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Flew into LA on Saturday and drove home our new to us 2008 R52S back to Colorado! 1100 miles in 30hrs and not a single issue. Had top down most of the way going between 90-110 through most of Utah. Only averaged 22 mpg with top down and the high speeds. With top up and staying between 70-80, saw around 30.
2008 Lightning Blue M6 with 53k miles This is the most fun car I've owned to date and I've had some fast ones. Can't wait to mod it and make it our own!
Has a few clear coat scratches I need to buff out but other than that she's about perfect for a 10 year old car. The HIDs seem like they are high the street signs reflect big time and the cut off just seems way up there I'm pretty sure I've seen them self level but need to make sure both are doing it.
Also wish I could open top with key by holding unlock on fob but might be disabled in the programming only a dealer can touch? Strange we can't make these settings through a menu on the car.
Congrats, that must have been LOUD at 110 mph with top down. Look for a factory wind deflector either gen 1 or gen 2 will work. Best thing going for a cabrio.
Thanx! What are people doing to change the running lights to LED? I'm able to remove the turn signal bulb, but can't figure how to remove the running bulb
+1 on the wind deflector. Also a little gizmo you'll want to add is a one of these: http://www.lightinsight.com/
Way Motor Works carries them as well. It keeps you from looking like a dork when leaning way over to see the overhead traffic light.
Ask your question about lights on the R50/r53 Hatch Talk forum because it gets more traffic. The r52 forum doesn't get much activity and it;s mostly about top issues.
Welcome to the forum and MINI ownership. You have already driven yours 5 times as far as I have driven mine that I bought in November. I was so frustrated at not driving it that I took it out with the top down Sunday in a snow shower and 33 degrees.
The top goes down on mine when I hold the unlock button on the remote. It takes forever to get started. I may have to press it twice to get it to work. It was so frustrating I only tried twice. It may also depend on the charge on the battery.
Someone asked me if I'd had the top up the day before. Surprised the heck out of me, I responded: "What? It goes up?"
Only 4 things will call for running up the head.
1. It is raining
2. It is snowing
3. My co-pilot is whinging loudly about being too hot or too cold and I can't hear the SC.
4. A group of drunks are throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
Thanx! What are people doing to change the running lights to LED? I'm able to remove the turn signal bulb, but can't figure how to remove the running bulb
To change to LED, you have to find a system that includes a load resistor - as there is now alot less of a load on the line. Just adding LED's will cause issues that you won't like.
I'm not sure if there is a plug and play package for the entire vehicle - it would be nice if there was though.
Welcome. We put LEDs in the marker lights on mine. No bulb out error as the early MINIs did not have that, they one flicker on start up as the LKM is doing its bulb check thing like normal, then you are good to go. Matches the xenon really well.
Thanx! Just ordered, along with the sport stubby antenna! It has begun.
Need license plate LED lights, but can't pull the trigger for $50 :/ Hoping some $10 amazon ones do the trick.
I'm going to post a video of my Xenons self leveling and want to make sure it looks normal. They still seem to aim high. Maybe I need to manually adjust the height with a screw driver?
If you don't have maintenance records, it might be prudent to change out all the fluids including the transmission. That effort will extend the life of a MINI.
Going to tackle that stuff over the next few months before I install the 17% pulley in the summer. Need more power!
The seat belt warning light comes on randomly it seems. Airbag light is fine I think, but maybe it's the sensor under the seat I've read about? Might need to see if the extended warranty will cover it or if I need to program the light to remain off with NCS Expert. Could a BMW dealer do the warranty work? I'd have to go to Denver for a MINI dealer. Looks like I need NCS Expert anyways to enable the cool stuff.
Airbag light is fine I think, but maybe it's the sensor under the seat I've read about? Might need to see if the extended warranty will cover it or if I need to program the light to remain off with NCS Expert. Could a BMW dealer do the warranty work? I'd have to go to Denver for a MINI dealer.
There is a factory recall on the passenger seat air bag sensor. Recall campaign No. 15V-205 / M650215 seat mat OC3
Contact Schomp, they'll take good care of you.
Thanx! Does the seatbelt light come on and remain on, even when both seatbelts are buckled? I'll have to pay attenttion to the airbag light up by the 'vert buttons.
Well, Schomp said the recall was done in January back in California. Hmm.
I had it done 500 miles East of you on 12 April of '16. The date of the recall was, I believe June of '15. I don't know why it wouldn't still be honored. I'm including a copy of the back page of the recall notice. Hope it helps. If you need more I'll be glad to forward it on.
Welcome. We put LEDs in the marker lights on mine. No bulb out error as the early MINIs did not have that, they one flicker on start up as the LKM is doing its bulb check thing like normal, then you are good to go. Matches the xenon really well.
ECS, do you guys have a LED conversion kit - for all the markers, blinkers, license plate and interior lights?
You really should search the ECS website, you might just find some other stuff you'd like. There's a chance they'll never come back to this thread and it is actually a thread hijack.
Here are most of the R52 upgrades: Main interior kit, then License plate, reverse lights, you have the markers up front. Also, the install PDF is linked to the main Master kit page for the interior. I have these on my r52.
Main interior kit, then License plate, reverse lights:
You have the side turn signals in clear so you will need the non led chrome side turn signal bulbs, they flash orange and get rid of that orange dot egg yolk look. They are non LED.
On my 2008 R52 doors locked, I hit unlock then unlock again and hold down for the top to drop. Other way is key in door, unlock then unlock again and hold. Opposite to put everything up.
