Just bought a 2013 mini Cooper Clubman s with 40 thousand original miles.. did not have a shop look at it before I bought it.. so driving home after purchasing it.. check engine light comes on.. just came back from mini dealership in peobody Massachusetts... thermostat was bad .. also pulley on the water had issues... total cost to fix ?? $1700.. not happy.. my mini Cooper only has 40 thousand original miles on it.. bone stock... love your channel.. just trying to contribute real information... this is my 2nd mini Cooper Clubman s.. first one was fun but clutch went south at 30 thousand Miles.. so yea these cars are expensive to fix .. I'm so happy I have a bullet proof low mileage Scion xb in my driveway for my daily hoopty
Mine fluctuates between 221° to 226.5° and I live in vegas where it's nice and hot . It's pretty dumb that they didn't install a temp gauge or oil pressure gauge. I totally agree with you that we need to know at least the basic health of the engine.
This video provides invaluable insight. I will soon get a new 136 hp Mini Cooper and the information will help me avoid problems and enjoy the car all the more.
Always wanted a Mini Cooper. Picked mine up last week. Noticed the engine was running hot, so great to find you and appreciate your advice. Peace out from UK 🇬🇧 👊🏼
The reason for the more often oil change is because of the turbos. I did research, I found out the oil was in too long and got thin, not lubricating the turbo enough leading to many failures in early cars.
Great videon man, I have had 3 minis. Everything you said has happened to my minis. But if your willing to learn like you said preventative maitenance and shop wisely for parts they can be good cars. Also they can take a hit, got hit in the rear by an old man who fell asleep going over 70mph I was at a stoplight. It hurt like no other but the car disperse the majority of the hit through the roll cage it got totalled but i wasnt badly injured.
@@edm9527yea the first gen is simply more reliable and is easier to work on…I would know i just rebuilt a second generation with the n18 and have had the misfortune of owning both 1st and second generation
I have a 2012 mini cooper purchased in 2013. I change my own oil and use full synthetic purchase at Walmart. It has never burnt any oil. Agree with changing good spark plugs
Nice man!! Tbh Hard to beat Walmart prices.. no burning oil means you’re properly maintaining your car so you shouldn’t have a problem having it last for years problem free
Nice Mini. Mini recommends Castrol synthetic 5w-30 which we have run for 130K+ miles now with no oil issues changing it by the book. It uses about a quart between oil changes. It's driven 100 miles a day on a freeway commute with moderate traffic with standard NGK plugs and Bosch coils using Top Tier Premium fuel. We've only had to replace the brakes, tires, hydraulic pump (under warranty), battery, and serpentine belt and adjuster. It's been very reliable. Good advice all around though.
All very true!! I did the walnut blast, helped a lot! stop traffic is the worst for these cars, they need to be driven. Also, had a coolant leak, fixed that. Totally agree on the oil, I change mine every 5K miles max!! Thanks for the vid!!
im looking into a 2012 mini cooper S as an autocross car and i've been watching your videos and others to get a little bit of insight and research and just wanna say thanks my dude.
Awesome man! Hope you enjoy! They’re great cars just make sure to look after it and make sure you use the right fluids, parts etc and I’m sure you’ll be fine
The base can be an awesome car. From beginning.. Change the coils n plugs, oil change liquid moly and Lucas syn. A night n day difference. And check the coolant housing as well as lower rad hose.
@@JessmanChicken86 I ended up buying a lemon and had to do a lot of work!… The dealership put heater repair in the radiator which caused a multitude of issues and had to be flushed a few times… The A.C. Had to be replaced and has a slow and unidentifiable leak… Oil was egressing through the spark plug tubes and fried one of the plugs… Exhaust had to be repaired… Brakes went and put new calipers and rotors front and rear… Front speaker went and upgraded to better ones… Bought Black S 16” wheels and had to put fresh rubber and tpms sensors on em. I wish I spent more up front on a S with a warranty, but I love driving the car despite the past issues which were resolved in the first year and a half. It’s Pepper White and I love the color, I get many compliments on the car , people love Coopers!
My R56 is a 2013 and i've just reached 100k miles on it, no leaks and no major problems aside from replacing the o2 sensor and the ECU but those were both warranty.
Maintenance, maintenance and maintenance! WOW! Same recipe for all vehicles on hearth! LOL 😂 😂 Jokes aside. NEVER ever skip an oil change! If such shorten the oil change interval, never extend it. Even my "scrap" bought never failed on me with fresh synthetic oil.
Great vid thanks for the info. Id like to add. The CAS-3 went bad on mine. Cost me $1,200 to replace the shop said it failed bcuz it overheated likely from the car sitting in the sun all day. Note: put a sun visor on your windshield....
I think it's losing oil from blow by , at least some of it . And I think the catch can helps build up in the intake and valves. Certain years of the Chevy 5.3l were having the same oil problems. It was getting out through the pcv circuit.
Key word “certain years”. Almost all years of the 5.3L lose oil from… rear main seal leaks. Standard problem with Chevy. Take it from someone who owned one, you might think they’re bulletproof but they tend to leak.
N14: CHANGE the OIL every 5K miles (8000KM). I check my R55's oil at least once every gas tank refill. When doing any oil leak maintenance...change the rigid turbo oil-feed line to the S.S. flexible variant and also change the return line that comes with this kit. Since the front end is in maintenance mode for this job, also change the oil filter housing gaskets AND the oil coolant housing gaskets. Save time and money by doing it all at the same time. Install an oil catch can, at least one for the clean side. I run Seafoam on the air intake takeoff hose from the dirty side of the valve cover, the one on the passenger side back corner. About a dixie cup full of seafoam, gradually sucked from the cup into the hose so as not to stall the engine (2000 RPM). I then shut it down and let it sit for about a half hour. Then I run the car in lower gear to get to 4000RPM, to clean out the carbon. If lots of carbon, I do the process one more time. Run the Saefoam treatment every 10K-12K miles (at least once a year). Buy a BT OBDII with one/off button. I leave it in, but OFF, unless driving. Then get a decent APP (I use the paid variant of Torque) to get the engine information real time. Change the timing chain at every
I love my Mini Cooper and I'm always appreciate your help in every video I'm in a Mini Cooper Club in Pennsylvania, if you want enter in the club let me know we have people from NJ and NY
Hey Diego! Checking in with 146k on the R56. Lots of work done in my first year. My question is how long will you run your coils? I changed mine when I got the car just under a year ago. Thank you brother. You are a great resource to keep coming back to. It’s a crappy day here and I’d love to add a little giddy up to the car.
I just bought a used 2014 S with 76k miles and it's running great. The carfax shows that all of the recommended routine maintenance was performed without a hitch. But how would I know when a walnut blast is necessary? I plan on getting the fuel injector swapped out when it hits 80k - would that be a good time to get the walnut blast done? I get the impression from the comments here that Seafoam is pointless, yet other videos seem to swear by it for the Minis
I purchase a 2014 mini Cooper yesterday. Thanks for all the tips on this little gem. I didn’t do my due diligence on the mini, however, it’s a beautiful car and your advice is appreciated for future maintenance. Thanks a million👌🏽
I am planning to buy one soon and I am shocked it doesn't have a temperature gauge. Damn ; but i will still buy one and enjoy. Thanks for the tips and very useful info. keep well, cheers
Just bought on 09 S with 125k. Timing changing and water pump just changed. Owner said to keep check on oil. Reading the comments on here make my stomach hurt! Dred that it likely going to be unreliable and more expensive than it’s worth. Woe is me!
Hi there! I’m on my 4th Mini, just bought a 2011 Mini S with 73K miles on it, I’m the 3rd owner. Maintenance history shows regular service intervals at a mini dealership. Post buy inspection at my local mini dealer showed suspension bushings starting to leak, the serpentine belt needing replacement and a need for new rear tires. The front one were replaced with new run flats at the dealer prior to the sale to me. I did notice the engine oil quantity slightly above the max line. No drivability problems noted so far. Regards to the fuel grade, what’s the problem with using mid grade fuel , as it lists the mid grade as the minimum octane to use in the owners manual? Service history shows high pressure fuel pump and thermostat replacement due to service bulletins. I chose the 2011 S because I read that Mini fixed some of the drivability issues with the 2011 engine. With the low mileage vs 10 year age of the car do you have any low cost ways to avoid the valve problem you described? Do Mini dealer service departments do the walnut wash yo describe? I also have a Gen 3 Clubman S All4 and it currently hasn’t given me any problems with just around 47K miles. Any suggestions on keeping these 2 wonderful cars running well are appreciated
Yes! European cars have different emissions requirements and different water. Using the fluids for any European car is critical. BMW/Mini, VW/Audi, M-B all have specific requirements. Do not assume anything with these cars. Read the owner's manual, read the label on the coolant or motor oil containers. Otherwise, you can destroy your engine! My 2008 VW Rabbit has 155K miles on it with no oil consumption, no leaks and wonderful performance. All I do is strict maintenance with more frequent fluid change intervals than recommended. Paying more for good fluids is cheap insurance.
Diego Arias it’s got a lot of miles so I’m gonna either do a walnut blast myself or get a shop to do it, for mods I’m keeping it simple for now, upgrading the Intercooler and the pipes going to it, suspension refresh and stiffer rear sway bar after that
$1,000 is insane. I cleaned my BMW N54 using Berrymans, soft metal brushes for cleaning a shotgun and lots of q-tips. Cost: lots of hours and about $10
Send your used oil for analysis at a lab. I've ran oil a lot more than 3k miles and less than 10k miles based on actual hard data from a lab that specializes in oil analysis. That way I KNOW exactly how long to run my oil. No guessing, and no wasting money. One of my cars with a Turbo gets its oil changed every 8000 miles because that is how long the oil lasts in that engine. Another car of mine with more than 3 times the horsepower can get 15000 miles or 1 year. I usually end up changing it at 1 year and about 13k miles and the test results are great every time I feel like checking it.
Thanks man! And a tune will really wake up the car and make it so much more fun to drive no doubt. The ultra gauge is also a great tool to help you see what your car is doing
Older minis are unreliable yes however doesn't mean the brand hasn't improved. I own 2016 Countryman the brand has majorly improved reliabilty. And use what they recommend in manual not 5W-40
hey Mate, thanks for the information l have the S model..use Scheel gas. keep in mind.iif yo are at the Andes snowed...low the air tires pressure.it will run likeva 4 wheel drive.in emergency..thanks for your videos. greetings from Venezuela🚗🇻🇪
You’ll be good! Just make sure to give it the proper maintenance it needs. Before doing any mods make sure to change all the fluids and give it a tune up
Oh I thought I should mention this as someone who wanted a mini cooper and has driven total basket cases and very sound ones with low miles and ones with damn near everything replaced. If your test driving get the car cold from the start and check it after it's warm they ALL WILL DRIVE GOOD. I've driven 3 minis will horrible leaking turbos they will still go into over boost. Be careful and double check for leaks. I bought mine and didn't even know the turbo was on its way out the owner took it to BMW for everything so just beware even nice ones can be a pain. But good news is even when broken they're fun.
It would be good if you started by pointing out which engine type, which generation mini you have because in 3 generations, 3 different power plants, there are different known weak points not same with all models.
I own a Mini Cooper. I would NEVER have bought such a POS automobile but my wife really likes it. Everything about it is fragile. The plastic under the hood is cheap and gets brittle after some mileage is put on the car. A battery replacement at the dealership is around $800..... for an effing battery! These cars have a reputation for unreliability, expensive repairs and unexpected break downs. The reputation is well deserved. Buying a used one with 50K + miles, or even less, is a fool's errand. Go for it if you must, but for most it will only happen once.
You dont have problems having the intercooler exposed? Is there any hole due to rocks in the road? And you just cut the grill or how did you get it exposed?
No issues what so ever with it exposed and I’ve had it like this for almost 3 years now haha.. and all I did was remember the bottom grille, cut as close to the brake ducts and I could then sanded them down smooth and spray over them with black paint and reinstalled just the ducts
Oh, sweet gauge! Is that something you simply plug in to a sensor/ECU and run the wire through the dash to a screen? Possible to do yourself *easily* ?
i just got my first car ever and it is a mini cooper S (2013) me and my dad have had nothing but trouble with it. it’s been through 2 turbos (both failed) and now on its 3rd one. not sure why? my fan cuts on correctly at 110 celsius, but my mini seems to be reaching high temps of 245 FAHRENHEIT? in sports mode it runs about 220-225 Fahrenheit. is this normal?? i’ve never gotten a temp warning ever. i know the pumps tend to get bad. but pretty sure it’s been replaced by previous owner? is this all normal?
Hi Diego. I have a Peugeot 308, year 2008, 1.6 petrol/LPG. It's engine is Mini. There is problem concerning the oil consumption. 1 litre or 1 quatre per 1000 km. I have used 10w40, and now 5w40. But no Liqui Moly. For this car is recommended 5w30. What is your opinion. The enigne is the same. Shall I try 5w30 or stay on 5w40 trying Liqui Moi???
I'm in the process of buying a 2011 with 95k miles on it. I keep hearing that they are very expensive to repair. makes me wonder if the car is worth the repairs.
It really depends ... if you buy second hand you need to have the service records to ensure everything was done properly.. minis are like any car where you have to keep up with them so they stay running strong.. oil changes at the right intervals and tune ups when needed and you won’t have any issues.. always check your fluids(like you should with any car) and you should be worry free
@@DArias also i figured out the rolling window down trick. Unlock the car first then hold the unlock button. I know this is the wrong video but i just wanted to let you know.
Hi Diego Arias.Very informed video. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I saw the Petro Plus 7 (Napa auto parts) oil Additive. The advertised performance of the product is super cool. Do you recommend putting it in? Is the additive will be okay for the Mini. Please let me know what do you think?
Did you have any issues removing the sensor in the intake tube? I'm worried if i remove it installing an intake it would create a problem or a check engine light (i have a n18 also)
All you need are 2 resistors to trick the computer into thinking the pcv heaters are connected. With the resistors you’ll get 0 lights and the car runs perfect
Just bought a 2011 Clubbie S, my first Mini. Is there a difference in maintenance for driving mostly in sport mode? (I haven't even tried doing that yet but I hear it's more fun.)
Just bought a 2013 mini Cooper Clubman s with 40 thousand original miles.. did not have a shop look at it before I bought it.. so driving home after purchasing it.. check engine light comes on.. just came back from mini dealership in peobody Massachusetts... thermostat was bad .. also pulley on the water had issues... total cost to fix ?? $1700.. not happy.. my mini Cooper only has 40 thousand original miles on it.. bone stock... love your channel.. just trying to contribute real information... this is my 2nd mini Cooper Clubman s.. first one was fun but clutch went south at 30 thousand Miles.. so yea these cars are expensive to fix .. I'm so happy I have a bullet proof low mileage Scion xb in my driveway for my daily hoopty
Mine fluctuates between 221° to 226.5° and I live in vegas where it's nice and hot . It's pretty dumb that they didn't install a temp gauge or oil pressure gauge. I totally agree with you that we need to know at least the basic health of the engine.
This video provides invaluable insight. I will soon get a new 136 hp Mini Cooper and the information will help me avoid problems and enjoy the car all the more.
Always wanted a Mini Cooper. Picked mine up last week. Noticed the engine was running hot, so great to find you and appreciate your advice. Peace out from UK 🇬🇧 👊🏼
Same here got stuck in traffic after motorway and the engine was fuming
Just bought a 2015 Mini Cooper S, this is much appreciated! Sleek car man!
Nice! And thank you very much!
me too! Is yours doing ok still?
The reason for the more often oil change is because of the turbos. I did research, I found out the oil was in too long and got thin, not lubricating the turbo enough leading to many failures in early cars.
Great videon man, I have had 3 minis. Everything you said has happened to my minis. But if your willing to learn like you said preventative maitenance and shop wisely for parts they can be good cars. Also they can take a hit, got hit in the rear by an old man who fell asleep going over 70mph I was at a stoplight. It hurt like no other but the car disperse the majority of the hit through the roll cage it got totalled but i wasnt badly injured.
There needs to be a limit on driving cognitive reflex tests or something. Being old is like driving wasted no difference.
@@jameslemon9544 if you are asleep at the wheel you have no reflexes no matter what age you are.
🤷♂
Good to know they can take a hit 😂
Burn Oil.........Mines almost a 2 stroke !! It eats oil. No oil leaks just burns it like a 2 stroke
Pull it and slap a new piston and ring pack in!
Change pcv
@@sthcope4638 Rag in petrol tank, light match and retreat. I fecking hate the Mk2 Mini Cooper, I preferred the Mk1 (1999-2006)
@@edm9527yea the first gen is simply more reliable and is easier to work on…I would know i just rebuilt a second generation with the n18 and have had the misfortune of owning both 1st and second generation
Re-bore it
Ran Liquimoly ceretech through my used mini when i first got it at 40k miles. No more oil drinking issues here. Running a 2014 R58.
I have a 2012 mini cooper purchased in 2013. I change my own oil and use full synthetic purchase at Walmart. It has never burnt any oil. Agree with changing good spark plugs
Nice man!! Tbh Hard to beat Walmart prices.. no burning oil means you’re properly maintaining your car so you shouldn’t have a problem having it last for years problem free
I have 2012 one every time thr car it cold when I start the engine vibrating I don't know what to do
This is my first car and I’ve never done any maintenance on it or even knew I should be doing it so super glad I found this video 😅
How's it holding up?
Nice Mini. Mini recommends Castrol synthetic 5w-30 which we have run for 130K+ miles now with no oil issues changing it by the book. It uses about a quart between oil changes. It's driven 100 miles a day on a freeway commute with moderate traffic with standard NGK plugs and Bosch coils using Top Tier Premium fuel. We've only had to replace the brakes, tires, hydraulic pump (under warranty), battery, and serpentine belt and adjuster. It's been very reliable. Good advice all around though.
Yeah I have a 13 cooper s, just did plugs as I got the car with 87k miles I went with Bosch iridium plugs. The best you can buy
you run synthetic oil over full synthetic oil? which coolant brand do you run?
Gorgeous mini man. Oil consumption is real with these too lol. Mostly the n14 though
Thank you! And yeah the oil consumption sucks haha
The n12 and n14 model are obsessed with oil😂
im thingking to buy a 2007 mini cooper s with 180km on it. will you recomment it??
@@CharlieFabito-d1p stay away from them my friend.
Hows it holding up? Im planning on buying similar one now @CharlieFabito-d1p
1. Swap the engine for a k24 Honda
2. Buy a gen 3 F56
I've had my 2007 for 10 months I had to set a reminder to check the oil once a week. Oil consumption sucks
I use Mobil 1 0W40 runs good with that
@@stevenvance1611 oh wow thanks I'll try it
Tio U did u try it?My mini burns a lot of oil looking for a better oil🥲
All very true!! I did the walnut blast, helped a lot! stop traffic is the worst for these cars, they need to be driven. Also, had a coolant leak, fixed that. Totally agree on the oil, I change mine every 5K miles max!! Thanks for the vid!!
how often should i do a walnut blast? how has ur car been treating you 3 years on?
just got a 2012 cooper S, thanks for the tips!
Nice man! And absolutely !
im looking into a 2012 mini cooper S as an autocross car and i've been watching your videos and others to get a little bit of insight and research and just wanna say thanks my dude.
Awesome man! These cars are awesome for the track
I bought a 2012 a year ago she a convertible I love this car
My first Mini was a 2010 Camden Base Hatch.
Literally on the way home the first day of owning it, the check engine light came on. Ignition coils went.
Great tips ,I have had 3 minis and what you said works
Thanks man!
Just bought a 2012 copper base without the turbo hoping to avoid further issues and I’m planning on taking great care of my new MINI!
Awesome man! Hope you enjoy! They’re great cars just make sure to look after it and make sure you use the right fluids, parts etc and I’m sure you’ll be fine
Had so much fun with my 2012 Cooper base. Loved it so much I just bought a 2019 Cooper S. Enjoy!
The base can be an awesome car. From beginning..
Change the coils n plugs, oil change liquid moly and Lucas syn. A night n day difference. And check the coolant housing as well as lower rad hose.
Can I ask how has it been 3 years later?
@@JessmanChicken86 I ended up buying a lemon and had to do a lot of work!…
The dealership put heater repair in the radiator which caused a multitude of issues and had to be flushed a few times…
The A.C. Had to be replaced and has a slow and unidentifiable leak…
Oil was egressing through the spark plug tubes and fried one of the plugs…
Exhaust had to be repaired…
Brakes went and put new calipers and rotors front and rear…
Front speaker went and upgraded to better ones…
Bought Black S 16” wheels and had to put fresh rubber and tpms sensors on em.
I wish I spent more up front on a S with a warranty, but I love driving the car despite the past issues which were resolved in the first year and a half.
It’s Pepper White and I love the color, I get many compliments on the car , people love Coopers!
My R56 is a 2013 and i've just reached 100k miles on it, no leaks and no major problems aside from replacing the o2 sensor and the ECU but those were both warranty.
Maintenance, maintenance and maintenance! WOW! Same recipe for all vehicles on hearth! LOL 😂 😂
Jokes aside. NEVER ever skip an oil change! If such shorten the oil change interval, never extend it.
Even my "scrap" bought never failed on me with fresh synthetic oil.
I've had two of these. I found that not using it has a very positive impact. Although not always.
Great vid thanks for the info. Id like to add. The CAS-3 went bad on mine. Cost me $1,200 to replace the shop said it failed bcuz it overheated likely from the car sitting in the sun all day. Note: put a sun visor on your windshield....
Thanks ! And really???? Damn… that’s a good tip to know. Very good tip that’s unfortunate
I think it's losing oil from blow by , at least some of it . And I think the catch can helps build up in the intake and valves. Certain years of the Chevy 5.3l were having the same oil problems. It was getting out through the pcv circuit.
Key word “certain years”. Almost all years of the 5.3L lose oil from… rear main seal leaks. Standard problem with Chevy. Take it from someone who owned one, you might think they’re bulletproof but they tend to leak.
I’m buying 2011 used Mini Countryman with 100k miles on it and I learned a lot from your videos
Glad to hear it! Just make sure the maintenance is all up to date and you’ll be golden
@@DArias how do I check that any ideas
Awesome video, i use a scanguage 2 and really like the fact you can check fuel rail pressure like you said. Very informative video!!!
Eric!! How are you brother? We are worried about you in the FB group. Let us know how you are doing. Happy Holidays to you both.
Walnut blast is always a must! Great point
It is !
N14:
CHANGE the OIL every 5K miles (8000KM).
I check my R55's oil at least once every gas tank refill.
When doing any oil leak maintenance...change the rigid turbo oil-feed line to the S.S. flexible variant and also change the return line that comes with this kit. Since the front end is in maintenance mode for this job, also change the oil filter housing gaskets AND the oil coolant housing gaskets. Save time and money by doing it all at the same time.
Install an oil catch can, at least one for the clean side.
I run Seafoam on the air intake takeoff hose from the dirty side of the valve cover, the one on the passenger side back corner. About a dixie cup full of seafoam, gradually sucked from the cup into the hose so as not to stall the engine (2000 RPM). I then shut it down and let it sit for about a half hour. Then I run the car in lower gear to get to 4000RPM, to clean out the carbon. If lots of carbon, I do the process one more time. Run the Saefoam treatment every 10K-12K miles (at least once a year).
Buy a BT OBDII with one/off button. I leave it in, but OFF, unless driving. Then get a decent APP (I use the paid variant of Torque) to get the engine information real time.
Change the timing chain at every
I love my Mini Cooper and I'm always appreciate your help in every video
I'm in a Mini Cooper Club in Pennsylvania, if you want enter in the club let me know we have people from NJ and NY
Thanks man! I appreciate that and sure sounds like a plan!
Diego Arias let me know 🙌🏽
Same oil I use ! Lol works amazing and have always used it in my euro cars
Hey Diego! Checking in with 146k on the R56. Lots of work done in my first year. My question is how long will you run your coils? I changed mine when I got the car just under a year ago. Thank you brother. You are a great resource to keep coming back to. It’s a crappy day here and I’d love to add a little giddy up to the car.
GREAT video. All good points and letting people know what to use and how often to. Good job
Thank you! It’s greatly appreciated
Amazing info Diego
Thank you!
Got a 2012 Countryman and yup it burns a quart+ between chages
Funny when the gauge popped off lol ! Informative video! That carbon buildup issue is real! Get your walnut blasts people!
Loll awkward moment but yes walnuts blast is a must
I just bought a used 2014 S with 76k miles and it's running great. The carfax shows that all of the recommended routine maintenance was performed without a hitch.
But how would I know when a walnut blast is necessary? I plan on getting the fuel injector swapped out when it hits 80k - would that be a good time to get the walnut blast done? I get the impression from the comments here that Seafoam is pointless, yet other videos seem to swear by it for the Minis
I purchase a 2014 mini Cooper yesterday.
Thanks for all the tips on this little gem. I didn’t do my due diligence on the mini, however, it’s a beautiful car and your advice is appreciated for future maintenance.
Thanks a million👌🏽
Good luck with it
Great video man, keep up the good work.
Thanks homie! Appreciate the kind words
Thank you so much, glad I’ve been doing everything apart from the walnut blast or whatever that’s called
I am planning to buy one soon and I am shocked it doesn't have a temperature gauge. Damn ; but i will still buy one and enjoy. Thanks for the tips and very useful info. keep well, cheers
Can’t you add one from local auto parts stores?
RUclips should be able to tell you if you can and how.
Just bought on 09 S with 125k. Timing changing and water pump just changed.
Owner said to keep check on oil. Reading the comments on here make my stomach hurt! Dred that it likely going to be unreliable and more expensive than it’s worth. Woe is me!
Hi there! I’m on my 4th Mini, just bought a 2011 Mini S with 73K miles on it, I’m the 3rd owner. Maintenance history shows regular service intervals at a mini dealership. Post buy inspection at my local mini dealer showed suspension bushings starting to leak, the serpentine belt needing replacement and a need for new rear tires. The front one were replaced with new run flats at the dealer prior to the sale to me.
I did notice the engine oil quantity slightly above the max line. No drivability problems noted so far.
Regards to the fuel grade, what’s the problem with using mid grade fuel , as it lists the mid grade as the minimum octane to use in the owners manual?
Service history shows high pressure fuel pump and thermostat replacement due to service bulletins. I chose the 2011 S because I read that Mini fixed some of the drivability issues with the 2011 engine.
With the low mileage vs 10 year age of the car do you have any low cost ways to avoid the valve problem you described? Do Mini dealer service departments do the walnut wash yo describe?
I also have a Gen 3 Clubman S All4 and it currently hasn’t given me any problems with just around 47K miles.
Any suggestions on keeping these 2 wonderful cars running well are appreciated
Thank you! I just got surprised with a mini coop so been looking up information about it to help me because i fi drive a lot.
Yes! European cars have different emissions requirements and different water. Using the fluids for any European car is critical. BMW/Mini, VW/Audi, M-B all have specific requirements. Do not assume anything with these cars. Read the owner's manual, read the label on the coolant or motor oil containers. Otherwise, you can destroy your engine! My 2008 VW Rabbit has 155K miles on it with no oil consumption, no leaks and wonderful performance. All I do is strict maintenance with more frequent fluid change intervals than recommended. Paying more for good fluids is cheap insurance.
Just got an n14 cooper s, really appreciate the tips man
No problem! Any plans for it?
Diego Arias it’s got a lot of miles so I’m gonna either do a walnut blast myself or get a shop to do it, for mods I’m keeping it simple for now, upgrading the Intercooler and the pipes going to it, suspension refresh and stiffer rear sway bar after that
I have N18 🥺
Easiest tip is buy the F56 2016+, the 2014-2015 had a clutch bearing recall, this is the best chance of reliability
Make sure to dilute that coolant with distilled water 50/50
Very very good point yes and yes I didn’t mention that 100% correct
$1,000 is insane. I cleaned my BMW N54 using Berrymans, soft metal brushes for cleaning a shotgun and lots of q-tips. Cost: lots of hours and about $10
So true about the oil! I’ve bought 10 litres of bmw spec Castrol edge- should last me a year 😂
Send your used oil for analysis at a lab. I've ran oil a lot more than 3k miles and less than 10k miles based on actual hard data from a lab that specializes in oil analysis. That way I KNOW exactly how long to run my oil. No guessing, and no wasting money. One of my cars with a Turbo gets its oil changed every 8000 miles because that is how long the oil lasts in that engine. Another car of mine with more than 3 times the horsepower can get 15000 miles or 1 year. I usually end up changing it at 1 year and about 13k miles and the test results are great every time I feel like checking it.
You can save money on coolant and buy Zerex G-48 from most parts stores. It's the same exact stuff that BMW and MINI use.
NICE!
I live in Japan and distribute MINI custom videos.
Your video will be helpful👍
Thanks man! Super helpful. Much appreciation!
bomb video! I have a R55 and have been debating on a stage 1 tune. I have to get a real time gauge as well.
Thanks man! And a tune will really wake up the car and make it so much more fun to drive no doubt. The ultra gauge is also a great tool to help you see what your car is doing
Your car looks too good man wow
Thank you so much!
Amazing video man! Great points you made.
Thank you!
Step 2 to keeping your mini Cooper reliable sale it!
Great video man. Keep it up
Thank you!
Good job man. Plus the car looks great
Thank you so much!
Older minis are unreliable yes however doesn't mean the brand hasn't improved.
I own 2016 Countryman the brand has majorly improved reliabilty.
And use what they recommend in manual not 5W-40
had a few minis r53 was a fav ..now have the se and dont need to do anything woohoo
When it comes to reliability over power is get the 1st Gen mini with the manual transmission they are tough as rock
i second that on the oil changes! 5-6000 miles max!!! do not go 10k miles without changing your oil! you will regret it
Absolutely yes! Haha you have to
Great info! Helpful video shots! SOLID CONTENT!!! Thanks 🙏!!!!
Thank you! No problem
hey Mate, thanks for the information
l have the S model..use Scheel gas.
keep in mind.iif yo are at the Andes
snowed...low the air tires pressure.it will run likeva 4 wheel drive.in emergency..thanks for your videos.
greetings from Venezuela🚗🇻🇪
I used iridium spark plugs in my R58 .... Good for 50-60k... Try them .👍
I just put money down on an 03 with 131000k 800$ , it over heats but not right away. Rolling the dice
Just got a 2010 mini cooper s.
So I hope I didn't mess up
You’ll be good! Just make sure to give it the proper maintenance it needs. Before doing any mods make sure to change all the fluids and give it a tune up
@@DArias I'm going to a mechanic in 2 days. Once it is all good though. I see a future of fun.
I have a 2010 cooper s I've had for 3 years haven't had a major problems. I use Mobil 1 0W40 synthetic oil runs good with that
Great Video! In the process of buying a 2013 Mini Cooper S. Guys! What is the name of this sensor he has attached to the dash ?
thank you so much,very helpful..what is the device to chk heat temp..guide me wr to get this device..thanks again
Oh I thought I should mention this as someone who wanted a mini cooper and has driven total basket cases and very sound ones with low miles and ones with damn near everything replaced. If your test driving get the car cold from the start and check it after it's warm they ALL WILL DRIVE GOOD. I've driven 3 minis will horrible leaking turbos they will still go into over boost. Be careful and double check for leaks. I bought mine and didn't even know the turbo was on its way out the owner took it to BMW for everything so just beware even nice ones can be a pain. But good news is even when broken they're fun.
Thanks for these tips, really helpful. Keep up thegood job!
It would be good if you started by pointing out which engine type, which generation mini you have because in 3 generations, 3 different power plants, there are different known weak points not same with all models.
I see that the video is three years old now. I hope you're still enjoying your mini cooper
Thanks for the video. Did you change the timing chain yet on this engine? If not at what mileage are you planning to do so?
Lmao, love the gold intake pipe. Reminds me of the legendary McLaren F1
Hahaha 😂 it’s a bit tacky IMO it did def helps with heat though
💯 claiming you as my Cooper boyfriend. Thanks for sharing the knowledge! Xo
Oil change and other maintenance is the key for best reliability
I own a Mini Cooper. I would NEVER have bought such a POS automobile but my wife really likes it. Everything about it is fragile. The plastic under the hood is cheap and gets brittle after some mileage is put on the car. A battery replacement at the dealership is around $800..... for an effing battery! These cars have a reputation for unreliability, expensive repairs and unexpected break downs. The reputation is well deserved. Buying a used one with 50K + miles, or even less, is a fool's errand. Go for it if you must, but for most it will only happen once.
► Best comment here. I was going to buy one. Now I won't do it. Thanks!
You dont have problems having the intercooler exposed? Is there any hole due to rocks in the road? And you just cut the grill or how did you get it exposed?
No issues what so ever with it exposed and I’ve had it like this for almost 3 years now haha.. and all I did was remember the bottom grille, cut as close to the brake ducts and I could then sanded them down smooth and spray over them with black paint and reinstalled just the ducts
@@DArias thanks :))
@@DArias i've wanted to do that since i saw your mini it's wonderful looks so sexy
Oh, sweet gauge! Is that something you simply plug in to a sensor/ECU and run the wire through the dash to a screen? Possible to do yourself *easily* ?
The gauge just connects right into the obd2 and you can set up whatever gauges you want through the menu! Takes 5 minutes to do and I hid the wire
Can you link the one you got?
What gauge is this called?
What is it called?
@@M0shiMoshi Ultragauge
I think you'll find that the Mini/BMW recommended oil is an LL- 4 spec 0w-30 quality oil.
i just got my first car ever and it is a mini cooper S (2013) me and my dad have had nothing but trouble with it. it’s been through 2 turbos (both failed) and now on its 3rd one. not sure why? my fan cuts on correctly at 110 celsius, but my mini seems to be reaching high temps of 245 FAHRENHEIT? in sports mode it runs about 220-225 Fahrenheit. is this normal?? i’ve never gotten a temp warning ever. i know the pumps tend to get bad. but pretty sure it’s been replaced by previous owner? is this all normal?
Hi Diego. I have a Peugeot 308, year 2008, 1.6 petrol/LPG. It's engine is Mini. There is problem concerning the oil consumption. 1 litre or 1 quatre per 1000 km. I have used 10w40, and now 5w40. But no Liqui Moly. For this car is recommended 5w30. What is your opinion. The enigne is the same. Shall I try 5w30 or stay on 5w40 trying Liqui Moi???
Man I love that thing. It looks super sick!Could you tell me where you get that gauge from?
Thank you man! I appreciate that and it’s from ultra-gauge.com . The gauge is so worth it
@@DArias which mount did you order with the gauge please? Thank you so much for this!
love that you say that you wont get cooling problems if you buy mini coolant then your car leaks ;)
I'm in the process of buying a 2011 with 95k miles on it. I keep hearing that they are very expensive to repair. makes me wonder if the car is worth the repairs.
It really depends ... if you buy second hand you need to have the service records to ensure everything was done properly.. minis are like any car where you have to keep up with them so they stay running strong.. oil changes at the right intervals and tune ups when needed and you won’t have any issues.. always check your fluids(like you should with any car) and you should be worry free
The previous owner of my 08 cooper was putting oil in every week. I started putting 0w-40 and i rarely put any in it now
That’s great! The previous owner may have not been using the proper oil or doing some half ass maintenance on the car before you purchased it
@@DArias also i figured out the rolling window down trick. Unlock the car first then hold the unlock button. I know this is the wrong video but i just wanted to let you know.
Good man! I’m glad to hear it! Def nice for those hot summer days to let some air circulation run through the car
@@DArias yes it is. I used it today and it was so much better
great videos... thanks for the tips.
Thank you ! I appreciate the kind words
Hi Diego Arias.Very informed video. Thank you for sharing the knowledge. I saw the Petro Plus 7 (Napa auto parts) oil Additive. The advertised performance of the product is super cool. Do you recommend putting it in? Is the additive will be okay for the Mini.
Please let me know what do you think?
I have an air filter like yours (k&N) - how do you clean yours? Maybe make a video? Thanks
Did you have any issues removing the sensor in the intake tube? I'm worried if i remove it installing an intake it would create a problem or a check engine light (i have a n18 also)
All you need are 2 resistors to trick the computer into thinking the pcv heaters are connected. With the resistors you’ll get 0 lights and the car runs perfect
Diego Arias what resistors do you use and how do you attach them? I still have stock intake but I have the light for the preheater.
@@troywiltshire5272 nm engineering sells them
Never heard of a Real Time gauge until now 😂
May I get to know more on how you tune the Turbosmart kit, as it allows u to adjust the valve
Yes you can open or close the valve more or less for softer or stiffer spring action
I just put new wheels on my base cooper. Just wondering, how did you get all of the black trim?
Nice !! What wheels ? And I purchased a lot of the trim stuff off amazon lol
I got some avid1 av6’s in black (they are on my channel). They are basically fake TE’s. Thanks for the tip though homie
Just bought a 2011 Clubbie S, my first Mini. Is there a difference in maintenance for driving mostly in sport mode? (I haven't even tried doing that yet but I hear it's more fun.)
Do these air filters like shown allow a sporty engine sound? Is that why they are popular?
Thanks my man! This video is helpful!!
Glad to hear!
Diego, great movie, what brand of real time gauge you showing in the movie?
Thank you! This is the ultra gauge