Hey guys, I recently got a new MINI and was looking for some advice on parts and accessories that you have had experiences with. I mean what parts on a MINI cooper S have you guys had problems with and needed to replace or fix that doesn't exactly pertain to long wear and tear?

For example, I was looking around parts websites and found things like silicone coolant hose replacements that are supposed to be better and longer lasting than stock as well as heat shields to prevent the hood scoop from melting!

Do you guys recommend me replace any parts anywhere on the vehicle with better ones to prevent problems down the future if any? Or is it wiser to just wait fix problems? I know MINIs are built extremely well but usually with so many parts there are always design oversights. Thank you guys for any comments and advice.

 

Unless you just love spending money on your car for no good reason, which many of us do, just wait till something needs replacing then consider the upgraded part...'cause you can spend a LOT of money on this MINI car. If you buy all the things out there for the intake track alone you could easily spend over $1000.

 

Get the extendend warranty!

 

troof.....i would say the best way to prevent problems is to not buy a MINI at all. but it's too late for that. So if you didn't already, get the extended warranty, I guarantee it will pay for itself.

 

That too. Fun car, but not worth the headaches I've already had. Wish I would have kept my Subaru.

 

OP, what year and model do you have? I would replace parts as needed and good old fashioned preventative maintenance.

Don't let these few grouches ruin your MINI experience.

 

Change your oil every 5000 miles with full synthetic like Mobil 1 or Royal Purple. BMW/MINI's recommended oil change interval of 15,000 miles is horsesH1t.

 

Check your oil level at least every 1000 miles and top off oil levels as needed.

Keeping your oil full and fresh is critical especially in a turbocharged car like the MCS since the engine oil lubricates not only the engine, but the turbo too.

 

Change your oil every 5k with the factory oil and filter. Oh and I leased mine which seems was the best choice since after this I will be going back to VW. I'm even thinking about doing a lease takeover....

MKVI Golf TDI keeps calling me....

 

Learn to do the work yourself, most of the Techs cant spell their own names.

 

Haha, good choice, I picked up a GTI after all my problems!

Like everyone else said, you'd be best off getting another car after warranty is gone or getting an extended warranty most likely...

 

I change my oil with mobile 1 every 4k miles. And the OEM filter from way motor works =]
no MINI dealers around here. And just check your fluids are topped off every oil change. I put 20k miles on my first base mini and had no problems. Sold it with 95k miles.
Put 12k on my MCS so far and no problems. Rolling over 64k

 

Yeah, I like AMS oil. I was wondering how well that 15000 mile situation was but I can see 4-5k is better for obvious reasons.

I agree, but I know for a fact problems will not arise as quickly as my previous car (77 firebird). The only thing is, working on a carb and stuff is cake compared to all these wires and gizmos.

 

If you have an R56 S, you can slow down the build up on the back of the valves by adding a catch can to you PCV system. IMHO, it is a good preventative addition.

 

Don't know which dealer your going to but modern cars require a very high understanding of computers and mechanical and electrical engineering. I have some very good friends that are factory techs for various brands and they are constantly going to week long training courses.

 

What would those obvious reasons be?

 

Yea it bothers me when people give techs a bad rap...

Most of the ones I know are quite intelligent and know their *****. They are limited to what they can do by MINI though. Everything they do is dictated by mini, so blame mini...not them.

 

I'm going to have to agree with chakraj on this one. Unfortunately I think the most other brands got all these higher IQ techs, because a lot of people including myself have had less than desirable experiences with MINI dealer techs!

My understanding is that MINI dealers have to run any major repair through BMW. They describe problems and follow BMW's instructions from there and assume the car is good to go after said repairs are done, seems pretty easy. My experiences at my local dealer were pretty bad and even the shop foreman was quick to dismiss concerns of mine early on which eventually led to my car getting lemoned! In this case it actually worked out well for me in the end, but most people likely won't be as lucky.

The factory techs on the other hand are always pretty intelligent.

 

Well I told them my valve cover was leaking and you could hear a loud vacuum leak under the hood. Either the SA lied to my face, which is probably what happened, or his "Best Tech" spent five hours looking for a vacuum leak that could plainly be heard coming from the valve cover. No mystery, as soon as I changed it the problem was fixed. SO either the SA deliberatley lied to a customer, or their tech is a dope. Neither one endered me to them. He also told me his tech told him I had an aftermarket BOV (that I have never had). When it is obviously a water/meth kit. I mean come on if you can not tell the difference between a BOV and a water injection kit them you are not that smart.

I took the car to another dealer for my next issue and they seemed better, the tech said Oh you have a water injection kit, atleast he could identify a simple set up, unlike the other dealer. Both in southern California.


I am not trying to bash dealers, I have a bunch of friends who work at dealerships, I have worked at dealerships for over 20 years, and my step father was a dealer.

 

My favorite dealer experiences were when I took them for test drives and pointed out problems. For example, it took seven attempts to fix my sunroof and it still didn't work correctly. I also had to go back a few times since they said they couldn't find any problems. After picking up the car, the invoice would usually say "could not replicate." So frustrating, but I'm glad to not have to deal with it anymore.