Well I recently purchased a 2006 MCS with 73k miles on it and I am getting ready to rip it apart and do a thorough tune-up on it before handing it over to the wife as her new daily driver.

I have been trying to conduct as much research as possible, but it is difficult bringing all of the sources together.

So, what recommendations does everyone have for me while I have the car pulled apart in the garage? There appears to be a leak of some sort by looking beneath the vehicle.

Here is a list of what I have planned: (Please provide any and all suggestions)

- Finding and correcting the leak by starting with the crank sensor o-ring

- Changing the engine oil/filter/drain plug (is changing the drain plug common practice? I am used to just changing the o-ring or washer on it, not the whole plug)

- Changing the supercharger fluid (does Mini have a preferred fluid? or is the GM stuff the norm)

- Changing the serpentine belt

- Possibly changing the main crank seal after closer inspection

- Inspecting the oil pan gasket

- Inspecting the power steering lines for leaks along with cleaning the fan and motor

- Possibly changing out the clutch while I have it all apart (still on the stock clutch at 73k miles, how much life is left on it?)

- There are a few other seals and gaskets that end up being changed with the removal of the charger that I plan on doing


Sorry for such a long post! I just want to have a one-and-done long overhaul so I can get the Mini back on the road before too long!

Please let me know if you have any other suggestions on what I should be looking at and what is common problem areas. Also, I have the mini madness strut plates on order already. The towers might have a slight mushroom (hard to tell), so I got the plates to be on the safe side in the future.

- Joe