My 4yr/45K warranty on 2006 cooper s has expired before reaching 45K.

I'm about 500 miles away from reaching 45K miles.

When should I get my next major maintenance done and what should this include? Fluid check, etc...

Andy

 

I think the warranty is 4yr/50k miles, maintenance is 3yr/36k miles

 

you are right, it's the 4 year mark that came first.

 

Go by the odometer mostly....it will tell you INSP 1 or Insp 2. Just remember, every other regularly scheduled oil change is an inspection...
A few items are done by calendar dates.....the brake fluid flushes are every 2 years, radiator fluid is every 4. Supercharger belt, if it has not been done should be done.....Some recommend 3 years on the stock pulley (MINI says 60,000 miles....most seem to do it much earlier...if the belt slips...power loss or noise...if it fails, big $$$, and a tow.....), 2 on the 15% and 1 on a 17% or a 19%...no real hard data...just a reliability issue...
Since you don't drive much, you might want to consider doing the inspections more by calendar.....maybe an oil change after 6 months, then inspection 6 later, then oil 6 later, then insp, and so on...so your car will get on the lift once per year to get a once over....would not be too expensive at a non-dealer type of place, could get pricey at the dealer though....depends on how long you want to keep it, and how hard you drive, your climate, and how much you do your self, etc.

 

The 45k service is usually an Oil Service. Which is an oil change and microfilter change.

I still say oil change every 5k. forget that counter.

Feel free to replace the engine air filter. they are usually filthy by that mileage cause they've never been replaced. Either get a cold air intake or a drop in cleanable filter.

Also your coolant is due to be replaced every 4yrs.

 

What about spark plugs how many miles should they be changed Laser Platinum are supposed to be long lasting but how long???I'll give you guys a true story i went to the stealer for plugs and they wanted like $150 for a set.The plug has NGK on one side and BMW(Bring Money Withya) on the other printed on the bakalite,on the metal part it's stamped BKR6EQUP,so i told em to have a nice day and off i went to the local parts store and scored a set of NGK BKR6EQUP for 20 bucks,i wonder how many people that dont know better have swallowed that one

 

Yup....that is why it is so important to find a local guy to matain your car who knows MINI's for things that are beyond ones comfort-zone. Most of our vendors here are places that sell parts cheaper than the dealer.
One example was just last week I neede to replace my 3rd breaklight after the red lens flew off to parts unknown while in a carwash. Even though the part was not listed on Way's website on WayMotorWork.com, I gave him a call, and he shipped me the part for a fraction of the dealers price, and he had more than one repair option, a new part, and a reparible used part...I chose the later, and my car is back to A-1 again. I hate to come across as a fanboy, but let me say WayMotorWorks.com rocks....they saved me some big bucks on a few minor items over the years...add that to honest and and well respected advise....it is a great combination!!!

 

Anybody know the average milage to do plugs.I know the vendors are great Zip i've got lots of stuff on my car mainly suspension upgrades from several.BBA Reman is also an excellent bunch for steering pumps top service.

 

On a JCW, they recommend doing them at every service....so if you have a pulley, I would do the same. I do....and I run 1 step cooler. I think with the oem style muli-electrode plug it was a higher number than most people feel comfortable running....around 100,000 or so...a number I would worry about them beaing siezed in the head!!

 

If you have not yet replaced the serpentine belt, I would recommend replacing it at or before 45K. It is a relatively easy thing to replace and is, IMHO, cheap insurance. When the belt breaks, you are pretty much stuck until you can get it replaced. Mine self-destructed at a track day 120 miles from home. I won't ever try to go more than 30K on another one.

 

Stock MINI recommends replacing the plugs at 100k, but when we add a pulley I tell my customers 40k and replace them. It's not a big cost at that interval.