Just traded my Coupe for a Roadster S. Found a 2013 with fewer than 22K miles on it. For some reason, the (non-MINI) dealer even put new tires on it.

Turns out it was apparently a dealer demo for its first 5K miles, then was sold in SF in early 2104. That owner drove it for just 17k miles over 2 years. Unfortunately, that also means that I'll hit the 3 years before the 36K miles because the put-in-service date was May 2013. I'm thinking of buying one of the extended service options, but I'm not sure if it is worth it.

Had it in the dealer shop last Saturday for work. Maintenance light claimed I needed oil change, w/ brakes recommended. Turns out the software that said I needed brakes needs to be updated, that the measurement on both front and rear are more than half of new.

Shop tech also said that I should expect to burn a quart of oil over 1.5K miles or so. That sounds...excessive. Is it?

The car feels a bit skittish, typically when I brake or take turns, especially if the turns are bumpy. The MINI dealer didn't find anything. It that just because I'm not used to driving with 17-inch tires? (My Coupe had 15-inchers.) Are the handling characteristics that much different? For example, on rough roads, like where they are doing construction, the car tends to skitter a bit and I have to exert a bit more control on the steering wheel to keep it steady and straight.

So far, been just over 30 MPG. Still getting used to the power that this car has when I step on the gas.

I read through the owner's manual once quickly. It seems premium gas is still "recommended," not "required." (I have to double-check this again though.) With my Coupe, I alternated to create a mid-grade mix that seemed to work fine. Will that approach be OK with the S?

Anything else I shoudl be paying attention to now that I have a turbocharged engine?

Loving top-down driving. Doing it every chance I get. This is real California driving.

 

Factory warranty should be 4 years/50K miles, yes?

You should be good until May 2017.

(Someone correct me if I'm wrong)

 

For warranty, yes, but not for 3 years/36K miles complimentary service.

 

Ours has around similar mileage and doesn't burn any oil at all. I don't know that's a true statement unless it's something they know of specific to your specific car.

Wether it's a waist or not is debatable, but for the smaller amount of difference in gas cost (just looking at the difference) I always prefer using premium gas when it is recommended, especially if you intend to keep it for the long run. It helps the engine not getting as much carbon deposits. It will still get some like every car does. Also using regular doesn't always help. Some cars consume a little more gas with regular then premium. It's our first MINI so I don't know if that's the case at all with these engines.

And yes tires can give a very different feel to a car. 15" to 17" wheel is a significant jump on these smallish tire size. Not even talking about run flats or not, or the type of tires you're driving with, on uneven pavement, during sharper turns, taller side walls do help the tire to comply. On good, smoother, pavement it should be the opposite where stiffer side wall help the tire stick more to the road. With all the parameters though, it's not easy to tell if you're not an expert. I'm not an expert and I can only understand the differences with the tires I used. It does help I use true summer (17") and all season (16") tires.

 

Oh and I forgot to add... it is always a very good habit to let the turbo warm up for 30 seconds or so.
I usually turn the car on first, then while the engine warms up, I settle myself, put on sunglasses, open the top, etc... This will go a long way in insuring the long life of the turbo. These things gets super hot. It helps the bearings to get to temperature more slowly before punching it

 

My 2014 burnt 1/4 quart during break in. None since. Currently at 13.8k. Oil changed twice. I thought the oil consumption problem went away in 2011 with the engine upgrade.

My handling was transformed from uncertain to fantastic when I replaced the 16" ContiProContract runflats with Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3.

 

Ah - gotcha. For some reason I thought you were referring to the warranty.

Carry on!

 

I always associate oil burning with car aging (such as past the 30-50k miles mark). Usually it is when parts wear and oil is able to seep often in the cylinders and why we call it oil burnt. It can also be the turbo lubrication on some cars. But otherwise I'm surprised about your experience. Honestly when we looked in buying the MINI I was a little concerned. But in our case it has just been reliable thus far, with no fluid loss. I wonder why the inconsistency?

 

Proper break-in allows the rings to seat (wear-in) properly. My 1971 BMW 1600 went 110k without using oil.

 

Even Toyota, Subaru, etc say 1 qt of oil every 1k miles is normal. I feel like so many vehicle brands say this and that it's 'normal.' If it really is, probably not, but it happens. Keep an eye on your oil and keep up on the 5k oil change interval. Personally, on my turbocharged vehicles I'll always run 91/93. Congratulations by the way! Would love to see some pictures.

 

Congrats, just change the oil every 5,000-7,500 miles and you will be fine.

Have a Coupe, love the roadster. Use 91 or higher.

 

From the manual:

Recommended fuel quality

The manufacturer of your MINI recommends AKI 91

Minimum fuel grade

The manufacturer of your MINI recommends AKI 89

Probably going to fuel up tonight at Costco. Will have to double-check the octane ratings at the pumps there.

 

Yea, i just run 93 in all my MINIs, the difference in cost is not that much. I have a R52 with 261K + miles and thats all its had. Unless 91 is rare in your area. If you drive in a area with lower fule grades , just get some octane booster and add it you have to run below 89.

 

In MA we often have 87, 89 and 93 at the pump. Occasionally there's 91 as well. There's almost always 93. My S gets 93, occasionally 91 in the rare cases where there's no 93, but my wife's Clubman non-S usually gets the 89 unless I have a lot of grocery store points and then it gets the 93 for a treat.