Just got a 2002 Mini (non-S) from an acquaintance as a daily driver to complement my weekend Z8.

At 50K miles, I am guessing that I am out of warranty. Can I get some suggestions for what should I be doing around this time for service? The manual is pretty useless by the miles. This site is great, but I can't find any specific recommendations for this mileage?

Besides oil and filter....
Air cleaner?
Tranny oil?
O2 sensor?

Thanks much!
Ted

 

Get everything that dosn't work excatly as you like looked at, after you hit 50,001 miles every fix is coming out of your pocket.

 

Jeremy,
I have about 48,700 miles on the car and it was purchased almost 5 years ago. The front bushings and maybe the ball joints (per a local shop) are bad. Are you suggesting that my Coop has a standard warranty till 50,000 miles? I thought that I was out of manufacturer's warranty.
Ted

 

From the MINIUSA website.
Q. Whaat kind of warranties do you offer?
A. At MINI, our commitment to quality, durability and customer satisfaction is clearly demonstrated by a 4-year/50,000 mile MINI Passenger Car Limited Warranty and a 12-year/unlimited-mileage warranty against rust and corrosian perforation. (Note, 12-year warranty applies to 2004 models and newer. Earlier models have a 6-year/unlimited mileage warranty against rust and corrosion perforation.)

Full details at http://miniusa.com/#/contactFaq/faq/warranties-m

Edit:
I just re-read your original post, due to your year it looks like your out. Sorry for getting your hopes up

 

Warranty is 4 years 50,000 miles. Might want to call 1-866-ASK-MINI and see what they say. When I was looking for my Mini I called on every car to see when the warranty was up and what packages were on the car. Worth the call just to chat and see what they know about the car.

 

Thanks for the follow up.

Perhaps, someone can suggest what should be done at 50K. There are probably widely recommended services and then preferences like plugs and such.

Change of these fluids?
Coolant
Tranny
Power Steering

Change of Air Filter

Any help would be appreciated. I really want to take good care of this car.
Thanks.

 

Yep... factory service ends at 3 years 36k, but the primary warranty lasts until 4 years/50k. If you're at 48k, I'd start making a list of anything warranty related & make an appointment to have it taken care of.

As for regular maintenance at 50k... O2 sensor should be OK. Usually replace that if/when it fails. Transmission fluid- are you driving manual or auto? In either case, I would think 50k miles is a little early, but not by much, for a fluid change. Especially for a manual tranny- more like 75k, I would think.

I would check for service records on the car & see if the belts & hoses have ever been changed. 5 years is a good long life for belts & hoses. If they're original, I'd swap out belts & hoses & use that opportunity to flush & fill the coolant, too.

 

But he has a 2002, so out of the 4 year period even if the miles are below the limit

 

D'oh! Good point.

 

Get the VIN# and register on the MINIUSA website, sometimes you can find prior service records on the car (if the dealer or Prior owner(s) input them) This will also allow them to update your information and let you know about addtl warranty info...
(The airbag light malfunction warranty has been extended to 10 year, 150,000 miles)...
Oh BTW enjoy your new Coop....

 

Thanks for the well wishes and advice. I'm already enjoying the company.

Funny things. When I bought my Coop, I had a pre-purchase inspection done at DAI, a shop nearby highly recommended on the forum:

Jack, there, tells me that my front control arm bushings and ball joints are bad and that it will cost $620 to take care of that (with an alignment).


I take the car for a second opinion to Clark's House of Suspension, also recommended here:

Clark, there, puts the car up and checks it out today and says that there is nothing wrong with either the ball joints or the bushings. He confirms that by stating, "If the front bushings were bad, the tires would be worn on the inside."

Go figure. What's a new Cooper owner to do?

 

Whenever I buy a new (used) car, I change as much as I can for good measure. That usually includes:

- Oil & filter
- Transmission fluid
- Brake fluid, check pads/rotors for wear
- air filter
- fuel filter
- spark plugs (if easily done)
- set tire pressure on all 4
- alignment
- check wheel bearings/U-joints for play

Depending on the vehicle and on how much you are able to do yourself, you'll have as close to (mechanically speaking) a new car experience as possible, and you should only be out a few hundred buckaroos.

 

this may be a dumb question but i've got a model year 2003 with under 50,000 miles on it. am i out of warranty contention because its currently the year 2007? or am I good til the clock strikes 2008?

 

call 866-ask-mini with your vin, they can tell you the date of service and whether it's still under warranty. you'd be in luck if the warranty started after apr '03.

you might get some idea based on the build date-should be stamped near your vin on one of the stickers.

 

The warranty expires 4 years from date of original purchase or after 50K, whichever occurs first.

 

thanks for the input, i'll call MINI today.

 

If your ride is an automatic, DEFINATELY get the trans fluid flushed. Thats a hefty out of pocket expense, but sure beats paying for a $6000 transmission and 12 hours of labor...OUCH!!!! The plugs could use a swap, and change the engine belt, your alternator and battery will thank you. -This is including the oil change that you recommended.--