Does anyone know of a list of maintenance items ? I searched and everyone says it's in the manual. I can't find anything, it just tells me to follow the service indicator light.
So I know all about oil, I'm guessing plugs at 100k, what about belts and other things ?
I just want to know what to plan for and what might have been skipped over.

 

Here is what I follow.

Oil and filter - 5,000 to 7,000mi
transmission fluid - 20,000mi
belt - 20,000mi
coolant - 2 years
brake fluid - annual
spark plugs - 20,000 to 25,000mi
grease door hinges - annual
inspect hoses - monthly
fuel filter - 40,000mi
cabin filter - 2 years
inspect struts, ball joints, bushings - annual or when you have the car up
tires(condition and pressure) - inspect weekly
wipers - 3 to 6 months
O2 sensor - 60,000 to 100,000mi
various sensors - lifetime?

 

The spark plug interval seems a little low. The transmission also, but the way you shift can play a big role in terms of that, and that is just me.

What transmission fluid have you been using? The stuff I have in there now is getting about 4 years old with 25k on it (along with my plugs, and my belt I bet), so I have been thinking about switching it with something else.

 

MINI Inspection I:

Undercarriage
Change oil and oil filter while engine is at operating temperature.
We recommend MINI Synthetic Motor Oil, p/n 07 51 0 143 829
Check transmission for leaks.
Change CVT (automatic) transmission fluid.
Half shafts: Check for leaks at flexible boots.
Visually check fuel tank, lines and connections for leaks.
Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
Check power steering system for leaks. Check p/s fluid level; add fluid if necessary.
Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads (outer pads only) using special tool.
If replacement is necessary:
Examine brake disc surfaces. clean brake pad contact points in calipers. Grease wheel centering hubs.
Check thickness of parking brake linings only when replacing rear pads.
Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage and joint disc.
Check brake system connections and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
Check parking brake actuation. Adjust if necessary.
Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary. Check condition of tires (outer surfaces [left/right]), tread wear and pattern; in case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if requested.*
Note:If requested rotate all four road wheels as instructed and rebalance.*
Inspect entire body according to terms of rust perforation limited warranty (must be performed at least every two years).

Engine Compartment
Read out diagnostic system.
Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks. Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
Note:Coolant must be replaced every 4 years (time interval begins from vehicle's production date).
Check level of brake fluid in reservoir. Add fluid if required.
Replace brake fluid every 2 years (timing interval begins from vehicle's production date).*
Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
Check air conditioner operation.
Replace microfilter.
Note: reduce replacement interval in dusty operating conditions.
Reset Service Interval Indicator.

Body/Electrical Equipment
Check battery state-of-charge, and charge if required.*
Check lighting system, i.e., headlights, foglights, parking, back-up, license plate, interior, glove box, illuminated make-up mirrors, luggage area lights.
Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
Check windshield and tailgate wipers and washer systems; wiper blades, washer jet positions.
Check condition and function of safety belts.
Check central locking system.
Check operation of all latches.
Check heater/air conditioner blower fan, rear window defogger.
Check rear view mirrors.
Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn covers, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations or accessories.

Final Inspection
Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, automatic transmission.
Visually check shock absorbers for leaks.


MINI Inspection II:

Undercarriage
Change oil and oil filter while engine is at operating temperature.
We recommend MINI Synthetic Motor Oil, p/n 07 51 0 143 829
Check transmission for leaks.
Change CVT (automatic) transmission fluid.
Half shafts: Check for leaks at flexible boots.
Visually check fuel tank, lines and connections for leaks.
Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Examine for leaks.
Check power steering system for leaks. Check p/s fluid level; add fluid if necessary.
Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads (outer pads only) using special tool.
If replacement is necessary:
Examine brake disc surfaces. clean brake pad contact points in calipers. Grease wheel centering hubs.
Check thickness of parking brake linings only when replacing rear pads.
Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage and joint disc.
Check brake system connections and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
Check parking brake actuation. Adjust if necessary.
Check all tire pressures (including spare). Correct if necessary. Check condition of tires (outer surfaces [left/right]), tread wear and pattern; in case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if requested.*
Note:If requested rotate all four road wheels as instructed and rebalance.*
Inspect entire body according to terms of rust perforation limited warranty (must be performed at least every two years).

Engine Compartment
Read out diagnostic system.
Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks. Check coolant level and antifreeze protection level; add coolant if necessary.
Note:Coolant must be replaced every 4 years (time interval begins from vehicle's production date).
Check level of brake fluid in reservoir. Add fluid if required.
Replace brake fluid every 2 years (timing interval begins from vehicle's production date).*
Check windshield washer fluid level and antifreeze protection. Fill up and/or correct if necessary.
Check air conditioner operation.
Replace microfilter.
Note: reduce replacement interval in dusty operating conditions.
Reset Service Interval Indicator.
Replace intake air cleaner element.
Note: Reduce replace interval in dusty operating conditions.
Replace poly V-belt.

Body/Electrical Equipment
Check battery state-of-charge, and charge if required.*
Check lighting system, i.e., headlights, foglights, parking, back-up, license plate, interior, glove box, illuminated make-up mirrors, luggage area lights.
Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.
Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
Check windshield and tailgate wipers and washer systems; wiper blades, washer jet positions.
Check condition and function of safety belts.
Check central locking system.
Check operation of all latches.
Check heater/air conditioner blower fan, rear window defogger.
Check rear view mirrors.
Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn covers, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations or accessories.

Final Inspection
Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, automatic transmission.
Visually check shock absorbers for leaks.

 

Scott, what milages are those at?

 

Since the onboard computer adjusts the service intervals based on how you drive the car, "Inspection I" and "Inspection II" don't come due at any specific mileage.

On my car, "Inspection I" came due at about 33k miles, and it's looking like "Inspection II" won't come due until about 76k miles. But since a lot of my driving is on the interstate rather than around town, both services will probably come due sooner for most people.

 

My 2004 MCS had its Inspection I at 20k miles. I currently have 9k miles left before my Inspection II service and I'm currently at 47.5k. So would ANYONE follow the 15k miles in between oil change as suggested by my Mini's computer?

 

When did you come due for the oil change that's in-between Inspection I and Inspection II? If it was midway between 20k when you had Inspection I and 56,500 when you'll supposedly be due for Inspection II, that's more like 18,250 between oil changes. (And that's assuming you really come due for Inspection II at 56,500 miles - your OBC will likely continue to stretch out the interval, so Inspection II is probably more than 9k miles away, despite what your OBC is telling you right now.)

I have to say, 20k miles is the soonest I've ever seen anyone come due for Inspection I. When did your first oil change come due?

My OBC-recommended services have gone like this:

Oil Change - 12,500
Inspection I - 33,200
Oil Change - 54,500 (that's an estimate - I'm 1400 miles away right now, and currently have 53,100 miles)

So at the rate I'm going, Inspection II is probably going to come due at about 76k miles.

 

Well, I'm the second owner of the vehicle and I don't think the previous owner quite followed the OBC's recommendations. I honestly think he squeezed it in so that the dealer would do it for free. In any case here's what's been done:

1st Free oil change - 10,669
Inspection I - 20,544
Oil change #2 - 30,222
Oil change #3 - 39,534
Inspection II OBC recommendation - 56,500

I got the car a few months before oil change 3 and after eating the $100 oil change fee at the dealer, I was determined to just follow whatever the OBC said and stretch out my time between changes so I'm not wasting my hard earned money.

ScottRiqui: So you've only changed your oil 3 times in 53k miles?

 

also...no where on the maintenance schedule does it mention anything about changing out the fuel filter....how often should this sucker be replaced?

 

hmmm - without knowing which of those oil changes were OBC-recommended and which were extras or annual low-mileage changes, it's hard to tell what kind of interval your OBC is recommending. But assuming that Inspection I was done when the OBC recommended, it really looks like the OBC is going about 18k miles between services. (There should have been one OBC recommend oil change before Inspection I and another in between Inspection I and Inspection II, so either "Oil change #2" or "Oil Change #3" in your list was an extra.

And no - I've changed my oil more than the two times my OBC has recommended so far. I can't imagine being at 53k and only being on the third batch of oil (the factory fill, and the changes at 12,500 and 33,200).

I've been changing my oil about every 10-11k miles. It's a good number because it kind of split the OBC-recommended interval in half, and based on the oil analyses I've had done, 10k is about as long as I feel comfortable going between oil changes on my car.

 

I don't have a good recommendation for the fuel filter. Presumably, if it gets clogged enough that the fuel pump can't maintain adequate pressure at the injectors, you'd get some kind of fault code from the computer.

I'm probably going to change mine at about 75k miles just on general principle. Plus, that'll be an easy interval to remember.

 

Does the Inspection I work need to be done by the dealer? My level of trust in them is NOT good.

 

Great information guys!

 

Yup...awesome. I don't want to pay to have the dealer do my Inspection I - but since I picked up the car a few months ago, I'd really like them to look it over to make sure I didn't miss any issues before I'm out of warranty.

I know it varies, but what's the AVE cost for the "Inspection I"?

 

my 05 mcs just broke the 20k barrier and it shows 8k on the count down i called the dealer asking how much it would be to do the inspection and they wouldnt give me a price, i think probably bc it varies between all cars... or they just dont want us to price fish. :/

 

Doh....I'll be calling them in the next week or so because I will need it done. I can't imagine they can withhold the cost information as the consumer really needs to be able to budget for it and such.

I'll report back what they say.....

 

look for this for long time! thx for posting!

 

I cannot get a clear answer from the dealer that sold me a used 06 Mini. Does any one know the intervals when the CVT transmission fluid has to be changed? I know that when the car shows "Inspection 1" you then have to have it done. But I have also heard on this forum that some people change it every 30,000 miles or so, regardless of what the service interval display shows. The salesperson who sold me the car is even convinced that it never has to be changed because the transmission is sealed. My mini has 33,000 on it now. I wish Mini was a bit more clear on this. Any advice?

 

MINI *is* very clear on it. The CVT fluid is changed as part of both Inspection I and Inspection II. For most people, that means you'll replace the fluid every 30-40k miles, if not sooner. I came due for Inspection I at around 33k and Inspection II at around 75k. And that's with a LOT of highway driving, which extends the service intervals quite a bit. For someone that does more in-town driving, the services would have come due sooner.

The salesperson is probably confusing the CVT fluid with the fluid in the manual transmission, which doesn't have a prescribed service interval.

 

You can call me a dinosaur, but I still maintain a 5,000 oil/filter change interval. I do a lot of short haul driving, and severe winter weather. Am at 123,000 now, on my '03, fingers crossed for many more.

 

Hey Everyone,

I've been thumbing through all of the posts on this thread and it has awesome information!

Question....
I have a 2006 MCS (see specs below) and it has about 33,200 miles on it. I just bought it Jan 21, 2011 and the dealer did the typical oil change/filter and general safety inspection. The dealer sticker says the next oil change is 34.483 miles. What all should I have done when I take it in?

Thanks!

 

[quote=Quadrivium10;3258330

Question....
I have a 2006 MCS (see specs below) and it has about 33,200 miles on it. I just bought it Jan 21, 2011 and the dealer did the typical oil change/filter and general safety inspection. The dealer sticker says the next oil change is 34.483 miles. What all should I have done when I take it in?

Thanks![/quote]
Don't know what the mileage was when you bought it, or the dealer's assumption about interval (5K? 10? 15? probably 15?), but you are only 1200 miles off what the sticker shows, so if it was me, I would go ahead with oil and filter change. Just came through a rough quarter of the year , depending upon where you are.

 

It had 31,483 miles on it when I bought it (didn't buy it from a BMW or MINI dealer...bought it from another large reputable car dealer). When I take it to a European Independent Shop they need to reset the onboard computer (Arbogast didn't have the tools to do that) for the oil change and such.

Are there any other things I should have them check out?

Thanks for the reply, btw!

 

You don't need special tools to reset the service indicator on your '06 - all it takes is a combination of pressing the trip odometer button and turning the ignition key.

Directions can be found here.