I tried searching under "ignition coil" but all of the posts were people either upgrading theirs or had misfire issues. My car is an '06 base with 110k miles. Should I consider replacing just as maintenance item? I'm not looking for any performance gains. Looks like it is relatively cheap for a Mini one.

 

Absolutely. See my post on this same subject earlier today. I replaced mine at 125K and was shocked to discover significant corrosion on the # 3 terminal.

 

Pull the wire off on #3. It's the one most likely to get corrosion I've heard. It's the one nearest the firewall on the drivers side.

If it looks corroded, you may be able to clean it up a little.

My car came used to me with a Screamin Deamon coil pack. I'd never heard of that and most likely would have chosen MSD if I wanted to upgrade.

Someone told me the biggest difference is that the upgrade/after market ones have copper plateing (or maybe it's brass?) on the terminals. Resists corrosion better. Don't know for sure, but factory one is probably nickel plated,.. That's the material most often used to plate the electrodes on sparkplugs (unless you have a MINI which uses platinum in the oem plug)

 

Pulled the wire on #3 and it looks okay with regards to corrosion.

Was wondering if the internals break down? Not the same car but my old Miata needed coil pack every 75 - 100k miles because the engine heat would break them down.

 

It's not a bad idea to replace it as maint. since the corrode all the time.

 

If you have corrosion on your coil pack, clean it put some dielectric silicone on & keep on trucking. Unless you want to send your money to the vendor. I'm sure it would make his day. I wouldn't replace a functioning coil.

Do make sure to replace the plug wires. I change mine out every 50,000 miles.

 

Yeah, replaced the plugs/wires right after I got it.

 

If you replace it I suggest using the OEM part and not an aftermarket component. Many have had issues with the Screamin'Demon frying the ECU on the R53.

 

Yes, was likely going to buy OEM. Looks like there are a lot of people selling ones from Neon's/Dodges on ebay. Will stick to Mini.

 

Here is what mine looked like at 125K; terminal 3 is on the right.

disregard; photo link didn't work.