So I've had Otto (2005 mcs) less than a year and I'm in love. However I've had to replace the slave cylinder, temp gauge, & water pump already all because of leaks. He has around 40,000 miles. What should be the next few problems & how do I prepare my husband? Because there is NO WAY Otto is leaving me!

 

Hard to say. Sorta depends on the normal driving environments and what type of car owner you are. Automatic tranny or manual ? Are you the fix it when it breaks type or a maintenance type of MINI owner ?

The Hydraulic upper engine mounts in 05'-06's are an issue but most fail around 70K-80K+ but some sooner than that. Low speed radiator fan failure probable. Maybe a bad power steering pump cooling fan too. But it is my understanding that 05 and up MCS's may have a recall on the whole Power Steering pump set up anyways.....Control arm bushing(s) possibly in next 10-30K miles too. Usually right side begins to go first. Gaskets can go making for some oil seepage ( Pulse Generator O-ring, Crank pulley O-ring, Oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket and spark plug O-rings )

Best thing you or anyone could do ( goes for 2nd Gen MINI's as well ) is to just perform pre-maintenance sheduled services on your own, like oil, brake fluid and coolant. And replacing the fuel filter is not a bad idea too. I am on my third fuel filter at 103K miles which MINI describes as being lifetime, but it is far from it.

Lastly, when was the last time the belt was changed ? I usually replace the belt once a year. They are relatively cheap and take a beating.

After hanging out here for a while you will learn most of what you need to know, hopefully making your MINI ownership experience a better one.

 

The simple answer is, it depends....
Some folks have all the "common" issues, some none. Stay ontop of your preventive maintaince, and be familar with you car...be alert for changes, both rapid, and gradual...
Fortunatly, the issues you had fixed are kinda rare.....anything can break at anytime, but often reliability depends on both care and mantaince in addition to orgional build quality and engineering!
Good luck, and it is nice to hear you love you Mini!!

 

Let's keep our fingers crossed that your Otto and my Minkins keep a low profile, as far as husbands go.