Well, I finally did it yesterday.... completed my 'very late mid-life crisis' car purchase... picked up a 2013 Mini 'S' R56 with @ 14,000 miles, 6 speed, leather, red w/ black top.

OMG... It's exactly everything I hoped it would be. This vehicle gives me a tingle all over, which as a 66 year-old, I really appreciate.

I had concerns yesterday... Getting used to a 6 speed manual again...have not done that since @ 1974 when I had my '2002tii' BMW. But, I had no problems with quickly adjusting to the shifting. Actually, what surprised me were two other things... The dang thing is even faster than I expected, AND, the quickness of the steering... WOW... very tight, responsive car.

Some funny things happened on my way back home to Rhode Island from Massachusetts...
*When I got to a toll booth on the I-90, I couldn't find the way to open the window.... The young lady and I were laughing so much... had to open the door.
*Staying away from these CRAZY Massachusetts drivers on the highway, as I was convinced someone would hit me this first day...
*And then at a local RI police department where I was having done the 'VIN check' prior to going to the local DMV to get it registered. I sat in the car, with the officer leaning in with the driver side door open, both of us trying to figure out how to open the window. (He LOVED the car).

Some questions... (I'm sure I'll have many more...) With these 'run-flat' tires, if a puncture occurs, when you go to a garage does the tire get repaired, or do I need to replace the tire?

How do I get a manual for the car? (the seller, who just moved to another home) misplaced the manual in the move (it was in the house, why I don't know). He said he'll send it to me when he finds it, but I want a manual now...

* EDIT > Found the manual online at national Mini website.....

 

For sure these little things are a hoot to drive. I don't know the answer to your question about run-flats but congratulations on your purchase. I'm sure you can go on-line to any Mini dealership and order an owners manual for your car. As a second thought I'd also probably check e-bay first for a used one (salvage from a total loss).

If the car gives you a tingle at 66 you can imagine what it does for me being 80!!

 

For the runflats, the answer is "it depends". Depends on where the puncture is located, how bad it is, how far you drive, and what the particular garage's policy is on repairing runflats. Probably some other factors as well.

Be sure to post some pics!

 

Based on my experience, if you go to a MINI dealer they will replace the tire. I did find a smaller shop that will plug a run-flat tire for around $25.

If the idea of a flat-tire is a concern to you...one suggestion that I have is to invest in a cigarette lighter tire pump that you could keep in the car.

 

Welcome to MINI fun, old boy! I bought my first MINI -- also a 2013 R56S manual -- last year at the age of 59.

Although I've driven manual transmission cars since I first learned how to drive, it had been 10 years since I last owned one, so it took a couple weeks to get back into the rhythm. Like you, it also took awhile to get used to the placement of the controls, especially for the windows. However now, whenever I drive my wife's Kia Sorento I find myself reaching for the center of the dashboard, instead of the driver's door armrest, to operate the windows (and the two cars' wiper stalks work opposite of each other, which has been interesting at times).

I'm afraid that I can't answer your questions; just wanted to share a similar learning-curve experience with a fellow "post-midlifer." I will add that you're probably going to find the run-flats to be annoyingly noisy and harsh once the newness of the car wears off. I'm just waiting for mine to wear out so that I can justify replacing them with normal tires.

 

Yeah, the wipers are a bit of a PITA... If you get regular tires, then you have no spare...

The shifting > no problem... The quick steering/responsiveness what I have to adjust to, besides driving too fast...yikes.

I'm still looking for a hard copy of a manual for this car....

 

Here's the go cart...

First, I think I'll do the black over the chrome around the headlights and rears, grill border, door handles, gas cap, and a black hood scoop also.

Then I was thinking of the small 'rally' lights (is that what they're called?) on the front grill...

Next Spring @ April/May 2015, maybe some performance upgrades...
*extension on the intake manifold?
*cold air intake?
Others? ....

 

You can probably find your car's original manual on e-bay...Some people will keep anything that's not tied down and sell it separately...manuals, keys, and even spare tires (you don't have to worry about that). I find this practice really low budget on the part of the sellers.

 

Congrats on the new Mini. I, like you, just joined the ranks a little over a month ago. Picked up a 6 speed "Justa" and have had a grin plastered on my face ever since. Do you have a radar detector yet? You'll need it, especially with the "S".

 

Congrats.
These are great cars; I grin every time I start the engine. I went from a MGA to a BMW 2002 and Fiat 124 spyder to 9 passenger station wagon. Now we have 2 MINIs

As for the RFTs, the answer is - it depends. There is a great explanation on Tire Rack's FAQ. Part of it depends on the tire manufacture's recommendation. If you do ever have to have to get one repaired it needs to be both plugged and patched on the inside. The plug keeps the steel cords from rusting and the patch is to make sure the air stays in. I found this all out when I found a nail in a new snow tire. But I was thankful that I had the RFTs as it happened up in Stowe in the middle of winter. I pumped up the tire and drove around until I got home and found a place that would fix it. I do carry a small air pump just in case.

 

Thanks...

The Boss would kill me if she saw that.......................

 

You could just print off this online version of the manual. Mine didn't come with a manual either so thats what I did.

http://www.miniusa.com/content/dam/m..._all_trims.pdf

 

Thanks, yes I found that... I think the darn thing is @ 176 pages.... looking for one on eBay/Craig's List

 

Yeah its a bit ridiculous if you print it out like that. On my computer at least, theres an option to print off up to 16 pages per sheet. You could even print double sided if you want. Just thought it might be less effort than trying to source one online.

 

[QUOTE=dfwallace48;4025393]
You will find plenty of manual packs on eBay, but I would not bother buying one as there is nothing in there worth reading twice. And it's way either to search for the content in a PDF you can download from the link above.

If you take it to a non-dealer tire shop, they will patch it for you as long as you catch the puncture within a few miles of loosing air, just like you would with a non-RFT tire. If you drive on the sidewalls for more than ~10 miles, they will start disintegrating and at some point will no longer safely support the car even if the puncture is filled.

Therefore, most competent tire shops will insist on dismounting a RFT tire to assess the state of the sidewall damage before considering patching a hole. Any or much rubber shavings inside the carcass == tire is toast.

For all practical purposes, RFT tires are disposable for that reason.
Which is why most of us ditch them the first chance we get and ride on higher performing, better traction, and lower cost non-RFT tires for our MINIs.

HTH,
a

 

I may do that...thx.

 

[QUOTE=afadeev;4025411]Wow, great info there... thanks.

 

Congrats on the purchase, glad that you are having fun.

I would recommend that you pick up a set of snow tires if you will be driving in all weather. The MINI does quite well in the snow, even with low ground clearance.

It is refreshing to read a happy post, we generally get negative posts or questions on how to fix problems. Sometimes we forget why we put up with some of the quirks and maintenance issues. A MINI is fun.

One thing that is truly a pain, and something to master, is checking the oil. The dipstick is hard to read, and many owners have cars that use oil. Personally, I pull the dipstick at night and check it in the morning, when all oil is in the pan.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I noticed on 'Out Motoring' and other sites, that a different, easier to read dipstick was available, rather expensive... think it was @ $70 or so...

 

Craven dipstick is worth the money IMO. Not so much for the easier read, but more for the insurance against the stick breaking off and leaving you with a problem on how to remove it. Don't know if that is any issue with your model mini?

Anyway post up some pics, kind of wishing I had one instead of the CM, but family duties went before my desires.

 

With any new car, I would recommend driving it for a while before spending more $$. Whether you get a system to read the normal stick or buy aftermarket, check the oil frequently to learn if your car uses oil or not. There is a thread in the R56 Hatch Talk about dipsticks that is recently updated.

Have fun,
Mike

 

Congratulations, and welcome to the world of MINI's! I bought my 11 R56S used with 22k, and now have 33k, in 7 months! I didn't put that many miles on my previous daily-driver, but I find just about ANY excuse to drive my MINI! I hear you on the "going too fast" thing. It's just so easy to row through the gears at a good clip, then look at the speedo, and WOW! I saw 114 once! Was NOT trying to go THAT fast! Just be aware of maintenance. These are not Hondas or Toyotas, and require a bit more attention to upkeep. Do NOT go by whenever the car tells you it needs the oil/filter changed! Just keep your own records, and do it every 5k, for peace of mind. Use a good-quality synthetic of the proper weight, and BMW factory oil filters. They even come with a drain plug washer. I am running Mobil 1 Euro-Spec 0w40 oil. And I also changed out my manual trans fluid to Redline's MTL. When I did my first engine oil/filter change, I super-glued a neodymium magnet to the inside center of the drain plug, just to catch any metal debris. Did the same on the drain plug on the trans when I changed out to the Redline MTL. Again, just peace of mind.

I also ditched the run-flats for regular tires when they wore out. With no spare, I bought a "MINI Mobility Kit" which is a factory item that includes a 12v air compressor, a can of fix-a-flat, and a nifty pair of gloves, all in a neat little MINI zippered carrying case! I think it cost me right around $60.00. I would at least recommend a tire-plug kit, and a small 12v air compressor.

Have fun, and Motor-On!

 

On mods...intake spacer has not been proven to add any noticeable improvements from what I have seen so far. Cold air intake is good for the noise factor, adding some noise is always nice, but since the turbo superheats the air after the fact, a better performance mod seems to be a larger intercooler. But that is pricey! I had the resonator on my exhaust removed and substituted a straight pipe. The exhaust now sounds a bit more "grumbly", and the "pops and bangs" or "burbles and pops" in Sport mode are more noticeable. I did not notice any real increase in "drone" at freeway cruising speeds. These MINI's are all about mods, and making them your own personal creation. That is half the fun of a MINI!

 

The Craven dip stick makes your life easier and safer regarding proper oil level readings, I couldn't stand my stock dip stick. The Craven dip stick is worth every cent! You probably don't need to worry about it yet, but my cabin filter was filled with layers of dust, I changed it for the charcoal filter instead of the plain white one.

 

These replies are awesome. Keep them coming...