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Everyone keeps saying preventative maintenance is the best. Yes changing your fluids is a very good idea but other than that what can you do?
All these things are going to wear out: tensioner pulley, power steering pump, suspension parts, clutch, crank pulley, antifreeze reservoir. These have a very good chance of failing: head gasket, supercharger (gear oil anyway) ac compressor (coil) In salt states add things like parking brake cables and steering shaft u-joint.
Are you going to prevent all these things from failing by replacing them before they go?
I wish I had... I may have been able to enjoy my Mini more. The fact that things wear out over time is the reason to go ahead and replace them. Otherwise your Mini could be on sidelines while you're forced drive something else. Most repair projects can be done over a weekend. It sucks spending money on parts that haven't failed yet, but not replacing my crank pulley before it destroyed itself about costed me my Mini and forced me to buy something new... Like I have money to spend on a new ride right now.
These care are not spring chickens anymore yet the same tired line of buy an 05-06 comes up. They're all pretty old cars at this point and a lot of gaskets and o-rings did not age like wine. It would not matter if you bought one with low miles. This is not like finding Grandma's low mile beige Camry in the garage, which would be leak free.
MINI's love to leak oil!
You need to take stock before buying:
Do you like to drink a lot?
Does the idea of smoking a bowl to settle your nerves sound like fun.
Have you ever suffered from mechanic's rage?
Are you willing have ESC Tuning on speed dial for oil pan gaskets and other sundries? ( I think oil pan gaskets are now sold in bulk packs of ten along with CPS o-rings.)
Have ever seen parts back ordered for 30 days or more?
Have you ever broke an oil filter housing that costs a few hundred because of a .10 cent part that is not sold seperately? With a MINI there's always that chance.
Not my experience at all. I've daily driven an 06 R53 for 9 years. I have replaced the thermostat housing and the harmonic damper. That's it other than routine maintenance (filters, fluids, consumables). I have actually had much more trouble with the 08 R55. With cars of this age most reliability problems will be fairly well established by now. My advice would be to find a low mileage, one owner car with very few mods and good maintenance history. Even then I would get a pre purchase inspection and plan on spend some money up front to address any common areas of concern (strut towers, thermostat, etc).
KBB value on my car for my location is approx $6500. Excellent condition with less than 73,000 miles and well optioned from the factory.
So I went and look at this today, the airbag light came one while I was driving it. The owner is taking it to MINI tomorrow to have it checked out. If all goes well, I think I'll buy it... 2005 MCS with Chrono Package, LSD, 87k miles, one owner with service records.
Not my experience at all. I've daily driven an 06 R53 for 9 years. I have replaced the thermostat housing and the harmonic damper. That's it other than routine maintenance (filters, fluids, consumables). I have actually had much more trouble with the 08 R55. With cars of this age most reliability problems will be fairly well established by now. My advice would be to find a low mileage, one owner car with very few mods and good maintenance history. Even then I would get a pre purchase inspection and plan on spend some money up front to address any common areas of concern (strut towers, thermostat, etc). KBB value on my car for my location is approx $6500. Excellent condition with
You'll have to excuse nice feet he's having some bad luck and taking it badly.
Thanks all, I'm really looking forward to picking this up Saturday... I just hope this hurricane doesn't screw with my plans! I'm 41 y/o and feel like a kid waiting on Christmas! :D
You'll have to excuse nice feet he's having some bad luck and taking it badly.
The headache aka MINI is under preperations to be sold. I'm pretty torn about it because I love the car, but the trade offs are just not worth it. I waiting my package from ECS and a stock header and down the road she'll go.
It's pretty sad when I look at a friend's 250k mile Tacoma that's as old as my MINI and the damn thing is bone dry.
Originally Posted by dongood
The R53 is a highly tuned athlete, and like all athletes they must be regularly maintained.
I wonder if you meant advanced age geriatric patient? Mine has been a never-ending series of leaks and creaks.
You got a good one. Don't worry about all of the doom and gloom. There will be some leaks and maintenances, but you'll still be spending less than a new car payment. Look to your friendly neighborhood tuning parts company for your parts needs!
Are you willing have ECS Tuning on speed dial for oil pan gaskets and other sundries? ( I think oil pan gaskets are now sold in bulk packs of ten along with CPS o-rings.)
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