'02 r50

 

Yeay! Milestone...

Motpr on!

 

 

I just hit 100086 so I just got there.

 

I"m around 134,000 the last time I looked

 

Hi,

Just purchased a pretty cheap, April 2006 production Mini Cooper RHD, manual 5-speed, R50 from Japan. I am assuming this is the same as a UK or European spec?

Has 135k KMS (84k miles) on the clock and has a few bumps and bruises as can be seen in the pics attached.

Car is on the way to the Caribbean so I have a few months to make a plan.

Any one here ever changed a rocker panel, easy? Any suggestions on best place to purchase a new one from USA?

I assume that is just a little plastic cap next to the light that is missing, any ideas where to purchase in the USA?

Interior looks pretty clean and in good shape considering the outside of the car.

OK, worst part is the rear dent, even some rust showing. Don't think I will replace the whole quarter panel, probably just cut out the rust, weld in some new metal and then bondo, paint, etc.

Hope the clutch is still good, at least it has the Getrag gear box which hopefully is OK too.

Car isn't coming with any service history so planning on doing the items below. Any other suggestions? Very near to that 100k miles mark, what major items have you had to deal with on the way?


Change oil and oil filter (oil suggestions for a hot Caribbean climate?)
Change air filter

Potential:

Change brake pads and discs
Fuel filter
Plugs and wires
Tires

Thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thank you for your time.

 

Near 150,000. Never a blip or problem. Love my Mini!

 

Rocker plastic is easy to do , you can finish faster than you can drink a Red Strip. Example of the part: http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2006-C...irts/ES127383/ $83.69

Headlight Washer Cap: http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2006-C...iper/ES172796/ $8.85

Rear Quarter: http://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2006-C...ender/ES71998/ $284.53

You want to check your lower control arm bushings, make sure your strut towers haven't mushroomed.

Don't forget to change the cabin air filter as well.

Use the recommended Oil you should be fine.

Once you get it up to par it is easy to keep it up... keep it off the beach and don't park off the end of any piers...

Welcome to the MINIacs!

Motor on!

 

LOL, great help! Thank you

 

LOL, thank you!

 

+1 JABowders bring the A game today.

 

'04 R53 purchased nearly 2 weeks ago closing in on 115k miles.

 

Hi,


Was looking in to this mushrooming a little more. Has things like the below been proven to prevent mushrooming from starting or prevent further mushrooming? I actually don't see how a plate below or above would help, wouldn't the sides / tower stretch then if the metal wasn't designed thick or strong enough to handle the small shock travel / abuse?


http://new.minimania.com/part/NMS730...rcement-Plates




Any comprehensive links and real world examples I can be directed to?


Thank you for your time.

 

Hi,


Was looking in to this mushrooming a little more. Has things like the below been proven to prevent mushrooming from starting or prevent further mushrooming? I actually don't see how a plate below or above would help, wouldn't the sides / tower stretch then if the metal wasn't designed thick or strong enough to handle the small shock travel / abuse?


http://new.minimania.com/part/NMS730...rcement-Plates




Any comprehensive links and real world examples I can be directed to?


Thank you for your time.

 

Hi,


Does any product truly prevent strut mushrooming or can prevent further mushrooming? Bold claims here:


http://www.madnessmotorworks.com/mad...nt-plates.aspx


http://new.minimania.com/part/NMS730...rcement-Plates


Was there ever a conclusion on what the best way forward was to prevent and halt mushrooming?

 

bttt

 

I never understood how bolting something to the top of the strut tower would have any significant impact on stopping forces from the bottom.

There are plates that bolt under the tower, essentially a wide top mount. This does not decrease the forces but spreads them out. May prevent mushrooming but is it setting you up for a more catastrophic failure later? Conventional wisdom says no so far, but you do raise the front by a few millimeters.

Finally you can sandwich the strut tower, using a plate from the bottom and top, perhaps the top having a cross brace for more stiffness?

For me the under tower plates make the most sense.

 

I agree, would love to hear some real world examples.

 

05 MCS Purple Haze about 100200. Keepin it forever!

 

Artoo, 2003 MCS, passed 150,000 miles this afternoon. For laughs I did a compression test. 155/160/170/165.

I say not bad and not exactly what I expected.

///Rich

 

I'm a little past 100,000...
I'll be hitting 233,000 this week!
2004 Cooper - First Owner

 

Incredible, any chance of providing a list of service items and any major repairs or replacements?

 

bttt

 

My 06 Cooper is at 143,000 and I plan on keeping him at least one more year...

 

Check first to see if the headlight washer isn't broken. I made the mistake of buying the cap, then when i saw that it wasnt snapping into place i checked the washer. I heard that the headlight washers tend to break after wear and tear. You can find the part at ecstuning.com as well. Let me guess! Its the right one? (Passenger side)