R50/53 New Here!
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
New Here!
Hello All!
I didn't see the standard "introduction" thread. If there is one, please feel free to move this an accept my apologies for posting in the wrong location!
I just purchased on '02 R50. Have had it for about a week and we love it! A bit of background, for those interested:
The car was listed at a steal of a deal of $5495. My wife's and my knowledge of cars extends to the ability to drive a manual, check oil levels, tire pressure, and change a wheel. And... that is where it ends. Obviously the price of the car seemed great, but we asked if we could take it to the mini dealer. $135 later we had a list of things wrong with the car. The exhaust was rusted out, the tires were down to almost no tread, there were some leaks in the power steering tubing, the drive-shaft creaked (the dreaded creaking sound!), and shifting into second was a little light (it didn't "click" in like the other gears. The mini (of Boston) mechanic said he had an '04 and had seen the second gear issue. It's nothing he said he would worry about, and it's pretty common. Same with the creaking drive-shaft; not a safety issue, just annoying. He also recommended NOT getting an exhaust, if we were to replace it, from mini since it would be steel. He recommended an aftermarket aluminum part. Long story short, parts and labor came out to just under $2500 (yes, I know a dealership garage overcharges, but cutting that in half isn't chump change either). He commented on how low the miles was and how the car was in great shape outside of the issues that were mentioned (cosmetically it could be brand new, for sure!)
So, we show this to the dealer who was selling it (they had a garage too) and he offers to throw on a fresh set of rubber as well as a brand new aftermarket exhaust. And... he isn't going to up the price of the car. Ok, had to jump on that deal! He didn't say he would, but they also fixed up the minor power steering issue without asking (hey, I don't mind!)
Now we have the mini and they did indeed fix the issues I mentioned. I am still stuck with the creak in the wheel, for which I have looked up some remedies. I stumbled across two main recommendations, one of which is using some white grease around the joints that creak or adding some felt tape on the upper and lower steering column area). Both options seem super cheap and like something I would be willing to tackle. Any further input would still certainly be appreciated though!
I would also like to, if possible, "fix" the second gear issue. Basically, sometimes when it should go into second it doesn't, so you have to give it a good tug. No grinding or any bad noises, it just sort of "pop" out. I read that the best remedy for this is removing the boot from the shifter and seeing if it is gummed up, Otherwise there might be some additional play in the wires(?) that connect the shifter to the actual transmission, in which case a mechanic would fix it. Input here would be great too. It isn't a HUGE deal, and it's actually something I am getting used to, but it would be nice to have all five gears shifting in the same manner.
Lastly, I noticed the rear sprayer for the wiper doesn't seem to be working. I can hear the motor(?) going back there and trying to pump the water, but nothing comes out. The sprayer tip does seem wet when used, so I am thinking that it may actually work, but it losing pressure somewhere or is clogged. Any suggestions on how o try and diagnose this?
Excited to be driving a mini, and even more excited at the price we were able to get this for. Just finished vetmed school so money was a bit tight, but this little car should last me two years at which point we plan on buying a brand new mini since we love this one so much. My wife drives a Ford Fiesta hatch which we always thought was small, but the mini is even smaller in comparison. So fun to drive and zip through traffic in Boston; the envy of SUV's!
I didn't see the standard "introduction" thread. If there is one, please feel free to move this an accept my apologies for posting in the wrong location!
I just purchased on '02 R50. Have had it for about a week and we love it! A bit of background, for those interested:
The car was listed at a steal of a deal of $5495. My wife's and my knowledge of cars extends to the ability to drive a manual, check oil levels, tire pressure, and change a wheel. And... that is where it ends. Obviously the price of the car seemed great, but we asked if we could take it to the mini dealer. $135 later we had a list of things wrong with the car. The exhaust was rusted out, the tires were down to almost no tread, there were some leaks in the power steering tubing, the drive-shaft creaked (the dreaded creaking sound!), and shifting into second was a little light (it didn't "click" in like the other gears. The mini (of Boston) mechanic said he had an '04 and had seen the second gear issue. It's nothing he said he would worry about, and it's pretty common. Same with the creaking drive-shaft; not a safety issue, just annoying. He also recommended NOT getting an exhaust, if we were to replace it, from mini since it would be steel. He recommended an aftermarket aluminum part. Long story short, parts and labor came out to just under $2500 (yes, I know a dealership garage overcharges, but cutting that in half isn't chump change either). He commented on how low the miles was and how the car was in great shape outside of the issues that were mentioned (cosmetically it could be brand new, for sure!)
So, we show this to the dealer who was selling it (they had a garage too) and he offers to throw on a fresh set of rubber as well as a brand new aftermarket exhaust. And... he isn't going to up the price of the car. Ok, had to jump on that deal! He didn't say he would, but they also fixed up the minor power steering issue without asking (hey, I don't mind!)
Now we have the mini and they did indeed fix the issues I mentioned. I am still stuck with the creak in the wheel, for which I have looked up some remedies. I stumbled across two main recommendations, one of which is using some white grease around the joints that creak or adding some felt tape on the upper and lower steering column area). Both options seem super cheap and like something I would be willing to tackle. Any further input would still certainly be appreciated though!
I would also like to, if possible, "fix" the second gear issue. Basically, sometimes when it should go into second it doesn't, so you have to give it a good tug. No grinding or any bad noises, it just sort of "pop" out. I read that the best remedy for this is removing the boot from the shifter and seeing if it is gummed up, Otherwise there might be some additional play in the wires(?) that connect the shifter to the actual transmission, in which case a mechanic would fix it. Input here would be great too. It isn't a HUGE deal, and it's actually something I am getting used to, but it would be nice to have all five gears shifting in the same manner.
Lastly, I noticed the rear sprayer for the wiper doesn't seem to be working. I can hear the motor(?) going back there and trying to pump the water, but nothing comes out. The sprayer tip does seem wet when used, so I am thinking that it may actually work, but it losing pressure somewhere or is clogged. Any suggestions on how o try and diagnose this?
Excited to be driving a mini, and even more excited at the price we were able to get this for. Just finished vetmed school so money was a bit tight, but this little car should last me two years at which point we plan on buying a brand new mini since we love this one so much. My wife drives a Ford Fiesta hatch which we always thought was small, but the mini is even smaller in comparison. So fun to drive and zip through traffic in Boston; the envy of SUV's!
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Just an update. Found a thread on how to fix the rear wiper/sprayer. Turns out it was all gummed up. Took a little readjustment, but it works now. Happy it wasn't something to do with a motor or anything.
Still would like to solve the second gear thing, especially.
Also, the creakiness of the wheel is something I decided to work on today. I don't think most people are removing the steering wheel to get at the joints when adding some 3-in-1 but I decided to give it a try. I didn't have the right tools, but I got to the point where the airbag was removed and had to put everything back on. If there is an easier way (without removing all of this) to do it, please let me know. Right now it seems the only way to remove even the front trim (which it sounded like some people were doing) is to remove the steering wheel, although there was no mention of that in my readings.
Still would like to solve the second gear thing, especially.
Also, the creakiness of the wheel is something I decided to work on today. I don't think most people are removing the steering wheel to get at the joints when adding some 3-in-1 but I decided to give it a try. I didn't have the right tools, but I got to the point where the airbag was removed and had to put everything back on. If there is an easier way (without removing all of this) to do it, please let me know. Right now it seems the only way to remove even the front trim (which it sounded like some people were doing) is to remove the steering wheel, although there was no mention of that in my readings.
Thread Starter
|
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Took care of the creakiness of the wheel today. Used some WD40 (brand) white lithium grease. I wasn't able to get at the parts that were creaking by just removing the lower panel, but taking the wheel and paneling off did the trick. Silent turns!
Noticed a "parking light" (don't know what to call it_ is out. Also there is a piece of exterior circular trim missing. Did some searching online but couldn't find either part. Going to take pics in the daylight and perhaps get some help from you guys identifying what parts I need.
Noticed a "parking light" (don't know what to call it_ is out. Also there is a piece of exterior circular trim missing. Did some searching online but couldn't find either part. Going to take pics in the daylight and perhaps get some help from you guys identifying what parts I need.
