Hey guys,
Other than getting your oil changes and regular fluid replenishment, are there any other preventative measures I can take to make sure that over the next 5 years or so, I avoid any expensive (greater than 1,000 USD) repairs? Any advice on what you've learned or experienced is welcome!

 

Actually, no.. Other than periodic inspections, more frequent fluid changes than the factory recommended intervals is your best bet.

Engine oil and filter every 7500 miles
Trans fluid every 30K... Should keep things working well for a much longer time.

 

Don't ride the clutch.

Only thing I plan to do is an extra oil change in between each of the included maintenance. I also plan to keep a more diligent eye on the oil level as this MINI is not leased.

 

I know this is a n00b question, but does this apply to automatic and steptronic?

 

Nope, if you have the auto box, you don't have a clutch and have a torque converter. I don't think you have to worry about it.

 

According to the Bentley manual, the auto transmission fluid should be changed at 100,000 miles.

Dave

 

hah arghhhh i have so much learning to do. i have seriously started thinking about going to trade school/classes for becoming more knowledgeable about the mechanics of a MINI. Other than reading forums and manuals, is there anything else you do?

 

Very useful thank you!

 

Yes...see below....

Buy the Bentley manual off of Amazon....cheaper there. I plan to get one very soon.

 

Getting a Bentley Manual is a very good suggestion. I also own a "Justa" (Non-S) is how most people on NAM (North American Motoring.com) refer to our MINIs. Each person will have his/her own schedule on Maintenance, I follow a 6mo. schedule, in other words Molly is seen by the Dealer every 6mo. I usually do my "Mods" on this interval as well...let's me save up for what I want and gives me time to appreciate the ones I've already had installed.

As for any other Maintenance Schedule your MINI has an OBC "On Board Computer" learn to use that and take notes of what Services the system is telling you you will need and at what mileage. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the Ride!!

 

A Bently manual's a pretty pricy piece of literature if you just want to learn a bit about how cars work. From that standpoint there's really not much unique about a MINI. I'd think you'd be able to find all you need by just Googling things like "automobile drivetrain", "how cars work" etc.

 

I would agree... the basics can be found on the Internet or local library. But it is refreshing to see a new owner so interested in how their car works... instead of just getting in and going from point A to B like so many people I know.

I do have the Bentley manual on my 'Christmas list' though...

 

Actually, I think that the Bentley manual is a pretty poor choice for learning how the parts of the MINI work. It can tell you how to remove the transmission, for example, but there is nothing on how the transmission works. And most of the other systems are similar to that. It looks a bit more detailed on the electrical side, but I haven't read much of that part of the manual yet.

For really basic things, digging around in http://www.howstuffworks.com can be quite helpful. It can tell you, for instance, how a transmission or a clutch actually works. And quite a lot more.

...That reminds me, I was going to search for a diagram of the power flow through the MINI's transmission, since the Bentley doesn't cover anything inside the trans...

 

Ah yeah I definitely want to learn more about the functions,concepts and applications of the system that makes up the MINI. For its price, I don't think the Bentley manual will be as useful as I'd like it to be. I'll check out howstuffworks, but I guess I am kind of looking for more an academic approach on the car. Lots of information ITT tho, thanks everyone

 

A relatively traditional way to start is to get a manual on "small engines", and then go to yard sales and pick up a couple of old tired lawn mowers or similar gasoline-powered equipment. Take those apart and refurbish them the best you can. The ones that work better, you can probably sell for a bit more than you paid for them.

I started on air-cooled VWs. They are much simpler than any modern car, but they are still cars. (OK, just barely in some ways, but still!) The "Idiot Book" by John Muir was a great way to learn about those. And when I started, ACVWs were still pretty cheap. The "Idiot Book" breaks things down to step-by-step-by-step, and explains a lot of the principles as well. It may be worth a read for those alone; I'm not sure.

I remember there being similar "Idiot Books" for other cars as well. There was a Honda one I saw once, but I don't remember how much basic explanation it got into. But it might be worth checking to see if there is one available for any older car you (or your friends/family?) own.

Also, local "gear head" friends are great ways to learn. My first engine drop came as a result of my posting to a mailing list (for the one specific type of car I had) that I had a pair of hands and wanted to help. Someone local was dropping his engine, so I took a weekend and helped him do it.

I hope this helps.

 

The Bentley books assume that you know the basics of how the different systems work. It's main purpose is to show you how to take it apart and put it back together for repairs, as all cars have their own idiosyncrasies in the way they are assembled.

Dave