R50/53 Total miles your MINI has right now
#776
Just turned over 40k yesterday. Funny story is that when I got in the car and started her up the odometer was at 39,999... a few minutes later.. turned 40k. I took photos of the celebration. But havent gotten them off my phone yet. Its awesome to see other minis though well into and over the 100k mark.
#777
#783
Just hit 104,000 on my 2004 R50 yesterday! Ive had it for a little over a year now, and the only problem i had was 2 weeks after i bought it from the dealer. The transmission went kapput, i guess the previous owner likes grinding gears. at least thats what my mechanic told me haha. MOTOR ON!
#785
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
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I'm at over 89,000 on my '07 R56 MCS. I work out of my home, no commuting, so those are pretty much trip highway and fun miles. Now that I've moved to Arkansas (as of February 1), I'm planning to have a blast, blasting on these lovely highways.
Actually, just driving through HSV is plenty fun!
Actually, just driving through HSV is plenty fun!
#788
What's wrong with the R56? I found the R53 too cramped in the footwell, especially where the down pipes hit the side of your calf. The R53 has door pulls that look like armrests but aren't functional as such. The R56 makes that area usable. The R56 has many, many technological features that are, at best cludgey to add to an R53 such as keyless entry, Bluetooth integration and MINI Connected. The dash has extra storage. The R53 parcel shelf was discontinued. The power steering pump on the R53 was noisy and prone to failure.
I could go on. I've owned both. I would not go back to an R53. I'd rather have a classic MINi as a second car than to give up my R58 (essentially a tweaked R56) for an R53.
I could go on. I've owned both. I would not go back to an R53. I'd rather have a classic MINi as a second car than to give up my R58 (essentially a tweaked R56) for an R53.
#790
#791
Im in the same boat...the carbon buildup/timing chain horror stories scared me off. Looking for an R53
#792
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
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What's wrong with the R56? I found the R53 too cramped in the footwell, especially where the down pipes hit the side of your calf. The R53 has door pulls that look like armrests but aren't functional as such. The R56 makes that area usable. The R56 has many, many technological features that are, at best cludgey to add to an R53 such as keyless entry, Bluetooth integration and MINI Connected. The dash has extra storage. The R53 parcel shelf was discontinued. The power steering pump on the R53 was noisy and prone to failure.
I could go on. I've owned both. I would not go back to an R53. I'd rather have a classic MINi as a second car than to give up my R58 (essentially a tweaked R56) for an R53.
I could go on. I've owned both. I would not go back to an R53. I'd rather have a classic MINi as a second car than to give up my R58 (essentially a tweaked R56) for an R53.
Why did I pick the R56? Well, for starters, I liked the much more fuel-efficient engine, the better seats and suspension, and the longer list of standard features. No mushrooming struts, etc. Better low-end torque.
My car was delivered 2/21/07, with 3 miles on the odometer, and I've had very few problems. I expected new-model issues, but basically haven't had them. I'm a happy camper!
And yes, put me on the list of those looking for a classic...
#795
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
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Carbon buildup, no. I'm very careful about fuel. I also drive many more highway miles than city.
I did have the timing chain replaced just before I moved, at 88,000 miles. It was done prophylactically. It had not failed, but my dealer's mechanics talked to me at length about why they fail or don't fail. Chiefly, it's a matter of oil. Many people use the on-board computer to sense when an oil change is needed. Their typical customer coming in at 15,000 miles on the oil had actually only 1 to 2 quarts left in the engine. I'm much more conservative on oil, and change at 5,000 to 7,500 miles. I've never had to add oil, there's always been plenty left in the engine, and this is the ONE thing the mechanics pointed to when telling me why I got 88,000 miles before the service was needed.
I did have the timing chain replaced just before I moved, at 88,000 miles. It was done prophylactically. It had not failed, but my dealer's mechanics talked to me at length about why they fail or don't fail. Chiefly, it's a matter of oil. Many people use the on-board computer to sense when an oil change is needed. Their typical customer coming in at 15,000 miles on the oil had actually only 1 to 2 quarts left in the engine. I'm much more conservative on oil, and change at 5,000 to 7,500 miles. I've never had to add oil, there's always been plenty left in the engine, and this is the ONE thing the mechanics pointed to when telling me why I got 88,000 miles before the service was needed.
#798