Do Minis require a timing belt replacement at 50k? I've looked in the owners manual and nothing is said about this. I have a 2003 with 44k on it.
Viper5

 

You're in luck, the MINI's engine have a timing chain.

 

And that means its not serviced just like the PCV valve and the fuel filter.

 

The Big belt is for the "SuperCharger"

 

Haha, the fuel filter is far from "Not serviced". Have you ever seen one after about 20k? It's black... You should be changing it every 3-4 oil changes.

 

Where is the fuel filter?

 

Under the rear seat. Takes about 30 minutes to change.

 

Sounds like it's time to find somewhere else to buy gasoline.

 

All gas has impurities in it, take your fuel filter out, if it still looks new i'll send you a new one for free .

I fill up at top tier gas stations only. Every single filter i've seen in the MC/S has been black after it comes out (Usually when the owner comes in wondering why their car has started to feel sluggish, etc at 50-60k miles).

I changed mine at 15, and it'll get changed again every 15k miles from there. For the $50 it costs i'd rather have cleaner fuel .

It's a $32,000 car and i've got $10k+ invested in the motor. Fuel doesn't sound like a good place to be stingy .

 

I know this is an old thread, but what is the part no. for the fuel filter?

I've asked at my local dealer, was told that it was integral to the fuel pump assembly and can't be changed on its own.

Apparently the filter was replaceable in pre-2005 cars. Fuel pump had a redesign for later cars, to the current form. (filter not replaceable)
They say it's maintenance free, but looking at the pictures I find on the net I'm finding it hard to believe it is so.

Would love to do the job myself.
My car is a 2007 built R52 Sidewalk MCS.

 

A quick look on realoem.com still shows a fuel filter part. Don't know your build number so I can't be exact, but a redesign that omits a simple filter would be dumb. Look up your build data (driver door jamb) and then go to realoem.com and zero in on your exact model/build date. Then have a look at the pretty exploded diagrams.

Yeah, 1/07 and 12/07 both have the filter and it looks like the same design as on my "2003" R53 09/02 build

And the HOWTO thread

 

Your dealer is bs'ing you I think....
pretty simple swap....gas tank is under the rear seat...a few screws, a gasket...
remember....you dealer might be thinking, based upon you year is a gen2, but if you have a cabrio r52, it is the same as all other gen1 50/53.
sounds like your dealer needs new counter help....
i'd drop a dime and call mini usa....