So the wife and I got a mini two years ago, finally decided to join a forum as the warrenty has expired... I'm looking for the proper terminology to advance beyond noob status as quickly as possible. As husband, it is my job to look after this sort of thing, I'm somewhat mechanicly inclined but have no problem paying for something to be done right!

Here's the skinny:

- 2004 Mini Cooper, Electric Blue, white roof, the dual sunroof setup (sweet)
- Has Mini 5 spoke white wheels
- 5 speed
- Just rolled over 101,000 kms (bought it at 68,000, no service history hard copies but BMW Halifax was able to look up and see that it made regular stops to a BMW dealership in Quebec before it was sold to a 3rd party dealer in Nova Scotia)
- The odd shopping cart ding since we got it but not enough to break anything or cause rust, will fix eventually
- Overall quite good shape, but noticing slight rattling/clunking in the rear, (strut mounts? If anyone's ever had those go in their Cavalier/Sunfire, the noise sounds exactly like that!) no doubt just age and Nova Scotia roads...
- Few electric gremlins that cause windows/sunroof to open a crack by themselves after it's been parked for more than a week, but no biggie.
- Broke 3 (3!) wheel studs after tire shop torqued summer tires to 11,000 lbs.... Now have two warped front rotors after using torch and easy out. Replacement rotors and pads should arrive in a day or two.
- Replaced brake fluid with Redline fluid for first lapping day last year
- Have replaced battery and exhaust hangers since we bought it (under warrenty)
- Replaced driver A pillar plastic cover after it flew off on the highway before I could catch it, destroyed by semi that was following behind - driver thought it was funny as hell...

Here's what I would like to know:

- Is there a specific model number for this year (I see R50 and R53?)
- Is there a specific model number for the engine? (Just Cooper, not the S)
- The car has electric power steering, right? Is the pump supposed to whine as loud as it does? The guy at BWM Halifax said that sort of noise is normal and we've never had steering problems, all the fluid is still where it is supposed to be but holy crap it is loud - do they ever burst into flames or something?
- Are there any historical maintenance issues that we need to look at ASAP?
- Are there any routine maintenance things we should do soon? (Yes, looked in manuals, but Checkup I and Checkup II aren't really explained...)
- Anything other glaring issues I should know about?

Not planning to do anything crazy with it, might take to a lapping day once a year, just a daily driver for us until I get my brand new (read old and heavily abused) Z on the road.

Thanks in advance!

 

- Is there a specific model number for this year (I see R50 and R53?)

It's based on both the year and the engine. Yours is an R50 since it's a Cooper. Cooper S's are R53's

- Is there a specific model number for the engine? (Just Cooper, not the S)

That's adressed by the R__ codes.

- The car has electric power steering, right? Is the pump supposed to whine as loud as it does? The guy at BWM Halifax said that sort of noise is normal and we've never had steering problems, all the fluid is still where it is supposed to be but holy crap it is loud - do they ever burst into flames or something?

Yes, they're very loud and that's normal. I believe there have been a few random fires tied back to the power steering fan.

 

Excellent, just what I wanted to hear Thanks!