Since I purchased my Cooper used with 23,000 mi on it, and really have no way of know about any servce beyond what is officially listed for the VIN #, I have changed the oil and filter, + air filter.

Now I want to get at the cabin filter. Does the cover just pull off? The nearest dealer is 200+ miles away and I would rather spend the few $$ myself than go over Donner Pass in the winter with the Cooper....Heck, it could get buried in an hour the way it snows up there!!!! I even think twice with the Honda Element which is tall. awd and excellent in the snow!

I suppose my knuckles will feel better in a week or 2...pretty tight under THAT HOOD...Oil Canister was fun but a little patience went a long way...I had a 911SC that had a "normal " but long oil filter...that was also a real bear and knuckle buster!

Regards
Jeff

 

Your next Service is in about 4k miles. Just wait till then and have Niello look at it.

 

Thank You...who is Niello...and from what I have seen in photos, these cabin filters get pretty nasty even at 6000 mi.

No service appears to have been done (officially that is, since about 12000mi...I would like to figure out how to inspect this filter at least. The oil is a prime example...whenever I buy a used car, I always change the oil, filter, and air filter just to be on the safe side!

Looking around, it seems that the cover just pulls off?

Thanks again
jeff

 

The dealership in Sacramento.

 

Jeff... The micro filter is behind the glove box. You'll remove the glove box and then there is a cover for the micro filter. It's a pretty easy removal and replacement.

As for Niello... You can visit their site at www.niellomini.com and also review some of the experiences that the GCM members had there at our dealer section

There is a "how-to" somewhere, but I cannot seem to find it. I'll keep looking. I think that I have it bookmarked on my home computer. When I find it, I'll post the link here for you!

 

Thanks again...

I have attempted to call the service dept in Sac and always get voice mail which is a little dis concerting....Sales always picks up the phone! <very nice people!>

Regards
Jeff

 

It doesn't say you have to remove the glovebox, but I've never done it.
The cover is accessable from the passenger footwell, it may be held in whith screws. Undo screws, take off cover, extract filter and replace. Cover back, screws in, and you're done.

Matt

 

I've personally had some bad experiences with the dealer in Sacramento, but I don't want to be too baised. My last service experience was good, just had to reset the SES light. Getting ahold of the service dept is a little tricky. There are a few places to pick up the microfilter outside of the dealer, if you're looking to install it yourself. It's an easy install. You can find the filter at coopersport.ca (NAM Sponsor) for about $37. Let me know if you have any questions. If you do go to Niello or any other Northern CA dealer for service, please post your experiences at the GCM board for others to read/review...

 

Hmmmm..Will wait til it warms up and have another look....they really put these together to stop the owners from doing any service (that is half the fun!)

I really appreciate the help...no reference to this thru Google!
regards
jeff

 

the filter door hinges directly down, but it's raining outside and I can't check my own car (being the wuss that I am!).

Matt

 

I don't think the glove box is a requirement, but I think it makes it easier access. It's only about 4 screws that hold the glove box on. I wish I could find that write up that someone did... it's very helpful!!! I'll keep looking.

 

I changed mine last week. Access is from underneath the glovebox, no need to remove the glovebox. There were 4 clips built into the cover, pried them off with my fingers and the cover pulled off - the back two were a bit harder to reach. The filter swaps real easy and pop the cover back on, total time less than 5 minutes.

The cover did have 4 holes for screws, but there were none on mine. This is best done with passenger seat all the way back and lying on your back with legs hanging out the door. People with larger hands might want a broad screwdriver to make things easier.

 

Geez...what a great group of people!

The dealer (NOT MINI) looked up the Oil light reset info...is it against the forum rules for me to post it...

From what I see, you folks probably already have it!!! They make you think you have to be blessed by the good tooth fairy with "the tool" which was outlawed years ago by the Feds...BMW started it!

Since it is winter, I asked BMW if they could do an oil chg...sure and they would even reset the light (they emphasized needing the tool!) for $$80

With the needed Socket, 5 Q of Mobile1 5w30, a set of Tuff racks (the old Porsche racks were too high!), Filter + Air filter (all German-HENGST) the cost was under $60 - Excluding the Air filter)...I have always used Hengst, in my old Porsche as well!)
BTW: you can get a 5Q jug of almost any synthetic at Walmart for between 19-$20! I happen to like Mobile 1 but they had Castrol too! (always liked their racing real oil in the Porsche (which I sold a few years ago!)

I will drive it over the hill in a few months for the service inspection though! Oil changes beyond that I will do, even though the warranty is still active! If the Honda Element were just a little bigger inside, I would load the mini into it for the trip! <grin>

I keep all receipts etc, in case they try to give me the voided warranty business!



Thanks again
jeff

 

Sorry. You said Dealer was 200 miles away, and it sounded like you might be talking about Niello. heh oops.

 

Yep same dealer:
Had no idea it was that name...my listing just showed a mini dealer in Sacramento! been too busy scouring the net to learn more about this little beast.

Anyone remember the old Esso (EXXON) "Tiger in the tank" compaign where they gave you a tiger tail to hang from the gas tank filler...WISH I HAD HELD ON TO IT...FITS THE COOPER WELL!

 

I changed the Micro Filter in our 2003 MC today. The instructions came with the Filter. There were no screws holding the Cover on but it was not easy to remove & difficult to say the least to snap the Cover back on after i put the Filter in. The Filter was very dirty.The Air Flow from the Dash was much stronger.

 

I bought a cabin air filter from a reputable parts store(Where I get a "discount")for $28.It was in a Bosch box,which I found was available at another parts store for $17.These are plain paper filters,not the better quality type available from dealers and MINI parts vendors.I suppose a cheap one would be OK,if you change it often enough.There again,I would think the filter life would depend on the usage of the heater/air conditioner.

 

I did mine late this summer with an oem one for about $30. I only use the carbon ones due to allergies. Micron also has one (carbon) for about $26 and a regular paper one ($16) at Moss Mini ...Not driving 250 miles RT for any of that stuff!!!!
Of course getting it in/out was fun....legs on the the pass seat and upside down to look up at the filter canister...it also inserts a little funny and I do not think the Bosch one is really a great fit. bentley manual really comes in handy sometimes! Those plastic tabs are fun too (not)

recently finished flushing out the brown coolant crap from my 04 that Mini says is normal...NOT...

I got the TSB that MiniUSA and Neillo say never existed from another MCS owner in texas ...what a sham!

(It is on the way to the appropriate parties too!).....Used a vacufill machine to complete 3 fresh water flushes to rid the system, block, heater core and all from that garbage, particles and contaminents (purges the air and pressure tests too, with no removal of the lower hose needed)....Kind of reminds me of the Dex Cool disaster from GM...Still used 50/50 Mini Coolant/distilled water to protect the final year on my warranty though...I believe their coolant is similar to the dex crap and contributes to the corrosion etc....Niello was of no assistance at all! The final straw is that Mini says NO Silicas in coolant...guess what ingredients are listed on the Mini and bmw (exactly the same ingredients btw) jugs..."contains Silicas"

Hope everyone is well...
jeff

 

Can I drop off my MINI for a little TLC? Yours is far too clean! Ha, Ha! Hope all is well. PS...I still really like that PW/PW combination you have...pretty sharp.

 

Hiya...was going to give you a holiday shout and am glad all is well......When you get a chance, do check your coolant level and color... engine cold, or have your brother do it...I can also since I have a hygrometer. Mini has really stonewalled this one!

BTW I referenced Dex Cool...a GM product that has at least 4 class actions against it (GM, Texaco/Chevron and others to be named) for corroding auto engines...they promise 100,000-150,000 lifetime...BIG YOKE...just like the rest of this extended service stuff.....at least it turns Pink (Not Brown!)

Neither my independant Honda or Bimmer mechs thinks any of it is a good idea...I concur!

Hope you found snows for your Checkmate (a beauty)...seriously, If I can help with your service, I will gladly. My 3rd garage bay is pretty well setup! Have ramps but no lift...Pulley and milltech exhaust have the little Bugger screaming


Going over the hill at this time of year is just asking for a broken windshield! I still have to go this spring for a siezed Power steering fan. Would do that myself too ($160 part from niello...$100 from Clasic Mini!) so I will let the warranty do it (2 bolts and a plug....Things at Niello have changed. KC is Gone and a guy named chris is there with Marius...I will request Marius.....!!!!