when breaking and
accelerating, especially noticeable on hills. Have to replace the whole seat rail.
I believe a new seat rail is about $160 for the part.
Had my driver side one replaced under warranty when the car was 3 years old.

 

Just had two rails/cables replaced on my 04 by the dealer under warranty. My seat wasn't sliding forward when tilting it for back seat access... Get it done by the dealer for free!

 

Not sure if the height adjustment cylinder or the seat rail itself has the bits that hold
the seat fixed between adjustments. Just noticed that the cylinder part# 52 10 7 069 970
is available as a separate part. I remember that the dealer replaced the whole seat rail.

 

My seat moves a little. Not like it's really going back and forth, but there's a slight creaking/looseness to it, especially when starting and stopping.

Are you hearing a whining sound? Could be the power steering pump; they whine, and it's normal. If you're in the car and it's running, and you turn the wheel from side to side, you'll hear it more.

I'm not sure if the Coopers require premium - the "S"s do.

 

The good ones do, the bad ones don't.

 

I wouldn't use premium gas if you don't have to. If it's a standard Cooper, use regular. Drop for drop, regular gas gives off more energy, because it has less additives that a lower compression engine doesn't need.

 

FWIW, I use premium in my Cooper.

The other stuff - have it checked out at the dealership just to make yourself comfortable. You'll feel better with your new car knowing everything is okay!

 

as well i put premium in my car..whether or not it makes a difference, i dont know.. but makes me feel better to take good care of my lil baby

 

The previous owner said he used regular and I see that many members here use regular gas in their MC's but in the owners manual it says to use "prem gas (min 91 octane)". Did I misread that?

As for the weird engine sounds, the noise is coming from the left side of the compartment (as Im looking into the engine bay from the front). It sounds like its related to the movement of one of the belts in that area but not actually from the belts themselves but an internal part the belt moves. Like I said it sounds like a soft friction grinding tone...a soft thud thud....its not the AC since I hear it with it off).....anyways, the car will be visiting the dealer soon but since I just got this baby and was recommended to this site I thought I would be a bit paranoid...lol.

More questions: is the FM reception poor? I cant seem to catch too many stations down here in FL.
Does the stereo play Mp3s?
Is there a way to correct the alignment of the steering wheel to the tires (meaning when the steering wheel is exactly centered, the tires will be pointing straight ahead)?
Also, the steering wheel center cap (the one with the Mini symbol) is slightly showing some unslightly edges (I can see the grey background around the edges of the plastic cap (nothing wrong with the cap itself, the cap is sitting slightly off centered down from the base its sitting on), anyway to fix this (as in purchasing a new cap perhaps)?
The driver nor passenger side window goes up automatically (goes down automatically just fine), does it mean its broken?

 

Yeah, have the dealer check out the strange noise. It may be nothing - may be something. Don't know. No worries being OCD about your MINI here, we all are a bit.

I would say to use the grade gas that the owner's manual recommends, although if you're running a lower octane and you're not having any pinging, then you should be fine.

Yes, have the dealer adjust the steering wheel so that it's centered. Mine was a little off when I bought my car new, and I had them get it straight. Don't have any advice on the center emblem - mine hasn't had any problems, but it's not an uncommon issue.

My FM reception is just fine.

The windows don't have an auto-up function. You can buy a wiring kit aftermarket that allows you to add auto-up windows. http://www.gbmini.net/wp/auto-up_windows/

 

Yes, the Cooper requires Premium fuel. If your MINI came with its original Owner's Manual, MiniFoot, please read it. If not, you can download it from the internet. I had a 2002 Cooper, and it specifically stated to use Premium fuel, 91 octane or better. Hope that helps and welcome to NAM!

 

Ther's no problem with using regular, just because it isn't called "premium" doesn't mean it isn't OK. If your MC seems to run fine on regular, then it is fine.

The average price difference between regular and premium is about 20 cents/gal. It cost the oil companies about 4 cents more per gal. to make premium. They want you to use premium.

Or, if you want to hedge your bets, use mid-grade.

 

Premium only and as far as the seat....I get a little bit of movement from time to time but usually when its really warm in the MINI.