Hey Guys,

I'll be placing my order in the next day or two.

I'll be ordering the Mishimoto all aluminum performance radiator, because the plastic tank on mine is cracked.

I saw the set of Mishimoto set of 4 poly hoses. There's bling, and lifetime warranty, $156.

My question is, will the original rubber hoses likely fail?

It's a 2005 MCS (87000 miles) so they're 8 years old. I wouldn't mind too much replacing the hoses "while I'm in there", but I'm having difficulty deciding if it's necessary. As far as I know there's nothing wrong with the original hoses. On all my previous cars I've not replaced them unless they fail, but they were also a lot easier to get at.

Anyone have a hose on their MINI fail in under 8 years? How many 2002 and 2003 still have original hoses with no problems?

I'm also going to replace my low-speed fan resistor.

Also I'll try the Powerflex motormount inserts. That's just the big and little end on the passenger side lower one, and the one on the drivers side is just one under the air-box, reffered to as transmission mount, and thats all of them (3 pieces for 2 mounts) correct? (my upper passenger side is OEM, new a few months ago, I'll look at TSW or VibraTech later when it fails again)

Thanks in advance for your insight.


-Alex

 

I'm a firm believer of the "while I'm in there" train of thought. It's easier to replace at this point instead of waiting for a failure.

 

Big "thumbs up" for the Mishimoto! Also a fan of "while you're in there" philosophy but I'd just go with replacing the 3 main hoses with standard issue stuff. The heater hoses, etc. are a virtual "rats nest" and, unless you're ****, I'd leave them be. BTW, be careful when you swing your A/C condenser out of the way so as not to break the tubing.

 

another "while your in there"

or the thought of..." I dont want to gave to do this twice for something as easy as a hose"

 

Rubber hoses have come a long way....
But as they approach 10 years/200,000 miles, I usually swap them regardless of looks.
Sure the rubber is better than years ago...and the fabric in them are Better...they are even made to help conduct electrical charges (a common cause of failure on older hoses)...
But still....while you are there....
Cost me $20 on rock auto to get quality name brand replacements for the non-mini when doing some other cooling system work...good piece of mind!!

 

Thanks for all the help guys. I've placed my order.

Now I have to wait for shipping....

 

Thanks very much for the tip! Helpful info like this has been very valuable to me.

-Alex

 

I am also normally a believer of the "while your in there" but I must admit that last winter I did not change them when I was doing my supercharger oil change along with my head gasket change (also a 2005 R53) ... I now regret that choice even though nothing has failed yet.

If you have the money to do it then I would go for it ... especially after 8 years

Anyhow let us know how the install goes and post pics of the final product

 

You bet. I'll post some pics. It will be a while, the radiator and everything is coming in the slow bus it seems.

I skipped on the hoses. I have an old beater I can drive whenever I need to do more work on the MINI.

For the price of the shiny blue poly hoses,... Heck, that's a pulley and some plugs, which I think I would enjoy more. -Its too bad,.. I don't think Santa Clause stocks Craven Speed parts, but the pulley can wait till the new year. I want to do some Christmas shopping for my family next.

With any luck, I'll be on the road again with the new radiator before Thanksgiving.

 

I love the day that the FedEX truck comes. What's more fun than coming home to unwrap packages? Maybe having time to install this weekend.

A special thanks to ECS. When I placed my order, I selected the slowest/cheapest shipping. I figured I'd have it by Nov 12. I don't know how or why the radiator was apparently expedited to ECS, but it sped things up by about a week. Not sure if they just do that when they can, or if Mike who frequents this forum and helped answer some of my radiator questions last month saw the order and put a rush on it. Either way just wanted to say Nice Job ECS.