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I've been unsuccessful to far in finding a maintenance schedule for my MINI. It's a 2006 with 56,000 miles. I recently purchased, so I'm thinking about flushing all fluids (manual transmission, coolant, brake fluid). I'm going on the 5k schedule for oil with Castrol Edge synthetic. Any other suggestions on maintenance items?
The "book" calls for an oil change every 15,000 miles...most do half that or less....I found 7500 was fine, others do 5000 or immediately after a track day...at least one change a year....
An inspection #1 every 30,000 miles, and a inspection #2 evey 60,000 miles, plus time limited items like brake fluid flush and coolant changes every 36-48 months....
On a low mile car, i'd do an inspection #2, then do an inspection #1 two years later, than 2 years later again a #2.....oil changes as needed....
When i got my 2006 MCS with only 31,000 miles at the time this past Feb ...I changed the oil and filter in April and over the summer i changed the Coolant and Brake fluid plus i did The spark plugs and air filter ..oh and i also changed my Cabin Filter ...and just Yesterday i changed my oil and Filter again after 7,500 miles with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic oil... car is now at 40,220 miles ... When car hits 60,000 miles i will change the Serpentine Belt according to the Maintenance Schedule and i am thinking of changing out my Manual Trans fluid and the Differential Fluid ..since my Mini has the LSD Option....I am planning to keep it for a while so want it to be in tip top shape ..
Thanks for the replies! Since it's coming up on 60,000, I'll be doing the serpentine as well. I figured that since I'm replacing the belt anyway, I'll probably do a reduction pulley at the same time. Also, since the brakes will be needing new pads, I might as well do the R56 / JCW upgrade. It's fun seeing what upgrades I can get through a normal maintenance
I didn't realize that coolant was recommended every 36 - 48 months. Really good to know.
@minisman how did you know that yours has the LSD option? I'm assuming mine doesn't, but I'd love to know. Is the transmission fluid suggested at 60,000?
Go too bmwarchive.org and punch in the last 7 digits of your Vin# and as you scroll down the options ...there is an option called "Sperrdifferential" which is German for LSD ...If its listed ..your car has it ...check it out ....
Originally Posted by elightbo
Thanks for the replies! Since it's coming up on 60,000, I'll be doing the serpentine as well. I figured that since I'm replacing the belt anyway, I'll probably do a reduction pulley at the same time. Also, since the brakes will be needing new pads, I might as well do the R56 / JCW upgrade. It's fun seeing what upgrades I can get through a normal maintenance
I didn't realize that coolant was recommended every 36 - 48 months. Really good to know.
@minisman how did you know that yours has the LSD option? I'm assuming mine doesn't, but I'd love to know. Is the transmission fluid suggested at 60,000?
Bummer, looks like mine doesn't have it. Thanks for the info, though!
Originally Posted by MiniSMan
Go too bmwarchive.org and punch in the last 7 digits of your Vin# and as you scroll down the options ...there is an option called "Sperrdifferential" which is German for LSD ...If its listed ..your car has it ...check it out ....
In our tech articles here we also call out when you should check/change the basics and essentials.
Sorry if this isn't completely related, but I went to jack up the new-to-me MINI the other day, and I noticed one of my jack points was missing. Is that something that should be purchased, or is a block of good on top of the jack stand good enough? Also thanks for the article link!
Awesome, I'll be picking one of those up. Thinking that I'll need to pick up 4 jack pads since I'm pretty sure I'm putting the car up on stands for the winter.
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
You can do the long block method , but i would get the jack point block replaced so you can floor jack it if you need to. 51717039760
Awesome, I'll be picking one of those up. Thinking that I'll need to pick up 4 jack pads since I'm pretty sure I'm putting the car up on stands for the winter.
Sorry if this isn't completely related, but I went to jack up the new-to-me MINI the other day, and I noticed one of my jack points was missing. Is that something that should be purchased, or is a block of good on top of the jack stand good enough? Also thanks for the article link!
You're welcome. The jack pads can be purchased here 51717039760. We have a jacking up your MINI DIY here that can help you with the process and gives some good pointers. Let me know if you need anything else.
Thanks for the replies! Since it's coming up on 60,000, I'll be doing the serpentine as well. I figured that since I'm replacing the belt anyway, I'll probably do a reduction pulley at the same time. Also, since the brakes will be needing new pads, I might as well do the R56 / JCW upgrade. It's fun seeing what upgrades I can get through a normal maintenance
I didn't realize that coolant was recommended every 36 - 48 months. Really good to know.
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Once you do the pulley, most do a new belt every 12-24 months...the smaller pulley/smaller diameter and the slightly lighter aftermarket belts compared to the OEM conti-tec belts seem to need to be done more...you DO NEED a shorter belt to go with the new pulley...but they typically cost $20-25 at the local auto parts store, and the install only takes 15 minutes....the belts used on a MINI with a pulley reduction are VERY common on other makes....so easy to buy.
As for the coolant...yeah...IT IS THE MOST OVERLOOKED item on these cars...
the CAST-IRON block need a bit more care than a aluminum one...and since coolants are formulated for newer style aluminum heads/blocks, folks ASSUME it is good for 10 years....many folks have rust block their heater cores...then realize the block is FILLED with rust.....
I would suggest the BMW/MINI coolant...it is blue, and is actually a pretty good deal $$ wise....pick up a gallon, and a jug of distilled water...and you are good...was actually cheaper than some non-spec stuff that did not meet the OEM specs...
Lots of excellent info. I had no idea the belt changes needed to be increased that much with the reduction pulley, but that totally makes sense. I remember thinking how weird / awesome it was that our engines have a cast iron block when I first read about it. What a bizarre engine. 1.6 liter straight 4 with a cast black, and a supercharger. Love it. I'll be flushing the coolant next weekend. How often would you suggest changing it? Thanks for the info!
Originally Posted by ZippyNH
Once you do the pulley, most do a new belt every 12-24 months...the smaller pulley/smaller diameter and the slightly lighter aftermarket belts compared to the OEM conti-tec belts seem to need to be done more...you DO NEED a shorter belt to go with the new pulley...but they typically cost $20-25 at the local auto parts store, and the install only takes 15 minutes....the belts used on a MINI with a pulley reduction are VERY common on other makes....so easy to buy.
As for the coolant...yeah...IT IS THE MOST OVERLOOKED item on these cars...
the CAST-IRON block need a bit more care than a aluminum one...and since coolants are formulated for newer style aluminum heads/blocks, folks ASSUME it is good for 10 years....many folks have rust block their heater cores...then realize the block is FILLED with rust.....
I would suggest the BMW/MINI coolant...it is blue, and is actually a pretty good deal $$ wise....pick up a gallon, and a jug of distilled water...and you are good...was actually cheaper than some non-spec stuff that did not meet the OEM specs...
+1 for Zippy pointing out the cooling system as he is right, it is overlooked unfortunately. In general, it's recommended that you flush and clean out your cooling system once every 36 months, or approximately every three years. I like to perform this task on my own cars about once a year, or if I let it slip, once every two years. The reason for this is that old, exhausted coolant can actually cause irreversible damage to your engine components: We here at Pelican found this out firsthand when the head gasket on our '93 BMW 325is was replaced. The previous owner didn't look like he had changed the fluid once in the past ten years. As a result, there were many parts of the engine that were corroded and showing severe signs of wear. All of this including a good write up about Electrolysis can be read in our article here.
Now you've got me a bit nervous. The previous owner had only done the scheduled MINI maintenance, only brining it to the dealership. There are only 56,000 miles, however. I'm doubting they flushed the coolant system. When I flush it, should I be checking anything specifically? This thread is great, btw, and really appreciate all the comments. Hope this helps someone else as well.
Originally Posted by PelicanParts.com
+1 for Zippy pointing out the cooling system as he is right, it is overlooked unfortunately. In general, it's recommended that you flush and clean out your cooling system once every 36 months, or approximately every three years. I like to perform this task on my own cars about once a year, or if I let it slip, once every two years. The reason for this is that old, exhausted coolant can actually cause irreversible damage to your engine components: We here at Pelican found this out firsthand when the head gasket on our '93 BMW 325is was replaced. The previous owner didn't look like he had changed the fluid once in the past ten years. As a result, there were many parts of the engine that were corroded and showing severe signs of wear. All of this including a good write up about Electrolysis can be read in our article here.
Now you've got me a bit nervous. The previous owner had only done the scheduled MINI maintenance, only brining it to the dealership. There are only 56,000 miles, however. I'm doubting they flushed the coolant system. When I flush it, should I be checking anything specifically? This thread is great, btw, and really appreciate all the comments. Hope this helps someone else as well.
Don't be nervous, that is why we are all here to help with your maintenance needs. Zippy has a lot of great knowledge about MINI's and always provides some great input that may be overlooked. In that article we go over how to test for electrolysis. Think it's about the 6th paragraph down. Along with the coolant change DIY there is a great thread on NAM here for the flush and talk about the vacuum method. Don't forget, noted in our article as well, about the 14mm drain plug to help get the remaining coolant from the system. Be sure to use MINI coolant 82-14-0-031-133.
Now you've got me a bit nervous. The previous owner had only done the scheduled MINI maintenance, only brining it to the dealership. There are only 56,000 miles, however. I'm doubting they flushed the coolant system. When I flush it, should I be checking anything specifically? This thread is great, btw, and really appreciate all the comments. Hope this helps someone else as well.
