I've owned quite a few different makes/models of cars and most of them have a lovely sticky thread that includes DIY resources/links. Both VWVortex.com and NASIOC.com are wonderful examples. However, NAM.com has virtually nothing. Which leads me to assume either you folks tool on your cars via trial and error, or scurry off to the dealer for every little maintenance item, or squeaky belt.

Part of owning a car (for me), is wrenching on it yourself. And while picking up a Bentley manual is obvious, I really enjoy reading through DIY stickies for user tips/opinions, and printing out the page and doing the task on my own in my garage.

If NAM.com doesn't offer this resource, is there another MINI forum that does?

 

These are just a few...try doing a search

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ead.php?t=5338

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=diy

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...+black+exhaust

 

+1

there's a fair amount of diy's, some of them extremely detailed. we might not have all of them sticky'd, but learn to use the search function. also i've often posted detailed and specific questions about fixes and almost always get very useful responses quickly

 

Come on, dude. I'm not talking about DIYs that involve tarting up my car with shiny bits and home depot front lips. I'm talking about DIY walk throughs for changing your transmission fluid, replacing your poly-v belt, and other recommended scheduled maintenance.

Similar to this (beautiful): http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2374154

 

like i said, do a search

tranny fluid: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95260

injector: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=68954

front pads: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=brake+sensor

 

Challenge you to find anything resourceful on "poly-v belt" replacement DIY.

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...C+belt+install

 

Actually, some of us just buy a new car when our current ride has an issue. I have my butler buy the car because I can't find a DIY thread on how to do it myself.

As for Poly Belts ...I switched to leather long ago. Poly belts are way too 60s.

Dean.

 

not me! i just kick and beat the car when it's not working and keep at it until it works again

of course, i look around on NAM where to kick and beat to get the best results...via the search function

 

I think there should be a sticky on how to find your keys in the morning when both of your kids are driving the car more than you are

 

you lazy dork. First of all if you cant do scheduled maintenance without DIY instructions you shouldnt be touching the vehicle.

NAM is full of useful information and people who not only work on them for a living but spend more on their cars than you ever will. If you have a question ask like your not a slobbering douchbag and you will meet alot more people here willing to help you out.

 

You mean something good came from VWVortex? It wasn't "Some guy in a Mustang pissed me off" or "Look at my new DTM exhaust"? Oooh, don't forget what I see from a lot of VW drivers in my area: My VR6 is a race car!

 

+1 on lazy. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask nicely and someone will answer. Of course now you have a poor reputation for being a 'dork' so I can't guarentee anyone (including me) will take you seriously. There is the thing called the "bentley service manual" which apparently everyone here goes by (I don't have one yet.. ). Learn the search function on the site before opening your mouth and letting your brains spill out.

 

Way to assume everyone on the Vortex fits that bill.

 

There's a good reason why you can't find any HOWTOs on replacing the "poly v-belt" in the MINI:

**The MINI doesn't use them**

The MINI uses a serpentine ribbed belt, which is a completely different animal.

Likewise, you may run into trouble finding a HOWTO for replacing the engine's timing belt, because the MINI doesn't have one of those either.

Seriously, there are detailed writeups here on NAM for just about every routine (and not-so-routine) service procedure for the MINI, and if you can't find it with a search, just ask.

 

searchmaster here- if you are having trouble using the NAM search, try doing the same search in google. most of the google results will be direct links to the NAM threads with the info you seek, sometimes i find google to be much easier to use and faster than sifting through the NAM search results. there is quite a wealth of knowledge here and USUALLY a DIY or someone willing to walk you through just about anything. it's just the search functions for any site can be frustrating.

i head read that NAM was considering a DIY section though so that may be a nice help.

 

btw...what does vietnam have to do with minis???

 

I think you folks aren't understanding me correctly. I provided a link with a great example, but perhaps a few of you aren't clicking the link to see what a the example applied to a sticky here on NAM.com

Again, the link: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2374154

See how it neatly lists the FAQ and DIY items in order? If you click on any of the categories (say brakes for instance) it takes you to the DIY for that category. This 1 single thread is compiled of several (editable) DIY threads ranging from brakes, to engine, to interior, etc.. It's then sticked at the top of the forum, easily accessible.

I'd even be willing to start a thread similar to the link provided above and keep ontop of editing it. If folks break out the digital camera and do a walk-through on changing your oil (for example), I'd be happy to add it to the FAQ/DIY sticky.

Ya'll think I'm in here to rant and complain, but without a little whining and moaning, change never happens. And I'm the type of person that fixes what he complains about. It's not a matter of "search!" It's a matter of creating a concise outline for a FAQ/DIY sticky for the Coupe Talk (2002-2006) and keeping it updated so it betters the community.

 

I'm not willing to go in there to find out for myself. Yes, I did see your thread link and yes it is laid out nicely, but so much could be found quickly enough here I don't see the need for a sticky.

 

Yes, a sticky DIY section in the forum would be a nice organized way to go about it, maybe that can be implemented.

In your original post, you came off rather "abrasive", and pretty much bashed everyone on here. So you can see reasoning behind many of the responses your first post generated.

 

Well, if you'd like to start a thread linking to the various HOWTOs that are already here on NAM, I'm sure the moderators would appreciate it and would be willing to sticky it.

I don't see the point in re-inventing the wheel and asking people to break out their cameras and produce new HOWTOs for things like oil changes, though.

I'll start PM'ing you links to HOWTOs. I'm sure you'll get multiple examples for many of the procedures, but you can either link them all or pick the ones you think are the most complete/helpful.

 

According to my owner's manual It's part of Inspection II. Check out this link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co....php?p=2024810

I was using that as an example. What I meant is that if someone does a better walk-through, it gets added to the HOWTO engine section.

 

Here's a better idea.

RTFM.

You're quite correct that getting the Bentley Manual is the way to go.

You can also go to http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do...ies=R56&arch=0 for great parts diagrams.

 

Try this , if it dosn't show a long list then choose "from the begining" in the display box.

 

Technically speaking, the MINI does not use a v-belt. A v-belt is a multi-belt system. The MINI uses a serpentine system, aka- 1 long belt to drive the water pump, alternator, and AC compressor.