Basic Maintenance

Hotness!

Tom and I shot some footage yesterday about changing your tire on a Cooper. It's totally basic, but might be just what some people are looking for. I hope to get it edited and up this week.

I'd like one of our resident tire experts to offer some time helping us make one for tire safety. Anyone?

-steve

[quote="drPhilGandini"]

BHunter54 wrote:I plan on doing some of the mods that drPhilGandini has under his hood...

drPhilGandini,

Thanks for great picture, love the labels, they are very useful for exploring
supplier websites for application info and cost estimation.

drPhilGandini wrote:You mean some of these?...

For now, the main area I want to focus on is in improving the ride and handling of my Mini "Alice II". Hopefully getting rid of the kidney jarring on long drives and making it as sure footed as a mountain goat on twisty mountain roads are not diametrically opposed objectives.

Chuck

BHunter54 wrote:...

For now, the main area I want to focus on is in improving the ride and handling of my Mini "Alice II". Hopefully getting rid of the kidney jarring on long drives and making it as sure footed as a mountain goat on twisty mountain roads are not diametrically opposed objectives.

Chuck

Well, they are -- unless you spend oodles of money on the best coilovers. If you want to see the *entire* list of options with photos of Minis running each setup, then check out this NAM thread:
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/suspension/138298-your-mcs-coilover-reference-thread-pictures-and-info.html

Great reading and the best place to start your search. As you will read, and see, I am running M7 coilovers, but I certainly don't have a smooth ride--bone jarring would be a blessing for me! But it handles incredibly well. I've heard Bilstein PSS9s are a good place to start.

BHunter54 wrote:...
One thing I'd like to see in this thread is a list of must have tools for doing both basic maintainance. ...

btw, isn't every tool you buy a "must have"? as in I must have every tool I need, and maybe a few I don't...

drPhilGandini wrote:

Mac wrote:I might be interested in this, but would also like seeing DIY here at this website, perhaps with photos attached.

There are so many HowTos on NAM, with photos and explanations by some of the really big names in the Mini Modding world, that it would seem a little redundant and unnecessary to do it here, wouldn't it?
I've modded every system that exists on an R53, and offered to help, explain or offer an opinion (as much as it's worth) over the years to NM Mini members, but have never been approached once. How can a HowTo thread substitute for actual personal experience?

Thanks for the heads-up about the NAM site, that helps, but in keeping with the stated desire to initiate a basic maintenance clinic, one could make the same argument against that redundancy. Also, if you follow the logic, this site could be considered redundant in light of NAM and other MINI sites. NM is a unique place and what applies here in term of the automotive world may not apply elsewhere, as has been my experience with cars of the "muscle" era. Just my two cents.

Our first video effort is done. It covers a basic process every driver should know -- how to change your tire.

If nothing else, we had a good time making it and will be working on others. More about this in the next post.

Change Your MINI Tire:
MINI TIRE CHANGE (9 mins 44 secs - 15MB)

Quicktime required: http://apple.com/quicktime
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A couple of other videos we will make are about Basic Maintenance such as changing headlights, marker lights, air filter, etc., and one on items to carry in your car for travel emergencies.

Input on either topic is welcome.
We've polled some people already and gotten an interesting and fairly thorough list of suggested items to carry in your MINI. You can add to the list if you have other suggestions.

Tow rope
Light
Sun Shade
Ice scraper
Tire gauge
Cell Phone
2-Way radio
Towels
GPS
Plenty of classic rock-n-roll
Gas
Duct tape
Tire
AAA card
Compressor
Tire patch kit
Water
Jacket
Map
Small tool kit
Camp chair
Snacks
Blanket
Money
Member of the Swedish Bikini Team to navigate
Band-aids / first aid kit
Coins and dollars
Jumper cables
Drinking water
Car’s manual
Insurance company information, including accident book

Thanks!
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My kudo's go out to Tom and Steve.
Great Job! A truly professional production.
Looking forward to "Mini Oil Changes,
"Changing Spark Plugs in your Mini", and
"Adding a Fusion Reactor to your Mini".

Cheers

Fusion reactor!? Hadn't thought of that. I wonder if Dr. Phil already has one installed on his?

Thanks,
Steve
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No fusion reactor Steve, but I do have the new Texas Speed Works engine mount--the one that replaces the OEM mount that leaks hydraulic fluid all over the passenger side chassis when it takes its inevitable dump, causing the engine vibration to increase substantially in addition to the mess of the oil all over the engine bay. The new unit is "discrete" with only solid parts, no fluids to leak. Clean, easily installed and surprisingly less NVH than a leaking stock mount/damper.
Highly recommended, especially if your 05/06 mount has already begun to leak.

Good tip Dr Phil. Sounds like one I need to add to the list.
Just had an oil leak fixed near a motor mount, though
it was attributed to the crank position sensor seal.

Is that engine mount on both Coops and Esses, all years up to 2006, or limited to the years you note?

I'll have to take a look for it.

-steve

I would like to know about #13 above,( reseting the oil readout on the dash) I bought the bently manuel and its method doesnt seem to work for my car, if you know what to do on an 06 model let me know

Give this a try. Taken from multiple posts on NAMM andother sites. I've seen claims it worked on multiple years but I can only verify it worked on my '05 . . . first time.

Note: The reset interval depends on how many resets have been done. First is 10k second is either 15k or 15.5k depending on who's posts you go by. You get the idea.

1. Press and hold the trip odometer button.
2. Insert car key and turn it to the first position (not the second position).
3. You will see "51A" come up in the trip odometer area.
4. Release, then press and hold again.
5. Watch for the word “RST” to appear on the Odometer indicator. (May take a few seconds)
6. Release, then press and hold again.
7. Wait for the “RST” message to flash.
8. Release, and then press & release odo button.

I would love to attend an event like this. I want to know everything possible on how to take care of my Mini. I know this thread is older but do we have enough interest to get this together? Sounds like you guys really know your stuff!

We're working on this event. Keep track of it at this link:

https://nmmini.forumotion.net/club-drives-f7/maintenance-and-mod-day-t208.htm

Thanks for posting that video on how to change a Mini tire!

Glad you liked it. Pretty basic stuff, but it was fun to produce.

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I just wanted to say that I'm new here and new to owning a Mini. I've only owned mine for about a week! I'd be really interested in a Mini workshop. I'm interested in detailing subtleties as well as basic engine and tire maintenance.

I am waiting for my first Mini to arrive in a few weeks (2011 Convertible S) and would be very interested in a work shop to get to know things about my new baby. If a refresher course is being offered, I would come.