Hello all!

I'm a new owner of a '08 Clubman S, automatic, Pepper White, with 60,000 on the clock. I moved to this car from a '95 525i with 262,000 miles so needless to say this is a welcome replacement.

This is my first FI car so I will have a bit to learn about how a turbo system works. I've been on the periphery and recognize the terms but I don't quite understand it all yet.

Overall, I'm very happy with it. I've done a bit of research and it appears I do need to keep an eye on the following:

• Timing chain & tensioners
• Strut mounts (or is this just a 1st gen issue?)
• Oil leaks at the turbo
• Aux water pump

I have a couple questions:

• For the items under recall (aux water pump) or service advisory (timing chain), can I still get a dealer to replace those even though I bought the car secondhand?
• I'm going to be replacing spark plugs, cabin air filter, and oil immediately. Anything else I should get done - maybe transmission flush?

Thanks guys, hopefully I'm not missing this information posted elsewhere on these forums.

 

Hit the dealer & check that the aux water pump recall has been done. Not sure about the timing chain & tensioner, but ask them.

Strut top mounts appear to be a gen 1 issue.

While you are under the hood I'd put in an engine air filter too.

I'd recommend changing the transmission fluid too.

Enjoy your new MINI. Hope I've helped a bit.

 

You can enter your VIN on the MINI USA web site and it will tell you if there are any open recalls on your car. In my case the only thing I had was the aux water pump and the turbo heat shield, both of which were done by the dealer free of charge. Nothing came up on my VIN for the T-chain tensioner so the dealer would not do it.

 

Chain tensioner and timing belts is first gen stuff, strut mounts is also first gen. Oil leak and water pump??? It can be searched easily here on NAM though. Have fun!