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MINI Cooper Care & Maintenance

282 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 6:07 PM

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#274 of 282 Re: big maintenance bill [snicker2] by shark715 Oct 21, 2009 (5:33 am)
Replying to: snicker2 (Oct 21, 2009 5:04 am) The rear brakes on your Mini are just like disc brakes on any other car. As with most front wheel drive cars, the rear brakes generally last far longer than the fronts because they have far less work to do. The rotors would need to be replaced only if they are damaged or warped, which would be fairly unusual for rear brakes unless you have been unusually hard on the brakes. Sounds like she inferred that the rotors must be replaced when the pads are, and that's simply not true unless the rotors themselves need to be replaced. The game that I've seen a lot of dealers (and unfortunately other garages) play is to tell you that you need new pads and/or rotors before they reach the point that the manufacturer says they need to be replaced. It's like asking a barber if you need a haircut. Dealers make an incredible markup selling parts and labor at retail, so they have a vested interest in trying to "sell" you as many parts and services as they can, especially expensive parts like rotors. Replies to this message: british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 6:14 am) Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:40 am) british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 2:36 pm) and 1 more...
#275 of 282 Re: big maintenance bill [shark715] by british_rover Oct 22, 2009 (6:14 am)
Replying to: shark715 (Oct 21, 2009 5:33 am) Remember that the MINI is a euro car and like most euro cars the rotors wear with the pads.   Sure sometimes you can get away with just a pad swap and not replacing the rotors but the new pads most likely will not last as long. You might be able to do that once but not twice as the rotors on most newer euro cars are too thin and too soft to turn even once. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:40 am) british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 2:36 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:20 pm)
#276 of 282 Re: big maintenance bill [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 22, 2009 (8:40 am)
Replying to: british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 6:14 am) On German cars today, you throw the rotors away if there is any discernible wear. Replies to this message: british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 2:36 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:20 pm)
#277 of 282 Re: big maintenance bill [Mr_Shiftright] by british_rover Oct 22, 2009 (2:36 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:40 am) I know I did that on my MINI but most people are cheap and think they can get away with new pads and old rotors.   Generally the new pads will last half as long, sometimes less, when matched up to the old rotors.   That is not cheap at all. Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 22, 2009 8:20 pm)
#278 of 282 Re: big maintenance bill [british_rover] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Oct 22, 2009 (8:20 pm)
Replying to: british_rover (Oct 22, 2009 2:36 pm) You know, like when you need to stop in 100 feet to avoid that flatbed truck and you stop in 102 feet instead........I spend lavishly on brakes and tires.
#279 of 282 After market exhaust system by snicker2 Nov 11, 2009 (4:40 am)
A Borla Catback exhaust system was installed on my 02 MCS before I took ownership of it and recently I discovered that the exhaust intake boot was split. The tech told me it would be best to put the factory part back on the exhaust intake, which he did. Now after reading about the exhaust system, I wonder if the aftermarket intake part, (which looks very different than the factory part), needs to be put back on and repaired. I know that originally the exhaust intake was changed for a reason. Does anyone have any knowledge regarding aftermarket exhaust systems on the MCS? Thanks!
#280 of 282 mini maintenace annual fee by epfrankyi Nov 26, 2009 (3:49 am)
hi everyone,    my girlfriend and i are thinking to buy a mini cooper. try to find a cheapest one. both of us just started to work no long ago, so we can't afford a fine one. but, there is one thing we are really concerned about the car maintenance. i heard it's VERY expensive. anyone who has the experience can give me a clue how much might the cost will be in a year. thanks a lot. reply or e-mail me both are fine. epfrankyigmail.com Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 26, 2009 7:50 am)
#281 of 282 Re: mini maintenace annual fee [epfrankyi] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 26, 2009 (7:50 am)
Replying to: epfrankyi (Nov 26, 2009 3:49 am) The cheapest one is never the cheapest one, if you know what I mean. I'd save up and get the cleanest, lowest mileage, newest MINI you can afford. I'd say 2006 on up would be best, and if I were you I'd spend $$$ to have every car you are considering, thoroughly looked over and tested before you buy it.   Any modern car is expensive to repair if it breaks (labor rates are the same for a Honda or a MINI) . The idea is to buy one that isn't going to break.   The supercharged / turbocharged models will cost more to maintain than the non-aspirated engines.   You want the N12 1.6L non-aspirated engine, not the older W10 which is Chrysler sourced from the Neon, of all things.
#282 of 282 Flat Tire Light? by leggymarxist Nov 26, 2009 (6:07 pm)
I had a flat a couple of weeks ago and replaced the two back tires. But the flat tire light remains lit on the dashboard panel. Anybody know how to turn this light off?

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