Hi everybody,

Three days into MINI ownership, and I am addicted. It is technically my wifes car, but you know..........once you drive one...............
Coming from the VW world, I can't believe how fat and flabby and ill-handling my modded Golf is in comparison to "our" (I use the term loosely, we argue about who is going to drive it constantly) MINI.

Searching around yielded some info right now, but you guys may have a more direct knowledge, so I ask for some guidance:

Are there any technical resources available to bone up on the technical aspects of MINI ownership? Maintenance intervals, timing belts/chains (I don't even know what it has), commonly known points of failure. (In the VW world there were a lot)


When doing research before buying the car I had found a way to find out what options the car was delivered with, and now can't find it. My car doesn't have the original sticker, so I'm trying to find out as much about my car as possible. I only know it has the chrono pack, and it has hid lights, but that's all I know.

Any help and insight into MINI ownership is greatly appreciated. I look forward to learning as much as I can from everyone.

Thanks.

 

Congrats on your new ride - very nice!

Technical reference: The Bentley service manual is pretty good. And alot of reading here on NAM...

Looking at the pic I see the chrome mirros caps and grille - they were either options or added on by a PO (previous owner). 17" S-lites wheels and Xenon's, so my guess would be they got the sport package.

There used to be configurators on CD for each model year - if you get get the configurator for 05 that may help you determine what was available and what you have on the car...

But most of all - enjoy the ride!

 

Congratulations! Check out the 2 MINI family thread, that'll solve the "who gets to drive the MINI dilemma".

 

Yes i would pick up another MCS there will only be drama between you and the wife now with just one

Just looking through NAM you will find all of the information your requesting and more. Grats on the new car.

 

You can call 866-ASK-MINI and give them the VIN, tell them you just bought the car and they will tell you what specs it was ordered with.

The Bentley manual is priceless in terms of helping you do your own repairs.

NAM is priceless in terms of reading about common flaws and issues and how to best deal with them.

Did you buy from a MINI dealership or a different one? If you head down to the regional forums, you can find out who is the best dealership in your area for service and whatnot.

Sounds like you guys might be a two-MINI family before long!

 

Is it me or is your passenger side Xenon light looking a bit off?

 

Off like how?

The 1-866 # was what I was trying to remember. THANK YOU!!

 

It looks like the bezel around the xenon projector is pulled forward, looking at the picture it looks off, and comparing it to the driver side headlight makes it looks as if it is looking a bit wrong

 

Great looking MINI--congratulations!

(Where's that KoolAid smilie when you need it?)

 

It does have a lazy eye. I just now got it, and went and checked the car, and one bulb protrudes from the housing, and one doesn't.

 

Hey,

Apart from the Xenon light problem, it seems to me that your MINI has the Sport Package (Bonnet Stripes, Xenon Lights, DSC, Fogs, S-Lites) i'm not so sure about Premium as I don't see a sunroof (maybe the angle and the shade of the tree is playing tricks with me!) I also don't see convenience package (I don't see the automatic windshield sensor) from that picture I can't really tell if it has cold weather either. Interior I see you have the grey/black leatherette seats, the chrome line interior (judging from the chrome I see on the interior through the windshield) and also the chrome line exterior (chrome grill, chrome mirror caps, chrome boot handle) and also as you stated it has the Chrono package. Also the BRG (British Racing Green) is a optional color! In the end you got a nice MINI!

Motor On & Happy Holidays!

 

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that could be an expensive repair if the Xenon headlight assembly has to be replaced. Xenons have a "self-leveling" feature, and your right side light could be aimed incorrectly as a result.

They key is "could be" as we can't really diagnose your problem from a single pic.

Did you buy the car from a dealer? Maybe you can get them to pick up the tab on this one...

 

Good choice on an 05 Cooper S. What VW did you step out of?

 

Both of the lights go through the leveling routine when flicked on, but I don't think one of them is aimed properly. I'll investigate further.....

"Good choice on an 05 Cooper S. What VW did you step out of?"

We traded my wife's '04 Passat for the S. A radically different vehicle, eh?

 

Looks like a great car! Congrats!

 

So I looked at my headlight today, and know what's wrong. The part of the reflector that surrounds the bulb, the "gatling gun" part, has come unglued from it's base, and wobbles around in the housing. Does anyone know if the headlight bucket can be disassembled, or do I need to order a new housing?

Merry Christmas, and thank you everybody for the welcome.

 

See if the dealer will cover that under warranty

 

As long as there is no physical damage, that should be covered under warranty..

 

Since your car is a '05 you have bumper-to-bumper warranty until 2009. Just head down to your nearest dealer and have 'em look at it.

 

Very nice & love the green!


joe r