I will be keeping my mini in the garage from Aug 2010 - May 2012 because I am starting grad school and won't be needing it

So, what should I do? all i know is that I should start it up and drive for 20 minutes once a month.

I just got my last oil change under warranty @ the dealer about 1 month/1000 miles ago.

what are the most important things to keep in mind?

what about fuel? does it break down over time? i have about half a tank of summer fuel.

I also took my new summer wheels/tires off (w/1000 miles on em) and put em in the basement. I put my old stock wheels/tires back on the mini. How should i store the new wheels/tires? do i take some air out of them? do i stack em up horizontally? do i put them in plastic bags?

so many questions! any feedback is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

you could just sell it and buy another one 2 yrs later... no point in keeping something and letting it lose money sitting in your garage...

 

Stabil in the fuel tank, inflate the tires, unplug the battery and cover it. I guess... I'm sure there is more you can do.

 

A product named Sta-Bil fuel stabilizer is the best thing you can do for your gas tank. 2 1/2 ounces per gallon of gas and fill your tank all the way up drive around the block and park it for a couple of years with no problems at all. You do want to fill up the tank to prevent moisture forming in the gas. The Sta-Bil will prevent the gas from turning into shellac and clogging up the works.

Still start the car and drive it around the block once a month if possable to keep the seals etc. from drying out. It will also keep the gears and transmission seals from drying out.

You can even go a couple of months without driving it if you really have to but I think I would get someone to do it once a month if I had someone I could trust and they would not just go joy riding in my car.

Sta-Bil is really good.

 

Here's some good info: http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk/tipowk15.html

 

Grad students can always find reasons for vehicles. Unless you're doing to school in the middle of DC or Manhattan or something...

Best of luck from another grad schooler.

 

I don't think I could park my MINI for 2 years, unless Uncle Sam was running my grad school in Kabul where the campus is definitely no student cars allowed. Try to drive monthly and use the gas preservative, don't worry too much about the tires the monthly drive will keep them round. I assume the car will be garaged, if not you better get a cover.

 

Yep, add fuel stabilizer.

Disconnect the battery, or better yet, buy a Battery Tender.

Consider putting the car on jack stands. Your tires will flat spot just sitting on the floor.

Do not put stored wheels and tires in a plastic bags. You can cover them with a canvas tarp.

If you are going to drive the car, do more than 15-20 mins. You really need all the operating fluids, water, engine oil, transmission oil, to reach normal operating temp to force any water vapor to evaporate.

Have the car serviced every year, (oil change), or at least before you put it back in service.

 

-wandrur

funny u say that, i'm attending grad school in Manhattan lol

thanks for all the replies, they've been helpful

 

Let me have it for 2 years

 

Fill the tank, change oil, put on jack stands, take off the wheels, open the doors about and inch or 2, disconnect the battery and keep on a charger and cover with a car cover. Preferabbly all of this done in an a/ced and heated.

 

Consider selling it and buying a new one when you are done with school.

 

@rixter

sure, come pick her up and i'll see u in 2 yrs lol

@ purpletree
@ slinger688

can u guys explain the reasons why i should consider selling it and buying a new one?

 

Definitely sell it, put the proceeds in to a safe investment like a certificate of deposit. They don't pay out great but won't deteriorate as your Mini will.

 

I'd just sell it, it's going to lose so much value just sitting there.

 

I can understand the sell it points of view, but it won't loose a ton of value as its not racking up any miles. At the end of grad school you will have a good low mileage car especially for the age. Yeah it won't be worth as much but it won't be terrible, and besides thats 2 more eyars of use you can get out of it down the road. I do agree though that selling it would make sense to me. Take the money, and buy a CD or better yet a bond that matures around the same time you get out of school. You will make a little money off of it and you can put it toward another car. I really think that makes the most financial sense. Also, if you are going to store it call your insurance company and either drop your insurance, or keep the insurance but tell them it will be garaged and will not be driven, and they will cut your rate down really really low, but be careful about the rules and the monthly maintenance drives because if you get in a wreck they won't cover you. If you do decide to sell it, and want to talk about putting the money away until you need it again PM me and I'll walk you through it.

 

The primarily depreciation is due to age of the car. Mileage is secondary. You will easily be able to pick up something the same vintage two years from now and still have some $$$ in your pocket.

 

Sell it now and use the money for something else or just save it for now.
2 yrs later, you can buy a 2 yrs "newer" car for more or less the same money...
The 2011s are coming out... 2 yrs later, you could buy a 1-2 yr old low mileage cooper with an upgraded engine (the 2011s are supposed to have more HP)...

I just think... unless the car is a vintage which is appreciating in value, no matter how good you think it is... there are at least 3-5 of those or similar or better on ebay ... and it is gonna continue to lose value and take up space...

Your priorities might change after grad school...

 

I realized this morning that there is an awesome product that would probably meet your needs perfectly: Carbonite.



Pros:
1. Keeps car perfectly preserved.
2. Floating storage unit makes transport easy while frozen.
3. Easy delivery by bounty-hunters to commander of supreme force of darkness, should the need arise.

Cons:
1. May be harder to clean off of car than Cosmoline.

 

R56 Cooper,

I'm in the same boat (applying to school in Philly, Manhattan etc..) and don't really agree that selling your mini is the best option. It's certainly a good option but if you plan to keep the car for a long time then store it and make sure to drive it whenever you visit for the holidays, summer etc. I always have driven my cars for 10+ years to get the most value from them. The hassle of selling then buying a new car sucks especially if you had one "built" just the way you like it.

 

jtrudeau-
You obviously have your mind made up, and obviously can afford to license, insure, and shelter your car without much regard for expense. No argument, for you that is the best option. Best of luck in school.

 

OLarry
I actually dont have my mind made up since I have yet to even apply to grad school until December. Shelter doesn't seem to be a concern for R56Cooper and beyond starting the car once or twice a year and driving it up the block I do not see a need to insure it. My point is that if he/she doesn't plan to sell the Mini for a long time why worry about resale value 7-8 years in advance. If you love the car and have the space to store it then consider keeping it.

 

Awesome....

 

@ dwebber18

yes i dropped the insurance, grad school is soo expensive, cutting back expenses hardcore!

@ jtrudeau

FINALLY! someone who sees my perspective! yes ok, speaking from a strictly financial viewpoint, it may make sense to sell the car and buy another one later. but i love my mini, i had it built just the way i want (they don't even make em in mellow yellow anymore) and after all the mods ($4,000 worth), maintenance and tlc (not to mention the fun times and memories) i've rly grown attached to my mini. to sell it seems outrageous. i don't mind the depreciation cuz i plan on keeping this baby for 10 yrs+ / 100,000 miles. or as long as i possibly can, this is my first new car and it does perfect

storing it is not an issue, it's safe in my garage under an indoor car cover. i plan on starting her up at least once a month and driving up and down my street for 20mins. i put some seafoam in the gas tank and it's back on the old wheels n tires.

 

Perhaps you already made up your mind so it is not so important to ask us for our opinions since you seem to be waiting for the one you agreed with.

Sometimes we may be a little too attached to our cars.