R50/53 So... who is planning to keep their 1st gen MINI literally forever?
#726
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st-thread.html
#727
check this out, give it a listen, might be what your looking for.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st-thread.html
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...st-thread.html
#728
The last time I posted on this thread was in 2008. Last week, I have officially owned my MINI (since new) for 10 years.
Claim to fame would be taking a gunshot on the strip in Las Vegas while attending AMVIV.
Beken's life story in pictures
And we continue to motor on....
Claim to fame would be taking a gunshot on the strip in Las Vegas while attending AMVIV.
Beken's life story in pictures
And we continue to motor on....
#729
The last time I posted on this thread was in 2008. Last week, I have officially owned my MINI (since new) for 10 years.
Claim to fame would be taking a gunshot on the strip in Las Vegas while attending AMVIV.
Beken's life story in pictures
And we continue to motor on....
Claim to fame would be taking a gunshot on the strip in Las Vegas while attending AMVIV.
Beken's life story in pictures
And we continue to motor on....
#730
I like this thread. I'm thinking about getting a Mini as something fun after I leave Alaska this summer and have been very hesitant due to the perceived poor reliability I keep reading about. I'm a huge fan of the R53 vs. the other minis.
Reading through this thread makes me think while some people have had some issue, many others have not had anything major.
I think I'll be looking for an 05/06 MCS!
Reading through this thread makes me think while some people have had some issue, many others have not had anything major.
I think I'll be looking for an 05/06 MCS!
#731
I like this thread. I'm thinking about getting a Mini as something fun after I leave Alaska this summer and have been very hesitant due to the perceived poor reliability I keep reading about. I'm a huge fan of the R53 vs. the other minis. Reading through this thread makes me think while some people have had some issue, many others have not had anything major. I think I'll be looking for an 05/06 MCS!
#732
I like this thread. I'm thinking about getting a Mini as something fun after I leave Alaska this summer and have been very hesitant due to the perceived poor reliability I keep reading about. I'm a huge fan of the R53 vs. the other minis.
Reading through this thread makes me think while some people have had some issue, many others have not had anything major.
I think I'll be looking for an 05/06 MCS!
Reading through this thread makes me think while some people have had some issue, many others have not had anything major.
I think I'll be looking for an 05/06 MCS!
What part of AK are you in? I'm in Kodiak.
#733
I don't think you'll be disappointed. I have a '04 R53 and my sister has a '06 R53. We're both in Alaska. My cousin in California has a '05 R53. None of us have had any major issues. I think the R50/53 MINIs are among the most bulletproof of the MINIs.
What part of AK are you in? I'm in Kodiak.
What part of AK are you in? I'm in Kodiak.
#735
#736
I guess you lucked out in the end I was on the receiving side of a MCS 2006 FULLY LOADED with every option that was babied by a elderly couple and they thought there were selling a regular cooper for $5,100
#737
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Near Portland, OR, USA
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I'm keeping mine forever. R53 115k miles.
I'm thinking of getting a cheapo commuter to prevent adding 80 miles a day to the mini. I could enjoy the mini more on weekends, or only drive it to work in the summer.
I'm thinking of getting the door dents and rock chips fixed, but I heard that repaints will not last as long or be as good as the original paint. Any thoughts on this? When is it time to repaint, as opposed to living with the chips on the hood and front bumper?
I'm thinking of getting a cheapo commuter to prevent adding 80 miles a day to the mini. I could enjoy the mini more on weekends, or only drive it to work in the summer.
I'm thinking of getting the door dents and rock chips fixed, but I heard that repaints will not last as long or be as good as the original paint. Any thoughts on this? When is it time to repaint, as opposed to living with the chips on the hood and front bumper?
#738
I'm keeping mine forever. R53 115k miles.
I'm thinking of getting a cheapo commuter to prevent adding 80 miles a day to the mini. I could enjoy the mini more on weekends, or only drive it to work in the summer.
I'm thinking of getting the door dents and rock chips fixed, but I heard that repaints will not last as long or be as good as the original paint. Any thoughts on this? When is it time to repaint, as opposed to living with the chips on the hood and front bumper?
I'm thinking of getting a cheapo commuter to prevent adding 80 miles a day to the mini. I could enjoy the mini more on weekends, or only drive it to work in the summer.
I'm thinking of getting the door dents and rock chips fixed, but I heard that repaints will not last as long or be as good as the original paint. Any thoughts on this? When is it time to repaint, as opposed to living with the chips on the hood and front bumper?
#739
I'll be keeping my '05 MCSa for as long as the crap Aisin 6-speed keeps working. I have replaced the valve body that causes the issues, but still have a bit of hard shifting tho. If the tranny grenades, then I'll cry cause I'd know what the poor guy's fate will be... Besides that, I love the car and get a smile EVERY time I drive it, although I do have a lot that needs done before I can dig him out of my garage for a drive again... I have front-end damage from a head-on accident which means a new hood, hood hinge, headlight, grille, bumper, radiator support, fog light, turn-signal light, and possibly a bumper reinforcement bar (depends if the old one can be bent back and welded). I also need four new tires, a wheel alignment, new bushings, struts, and strut mounts, and a new A/C compressor for those hot Mississippi summers... All of this totals around $4500. I can do most of the work myself and I am willing to do so for my Bernie because it's been a great car so far. Bern's been there for me, so I gotta be there for ole boy!
#740
I'll be keeping my '05 MCSa for as long as the crap Aisin 6-speed keeps working. I have replaced the valve body that causes the issues, but still have a bit of hard shifting tho. If the tranny grenades, then I'll cry cause I'd know what the poor guy's fate will be... Besides that, I love the car and get a smile EVERY time I drive it, although I do have a lot that needs done before I can dig him out of my garage for a drive again... I have front-end damage from a head-on accident which means a new hood, hood hinge, headlight, grille, bumper, radiator support, fog light, turn-signal light, and possibly a bumper reinforcement bar (depends if the old one can be bent back and welded). I also need four new tires, a wheel alignment, new bushings, struts, and strut mounts, and a new A/C compressor for those hot Mississippi summers... All of this totals around $4500. I can do most of the work myself and I am willing to do so for my Bernie because it's been a great car so far. Bern's been there for me, so I gotta be there for ole boy!
#741
Sorry to hear about your accident, the same thing happened to me and I was heartbroken last month...Do you know how to figure out what transmission is on my MINI? Also I am trying to figure out if I have the LSD installed or not? I have a 06 r53 automatic but don't know anything beyond that..
The short answer is no.
Here's a link to a great writeup by Blimey:
http://www.*******.com/forums/cooper...ld-thread.html
replace the ****** with "motoring" and "alliance" all one word don't use the quotes.
Last edited by cerenkov; 03-07-2015 at 08:41 AM.
#742
The short answer is no.
Here's a link to a great writeup by Blimey:
http://www.*******.com/forums/cooper...ld-thread.html
replace the ****** with "motoring" and "alliance" all one word don't use the quotes.
Here's a link to a great writeup by Blimey:
http://www.*******.com/forums/cooper...ld-thread.html
replace the ****** with "motoring" and "alliance" all one word don't use the quotes.
#745
#746
I dont think the fluid has ever been changed in mine and its got 125K, I should prob do that soon huh!
#747
Mine failed at 90k and once I did research on the issue, I found that the reason the Aisin fails is because of the added heat from the supercharger destroys the aluminum ball bearings inside the solenoids of the transmissions' valve body. Replaced the valve body with an updated version from RevMax which includes SONNAX parts, but the old valve body took a toll on the rest of the trans. A rebuild kit would fit the bill, but most transmission shops that REFUSE to work on these transmissions because they are a monster to deal with and I'm not sure if I'd be up for the task. Maybe someday...
And if you have paddle shifters, then you have the Aisin.
#748
Sorry to hear about your accident, the same thing happened to me and I was heartbroken last month...Do you know how to figure out what transmission is on my MINI? Also I am trying to figure out if I have the LSD installed or not? I have a 06 r53 automatic but don't know anything beyond that..
#749
Definitely get that fluid changed. MINI claims that it is "lifetime" fluid, but their definition of lifetime is a shady one... Trans fluid should be changed every 50-60000 miles. Minimania has the correct fluid, although eBay always has it cheaper.
Mine failed at 90k and once I did research on the issue, I found that the reason the Aisin fails is because of the added heat from the supercharger destroys the aluminum ball bearings inside the solenoids of the transmissions' valve body. Replaced the valve body with an updated version from RevMax which includes SONNAX parts, but the old valve body took a toll on the rest of the trans. A rebuild kit would fit the bill, but most transmission shops that REFUSE to work on these transmissions because they are a monster to deal with and I'm not sure if I'd be up for the task. Maybe someday...
And if you have paddle shifters, then you have the Aisin.
Mine failed at 90k and once I did research on the issue, I found that the reason the Aisin fails is because of the added heat from the supercharger destroys the aluminum ball bearings inside the solenoids of the transmissions' valve body. Replaced the valve body with an updated version from RevMax which includes SONNAX parts, but the old valve body took a toll on the rest of the trans. A rebuild kit would fit the bill, but most transmission shops that REFUSE to work on these transmissions because they are a monster to deal with and I'm not sure if I'd be up for the task. Maybe someday...
And if you have paddle shifters, then you have the Aisin.
I think with that being said I will be changing the fluid here soon, is that something I should have the dealer do, or do it on my own??