Hey everyone! So I needed a second car to supplement my Lexus LS430 (which has been a tank) and wanted something that was completely different. Having owned a E90 335i, I never thought I would purchase a BMW Group product again, but alas I'm now the proud owner of a 2008 Mini Cooper S with the Auto with 113k miles . I originally wanted a r53 as I heard they where more reliable than the early R56, but the r53 I was looking at was only about $1600 (with less miles than the r56) and needed at least $1500 in repairs. (bushings, supercharger rebuild, some leaks, serpentine/tensioner, perhaps clutch soon as it was original). After running a carfax on my car It had about 15 service records so I could tell it was well maintained and the owner informed me he purchased the extended maintenance as well did more on his own at various shops.

It has the following options:
- automatic transmission (im fine with, but wanted manual)
-premium package
-sport package
-cold weather package
-lounge seating
-hi fi stereo
-HD radio/satellite radio life time subscription
-center armrest
-comfort access
-aftermarket MOMO rims w/hankook s1 run flats

The car runs great, and starts right up so with no smoke out of the exhaust so the fuel pump seems to be working properly. No bushings seem to be worn on anything in the suspensions. The valve cover was changed about 20k miles ago and no timing chain rattle or noise. My hatch was rattling and some duct tape fixed that.

The only thing I'm not sure about is the carbon build up issue. It seems to have good power, but not like the 2013 countryman S (15k miles) my GF used to have, but that was the updated motor with 9 more hp. I know of it since the n54 has the same issue, though I never performed the walnut shell blasting. I have purchased a bottle of Seafoam and BG 44k, but I am curious if anyone would recommend what order I should use them? I have also seen videos of people putting the Seafoam in the oil and gas tank as well, and others just into the vacuum line and thats it. I know the Seafoam cannot compare to actual detail cleaning of the valves, but It cant hurt right?

Lastly does anyone have any recommendations on preventive maintenance I should look into around this mileage? (water pump, thermostat/housing) or any recommendations for a new owner? My girlfriend has a justa so hers has been perfect so far lol

Thanks in advance and thanks for those who read all of this!

 

I had a E92 335i and the HPFP got the best of me. Ended up lemoning and got the MINI back in '10.

Not sure what things were done already to the MINI but at 113k I'd check the belt for any tears, check plugs, unscrew the one screw holding the coolant tank and look underneath to ensure there isn't a crack. Mine did around 60k miles. Most of the checks I'd do are all fluid based really.

As far as walnut shell blasting, I'd say get it done every 40/50k miles. I'm a stickler for details, so I get mine done every 30k.

 

You can take the key fob to the dealer and they should be able to tell you (in detail) any maintenance that has been done. Carbon cleaning should be done, and you should also have new plugs every 50k miles.

I would look closely for leaks around the engine. The thermostat housing will leak on top of the transmission housing (under the air intake tube on the driver side of the engine bay). A slow leak might not make it to the ground, since the top of the tranny has a deep ribbing pattern. Take a flashlight and see if there is any wetness or blue staining.

The water pump is located on the passenger side of the engine, right behind the frame rail. A leak here will normally make it to the ground. The original water pump housing is plastic, if you see a metal housing it has been replaced.

Any leaking onto the front of the engine (and possibly onto the exhaust where it goes under the engine) is likely a leak at the oil filter housing. The housing has molded gaskets that tend to fail after a number of years.

The turbo has an oil line that feeds the bearings. The oil line can develop a leak where it transitions from a flexible line to the fitting near the turbo. If your turbo oil line has a small heat shield on it (protecting the area where the line is attached to the turbo housing), then it has been in for a recall and some service within the past year.

Your transmission should have its fluid changed and pan cleaned. BMW says that this is a lifetime transmission fluid, but......

Also, check to see if the battery has been replaced. 6 years is a good, long life for the original battery. I've read that the car will have odd electronic problems when the battery starts to die.

Each of these items has discussions in various threads on this site.

Sorry if this sounds like a lot, but this is all stuff that I've had to do on my 08 MCS with 94k on it. The cars are quite fun, but you need to make sure that the maintenance is up to spec.

Have fun,
Mike

 

That's a fantastic post, mbwicz! Spot on for my '07 MCS as well.

 

I never had a failure of my HPFP surprisingly! I think I had the 993 and then they updated it to the 446 model number if I remember. I did have injector issues, ac evaporator went, had to tear apart the dash to fix, covered by the extended warranty. The new owner claimed the serpentine belt was on its last leg since 07-08 have a bad subframe design which shears the belt under hard driving or potholes. Bmw fixed it on the LCI's but won't fix previous years.

Thanks for the info!


Thank you so much for such a detailed post. I will check for thermostat housing and water pump for leaks!

As far as the transmission service, I could have sworn I read in the manual that it must be changed at 80k or 100k right above the oxygen sensor at 120k? I know the fluid must be heated to be pumped back in and I'd rather have a shop do this. I wish MODMINI on youtube had a video of this procedure, his thermostat one is amazing, well all of them are actually. Does anyone have any affordable indy shops in socal that can help me with this service (motoring magic sounds affordable in thousand oaks, but thats almost 2 hrs away from me)

After almost a week with it, I do notice a slight stutter when its cold, nothing major like the car is going to turn off or something. It fires right up with no hesitation, or while im driving. I'm hoping a bottle of BG 44k will help with this!

Spark plugs were changed in February along with brakes and tires. timing belt at 90k along with valve cover!

Thanks again everyone!