Mini Cooper S Service Cost vs 120D

[AvronA]

Hi Gents

I currently own a 2005 120D with 157 000KMS. I had nothing but joy from this car and the services from SMG BMW has been relatively cheap. Cheaper in fact than my previous Polo TDI.

My wife now wants to buy a 2007 Mini Cooper S with 75 000KMS. Do these cars also use condition based services and how does service price compare with that of the 120D.

The Mini is out of Motorplan.

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Also, anything I should be on the lookout for, besides the timing chain rattle? Where these cars recalled for this? If I buy one that has not been changed , can I take it to Mini to have it changed?

 

[Twinz]

I have the 2005 120d as well and my experience has been a very happy one. This is one little car that i am going to keep in the family...it just goes and goes.

Drop Minimike a PM with regards the Mini...he will give you honest feedback :thumbs:

 

[Jarryd F]

Hi AvronA,

I have a 2008 Cooper S, purchased in June last year from a lady driver, who had it from new. Got it with 49k kms on the clock and the engine went at 54k kms due to the burning of a cylinder head (R97,000) (I am NOT a race car driver, in fact I drive Miss Daisy more often than act as Vettel's understudy ). Then at 62k kms the turbo went (R20,000). Thankfully I extended my motorplan.

If you have that kind of disposable income lying around for a 'maybe' moment then sure, go for it. I love my Mini and am looking forward to many more happy miles. Maybe I just got a dud version because everything seems A-OK now. Timing chain rattle is a recurring issue, as mine was obviously checked with the replacement of the engine but is starting to get bad again. Get the VIN and get down to a BMW dealer to check what has been carried out on the car.

Also check which tyres it has on, I have the bigger 17's wrapped with that absolute garbage Wanli run flat rubber. Brand new when I got them and they are 2-3 months away from being bald, after 16k kms :nonono: :thumbdo: Quotes are varying from R2,400 to R3,100 per tyre :argh:

These are just my experiences, you will probably find a lot of people who have gone 100,000+ kms with no hassles.

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Oh yes, they do also run on condition based servicing.

 

[AvronA]

Hi AvronA,

I have a 2008 Cooper S, purchased in June last year from a lady driver, who had it from new. Got it with 49k kms on the clock and the engine went at 54k kms due to the burning of a cylinder head (R97,000) (I am NOT a race car driver, in fact I drive Miss Daisy more often than act as Vettel's understudy ). Then at 62k kms the turbo went (R20,000). Thankfully I extended my motorplan.

If you have that kind of disposable income lying around for a 'maybe' moment then sure, go for it. I love my Mini and am looking forward to many more happy miles. Maybe I just got a dud version because everything seems A-OK now. Timing chain rattle is a recurring issue, as mine was obviously checked with the replacement of the engine but is starting to get bad again. Get the VIN and get down to a BMW dealer to check what has been carried out on the car.

Also check which tyres it has on, I have the bigger 17's wrapped with that absolute garbage Wanli run flat rubber. Brand new when I got them and they are 2-3 months away from being bald, after 16k kms :nonono: :thumbdo: Quotes are varying from R2,400 to R3,100 per tyre :argh:

These are just my experiences, you will probably find a lot of people who have gone 100,000+ kms with no hassles.

---

Oh yes, they do also run on condition based servicing.

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Thanks Jarryd F

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Thats my worst nightmare. To be honest, we need to choose between the Mini or a Polo GTI. I think I'll opt for the Polo. Even though I know VW will charge me an arm and a leg for maintenence.

 

[Twinz]

Parts price wise you better off with the Polo and its a well put together car as well. Is that a 2010/2011 Polo?

:joy::thumbs:

 

[AvronA]

Parts price wise you better off with the Polo and its a well put together car as well. Is that a 2010/2011 Polo?

:joy::thumbs:

No its a 2009 Polo. Not the new shape.

 

[BlueBeastie]

Hi AvronA,

I have a 2008 Cooper S, purchased in June last year from a lady driver, who had it from new. Got it with 49k kms on the clock and the engine went at 54k kms due to the burning of a cylinder head (R97,000) (I am NOT a race car driver, in fact I drive Miss Daisy more often than act as Vettel's understudy ). Then at 62k kms the turbo went (R20,000). Thankfully I extended my motorplan.

If you have that kind of disposable income lying around for a 'maybe' moment then sure, go for it. I love my Mini and am looking forward to many more happy miles. Maybe I just got a dud version because everything seems A-OK now. Timing chain rattle is a recurring issue, as mine was obviously checked with the replacement of the engine but is starting to get bad again. Get the VIN and get down to a BMW dealer to check what has been carried out on the car.

Also check which tyres it has on, I have the bigger 17's wrapped with that absolute garbage Wanli run flat rubber. Brand new when I got them and they are 2-3 months away from being bald, after 16k kms :nonono: :thumbdo: Quotes are varying from R2,400 to R3,100 per tyre :argh:

These are just my experiences, you will probably find a lot of people who have gone 100,000+ kms with no hassles.

---

Oh yes, they do also run on condition based servicing.

---

I was quoted R1800 per tyre for Kuhmo Ecsta KU-34 from Tyremart (old Hi-Q branch)

From what I've read, they don't seem too bad, I just don't know if they are BMW approved unless that doesn't phase you.

 

[Jarryd F]

[/quote]
I was quoted R1800 per tyre for Kuhmo Ecsta KU-34 from Tyremart (old Hi-Q branch)

From what I've read, they don't seem too bad, I just don't know if they are BMW approved unless that doesn't phase you.
[/quote]

I was looking at putting either Michelins or Pirellis on. As it is a few months ago I haven't done any research just yet. Can Kuhmo be compared to Michelin and Pirelli?

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*a few months away

 

[BlueBeastie]

I was quoted R1800 per tyre for Kuhmo Ecsta KU-34 from Tyremart (old Hi-Q branch)

From what I've read, they don't seem too bad, I just don't know if they are BMW approved unless that doesn't phase you.
[/quote]

I was looking at putting either Michelins or Pirellis on. As it is a few months ago I haven't done any research just yet. Can Kuhmo be compared to Michelin and Pirelli?

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*a few months away
[/quote]

I'm sure you can. I've heard the Pirelli's are soft so they won't last as long.

The dealer told me to stay away from Contis, I never asked why though.

I won't get another set of Bridgestones that came with the car, they are shye.

I've got about 2 months left at most on these and will see what I'll get.

 

[Mike1]

I can tell you why... They are utter dog sh*te on a MINI, the same applies with Dunflops. Never ever let those tyres near a MINI, they ruin the entire driving experience!

 

[BlueBeastie]

I can tell you why... They are utter dog sh*te on a MINI, the same applies with Dunflops. Never ever let those tyres near a MINI, they ruin the entire driving experience!

The kuhmos or the bridgestones? I'm STILL deciding on what to go for!

 

[Mike1]

Driving with Kumhos and Bridgestones and the Bridgestones are decidedly better, why not go for Pirelli or even Falkens? Far superior tyres for a MINI.

If you are Cape Town based, drop me a PM and I will see what I can get for the sizes you need.

Mike

 

[BlueBeastie]

Driving with Kumhos and Bridgestones and the Bridgestones are decidedly better, why not go for Pirelli or even Falkens? Far superior tyres for a MINI.

If you are Cape Town based, drop me a PM and I will see what I can get for the sizes you need.

Mike

Thanks for that. I've heard the Pirellis are soft and don't last long.

I've got a contact at a BMW dealership and I'm going to see what he can also get me at discount.

I'll drop you a pm closer to the time. For some reason the last bit of tread left on these bridgestones won't give in!

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Sorry also meant to ask, what would your choice in rft tyre be from all the brands?

 

[Mike1]

My favourite was the Bridgestones, but keep in mind we drove new cars weekly so the tyres were never really bedded in properly, on the used cars I liked the Bridgestones, but I hear they have revised that tyre now.

The worst tyre on a MINI is a Dunlop... Almost took myself out one evening in the rain in a JCW leaving the dealer at 11pm at night, hit some water under a bridge at 80km/h and had to fight to regain control, that same tyre also let the rear of a Cooper S come loose on a back road on a used car during some spirited test drives.

Mike

 

[hotchocolate]

Hi Guys,

I have had a set of Pirelli's and I will agree that they are soft and dont last very long but I have nothing bad to say about them. I just replaced the Pirelli's with the Conti Sport Contact's and I will add that they are very good tyre. Even had them on my 08 Accord and they are very quiet, great in the rain and have a medium treadwear.

 

[Jarryd F]

Hi Guys,

I have had a set of Pirelli's and I will agree that they are soft and dont last very long but I have nothing bad to say about them. I just replaced the Pirelli's with the Conti Sport Contact's and I will add that they are very good tyre. Even had them on my 08 Accord and they are very quiet, great in the rain and have a medium treadwear.

Hey hotchocolate,

How many kms did you get from your Pirellis?

 

[hotchocolate]

Hi Guys,

I have had a set of Pirelli's and I will agree that they are soft and dont last very long but I have nothing bad to say about them. I just replaced the Pirelli's with the Conti Sport Contact's and I will add that they are very good tyre. Even had them on my 08 Accord and they are very quiet, great in the rain and have a medium treadwear.

Hey hotchocolate,

How many kms did you get from your Pirellis?

Hey Jarred F,

My MINI came standard with Pirelli Eufori RFT's back in 2008. I have done 64000km's and have only replaced the front tires.

My car is still running the original tires at the rear. The rear tires have about 25% life span left as I'm trying to squeeze all I can out of them as they don't have much rolling resistance. I got 40 000 km's out of the front tires and I'm still rolling on the rears.