OK so I'm new here but I just bought an 06 MCS and I'm not sure how well it was maintained before me so I'm trying to see what I should go through and do, it has 123000 miles on it, is there anything specific I should do or should I just treat it like any other and basically go through all the filters and fluids

 

Congrats. With 123k miles you need to go over the car and see what has been done as there isn't really a schedule with a car that has that many miles as it had to have maint to get to that so advising you to do certain things may be a waste as likely many things have been done.

 

If you are unsure, the first thing I would do is change ALL the fluids.

 

Congrats on your 06 R53!
You shoukd check the brakes for wear, the discs for wear, the wheel bearing for wear, the tie rods, swing arm bushings, sway bar bushings and struts.
The plugs need a look at and make sure to use NGK iridiums. The miles may indicate the supercharger may be tired and the belt and idler bearing may be worn also.
As you can see the list can be very long, as I have only hit on a few places to look.

It is further important to use a high quality 12 Volt battery, as cheap ones do not have stable voltage and these cars do not do well with them and the CPU can get wonky. (you don't want this!)
Make sure to change the oil filter with a synthetic rated one and only use full synthetic oils. The power steering fluid is also special, so don 't use the pink stuff in it!!!
Premium grade fuel is essential in these engines.

Pics are MUST FOR US TO SEE!

Good luck with your new to you 06 R53, as they are one of the best years out there!

 

Congrats and welcome!

 

www.toptiergas.com. Only fuel our R53 has ever experienced since new.

 

thanks for the advice, suspension parts all seem solid, I have ordered redline mtl to replace transmission fluid, did a coolant flush this morning, I was looking into iridium plugs and ngk wires but i decided to hold off until i decide on whether or not I want to change the coil pack, brakes are good, will do an oil change here shortly.

I just started the process of changing the clutch and so far everything seems to be going ok I noticed the crankshaft position sensor seal is leaking a little bit so that will be done while I have everything apart for the clutch as well as the rear main seal even though it doesnt appear to be leaking. I will take some pictures once it's back together and I look forward to asking stupid questions on here!

 

congrats on purchase !!!

05 and 06 are the BEST years to own according to the mechanics a Mini Peabody

That's what they all drive

 

Love it so far just put a clutch in it and I am trying to go over all of the seals I've replaced most of the fluids, right now I'm pretty happy and I've only got about 3k in it so far and I've almost gone over all of the basic maintenance and did a major repair on it so I think I got a hell of a deal

 

A used car is similar to life and a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. With a Mini, I consider "Good Luck" more appropriate when first purchased with the "Congratuations" coming after a few months if you still have a smile on your face.

I just sold my 08 Vette (13,600 miles), got nothing buy oohs and ahs when people saw it. Most people will not do the same when they see your Mini but its OK if you drive around with a grin on your face like most of here do.

 

One of my last cars was an rx8 so expensive and often repairs are almost normal for me i don't know how long I'll have my mini it is fun and looks good but I will probably end up trying to trade it for another rx8 i just love those cars and I know them inside and out, but in the meantime I'll be enjoying my mini

 

That's a STEAL for $3000 !!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT PURCHASE !!!!!!

 

Thanks, I actually paid 2500 for it but after
A clutch
Ngk iridium spark plugs + wires + coil pack
Rear crankshaft seal
Coolant flush
Coolant expansion tank
Coolant temp sensor
Oil pan gasket
Crankshaft position sensor gasket
Supercharger service
Both rear fender flares (does anyone have a good tip to get those to stay on well?)
I have right around 3200 in it and I've gotten almost all the maintenance I want to do done
Once I get into mods my wallet will really start to cry

 

Great purchase, and welcome! To add to what others have suggested: check the vibration damper/crank pulley. They are prone to failing.

My story: I picked up my well maintained '05 with ~90k miles on it. I found a receipt in the owners manual for the replacement of the pulley (done at the dealer. Yikes! $$$) just a few hundred miles before. Apparently, the previous owner dumped the car after its first major breakdown after babying the car since new.

I'm at 132k miles. I am fastidious about maintenance, but it's my daily driver, and has been reliable and awesome fun to drive.

Super easy to inspect the pulley: lift the car and remove the passenger side wheel, then the inner fender liner (easy). The pulley is right there. If the rubber section in the pulley is cracked, separated, misaligned in any way, you need a new one. Good luck!

 

That is a sweet looking R53. Congrats. I picked up one this year as well and am totally hooked. We have free service and maintenance guides on our site, as well as an entire R53 section, so please feel free to check it out. Any questions, just ask!

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Routin..._I_and_II_2344

http://new.minimania.com/MINI_Cooper...nd_Accessories

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.