Week 11 (3/08/09-3/14/09) Support Group
#1102
Just did my first service. Just under 19K. Only changes I have made are to add XM and mount it next to the center pod. I put on a shorty antenna and connected my Garmin to the Mini GPS antenna under the seat. I put the protective plastic over the headlights. I also added rear fog lights as additional brake lights (https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/how-to/181630-added-stop-turn-lights-to-rear-fog-location.html) and got new shoes for the winter (about time to take them off now).
I asked the Service Adviser about the power loss that has been talked about in the forum and he said that he though the effected cars may have receive the non-Works software. I'm not sure I believe there are that many shops that don't know which software to load.
I asked the Service Adviser about the power loss that has been talked about in the forum and he said that he though the effected cars may have receive the non-Works software. I'm not sure I believe there are that many shops that don't know which software to load.
#1103
#1106
I'm a little over 16,000km
So I guess I got a MINI with the quirks then
I've had the waterpump/tensioner job done for the idle squeal. And I just got the chain tensioner job done for the rattle today, actually I'm just waiting for my dealer to pick me up as I type this. Got it done quick too, I just dropped it off yesterday afternoon.
It only rattled a few times and not as bad as some of the vids you can see out there, but easily got them to do the fix. So far my dealership has been great. I haven't had to fight them on anything(*knocks on wood). So as long as I'm taken care of I'm happy.
No mods done though. The only one I'm still thinking about is adding lumbar support to the drivers seat.
Winter tires are still on, not like I needed them this year in Ontario. I shoveled snow only once and even then I almost didn't have to.
My fuel economy could be better....but that's not the cars fault Not likes it's bad, but if I drive really nice I can get some pretty decent numbers.
So I guess I got a MINI with the quirks then
I've had the waterpump/tensioner job done for the idle squeal. And I just got the chain tensioner job done for the rattle today, actually I'm just waiting for my dealer to pick me up as I type this. Got it done quick too, I just dropped it off yesterday afternoon.
It only rattled a few times and not as bad as some of the vids you can see out there, but easily got them to do the fix. So far my dealership has been great. I haven't had to fight them on anything(*knocks on wood). So as long as I'm taken care of I'm happy.
No mods done though. The only one I'm still thinking about is adding lumbar support to the drivers seat.
Winter tires are still on, not like I needed them this year in Ontario. I shoveled snow only once and even then I almost didn't have to.
My fuel economy could be better....but that's not the cars fault Not likes it's bad, but if I drive really nice I can get some pretty decent numbers.
#1107
5th Gear
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I'm about due for my free oil change (1 year with 6k still to go before service #1) and the only problem I've had is my ipod cable being a little flakey and my passenger window just started a problem where it won't stay closed - it'll go to the top, then drop to half way like it's hitting something. I tried resetting it using hints in the forum, but that didn't fix it. I can finesse it closed with with some deft switch work, but hopefully it'll be fixed at the dealer with a reset of the window.
#1108
#1109
Will be on my summer tires soon, too. Can't wait to be back on the Dunlop's and off the all-seasons!
#1110
#1111
Sweet, the pic on the Mach V (fastmini.net) page for those tires in white is my car (as seen in the sig pic)
#1112
Hey guys ! I just went for my 1 year oil change. The odometer was around 14.5K when I brought it in yesterday with still about 4.6K on the oil mtn due meter. The service advisor indicated that the it works (and I heard this on this Forum as well) that I bring it back again when the oil mtn meter zeroes out...meaning in 4.6K miles. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense for them to do a free one after 1 yr and over 14K miles and then do another free one in about 3+ months and only 4.6K miles but okay...that's the way it works !
No issues, just had them do a tire rotation and that was it.
But interesting discussion about "Gas". The service advisor, without any prompting, launched into a discussion about gas and how many get 93 octane since 91 octane may only be availbale from Sunoco. He indicated that they have found (and not sure who "they" refers to) that the 93 octane, the ethanol is not that controlled and randomly you could get between 10 & 30% ethanol and anything above 10% can be detrimental to your engine. He then mentioned that it would be best to fill up with "89" Octane fuel - The ethanol is more controlled at 10%. he indicated I was likely to also see some gas and power improvements using 89 Octane. He said some that come to the dealership actually fill up with half a tank at 93 octane and half the tank at 89 Octane to get 91 Octane on the button. But his feeling was to stick with 89 Octane - "Your car will run fine !"
You guys hear about this anywhere on this Forum or from your service advisors ? He did say that the ethanol issue with the higher Octane fuel is more of an east coast problem ?? Maybe because we use Ethanol here more so than on the west coast ?
Anyway - 89 Octane ??
No issues, just had them do a tire rotation and that was it.
But interesting discussion about "Gas". The service advisor, without any prompting, launched into a discussion about gas and how many get 93 octane since 91 octane may only be availbale from Sunoco. He indicated that they have found (and not sure who "they" refers to) that the 93 octane, the ethanol is not that controlled and randomly you could get between 10 & 30% ethanol and anything above 10% can be detrimental to your engine. He then mentioned that it would be best to fill up with "89" Octane fuel - The ethanol is more controlled at 10%. he indicated I was likely to also see some gas and power improvements using 89 Octane. He said some that come to the dealership actually fill up with half a tank at 93 octane and half the tank at 89 Octane to get 91 Octane on the button. But his feeling was to stick with 89 Octane - "Your car will run fine !"
You guys hear about this anywhere on this Forum or from your service advisors ? He did say that the ethanol issue with the higher Octane fuel is more of an east coast problem ?? Maybe because we use Ethanol here more so than on the west coast ?
Anyway - 89 Octane ??
#1113
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I also just got my 1 year change (with 4600 left on the service meter). Wanted them to do a tire rotation, but my fronts are down to the wear bars so I need to get them replaced at some point.
Re: Gas - I've only run 93 in my R56, but I used to run 89 in my R53 and never had an issue. In fact, I used to get better MPG with 89 and I assumed that was because the engine automatically retards itself to avoid knocking at the lower octane. That being said, I never noticed any difference in power between 89 and 93. I guess the big question is, since Shell don't carry 91 are MINI going to stop recommending them as a "top tier gas" provider?
Re: Gas - I've only run 93 in my R56, but I used to run 89 in my R53 and never had an issue. In fact, I used to get better MPG with 89 and I assumed that was because the engine automatically retards itself to avoid knocking at the lower octane. That being said, I never noticed any difference in power between 89 and 93. I guess the big question is, since Shell don't carry 91 are MINI going to stop recommending them as a "top tier gas" provider?
#1115
#1117
Don't forget how much tax is on the price of Canadian gas
Lolly would like it but I doubt your wallet would. Right now I think it's up to about $1.12-1.15 per litre.
At least I don't live in Quebec, I'd guess they're paying around 10 cents per litre more than I am. Still not as bad as my road trip to the east coast 1.5 years ago. I remember driving through Quebec paying over $1.50 per litre for regular
#1119
I'm still considering this 89 Octane recommendation. The 1st generation Problems Forum also has a similar discussion about octane on a Gas posting.
Exxon Mobil is not on the list of top tier gas mfrs. Chevron, Texaco and Shell are on the list.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
Exxon Mobil is not on the list of top tier gas mfrs. Chevron, Texaco and Shell are on the list.
http://www.toptiergas.com/
#1121
#1122
Wow, sorry to hear about all the trouble you've been having. Our MINI has been lucky and trouble free. We took her camping last year (yup, camping in a MINI) and took her on a bunch of runs with the local MINI club in addition to using her as a daily driver. She didn't seem to like the winter much but she made it through...
#1123
update:
Just got a call from the dealer, they're replacing the water pump and friction wheel. Not too surprised, that's what they did last time, lol. Hopefully this pump is a winner though. She'll be ready tomorrow. I think all MINI dealers should have a small inventory of waterpumps and death rattle fixes on hand to speed things up.
@Perihelion: NOBODY likes winter in Alberta but I am jealous of the lack of PST out there. Soon we'll pay more in taxes with the HST
Other than the squeal, and death rattle, she's been good. Nice to hear that your JCW has been treating you well.
Just got a call from the dealer, they're replacing the water pump and friction wheel. Not too surprised, that's what they did last time, lol. Hopefully this pump is a winner though. She'll be ready tomorrow. I think all MINI dealers should have a small inventory of waterpumps and death rattle fixes on hand to speed things up.
@Perihelion: NOBODY likes winter in Alberta but I am jealous of the lack of PST out there. Soon we'll pay more in taxes with the HST
Other than the squeal, and death rattle, she's been good. Nice to hear that your JCW has been treating you well.