(Part 2) Top products from r/MINI

I've got an 08 MCS and I replaced the engine out of warranty. Aside from that I had the timing chain/tensioner, thermostat, and high pressure fuel pump all replaced under warranty. If I had to do it all over again I'd still buy my car in a heartbeat. Yes, my love for my car outweighs any and all problems I've had. I've had numerous amazing experiences in the 165,000 miles I've driven and I look forward to so many more.

If you can get a warranty with the purchase, do so, but I'd recommend looking at financing with your bank/credit union and also getting the warranty through them if possible. Just my personal experience that you're much better off doing that than getting financing or warranty at the dealer.

My biggest suggestion would be to see what the local MINI community is like. They can be your best resource to find out what shops do great work on MINIs (and will likely be cheaper than BMW pricing), and on top of that they make fantastic friends! Other than that, I'm thankful for the Bentley Service Manual (Amazon Link). I'm not incredibly mechanically inclined, but the manual has good detail and I'm enjoying doing my own work when I can!

Good luck and hope to see you back on here beaming with your new (to you) MINI!

I would recommend signing up to some classic mini forums, the best one I have found is The Mini Forum lots of great advice also lots of projects and ideas to read about.

I would recommend 'The Yellow Bible' (as it is know to classic owners) for excellent information about all the 'A' series engines.

I own a copy of this which has some excellent and interesting information about the models.

Haynes also do a 'restoration' manual that you might find interesting if you decide to persue ownership.

Where abouts are you from? It could be worth looking up a local club and trying to meet up with owners to get some infomation - I've always found this useful as most of them are very knowledgeable and very willing to help!

Feel free to AMA - I'll try to help as much as I can!

Here's the tool you'll need and here's the plugs I used for my 2008 R56. It's super easy to do! Hopefully that will fix your issue.

Front headlight

Door Handles

Rear Lights

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I didn't use the rears because I have a clubman with no bezel but that should do the trick! they do feel cheap like the reviews say, but after you take your time and install them correctly they are great, and you don't have to break any stock hardware taking the oem one out.

I’ve been working on my display and wiring setup for a while now and I’m finally happy with it so I thought I would share it with r/mini. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. This is one of my first posts so if I messed up, that’s why.

Links:

Ultragauge: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/

Aluminum GPS Mount: http://www.cravenspeed.com/mini-gps-mounting-kits/

AUX in: http://www.minicarparts.net/Instructions/M3367_Instructions.cfm

Phone/ipod holder: http://amzn.com/B009GMKT0Y

Charging cable: http://amzn.com/B000EFVGV8

gold plated AUX cable: http://amzn.com/B004LTEUDO

Antenna: http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/The-Stubby-Antenna.html

Inverter: http://amzn.com/B004MDXS0U

Lights: I don’t remember exactly, but if someone want the link then I can look more. They were like $25 total.

At 6'4" a coupe is a bit of a squeeze, but I do fit and love driving it. However, the mirror was designed with the average motorist in mind, so it's not only nearly useless since I can only see the road maybe 100' behind, but a hazard, since it blocks my forward-right view, notably when at an intersection. So I replaced it with a four-inch compact mirror mounted on a magnetic dash phone mount for under $20.

I'm still debating about what to do with the stock mirror/antenna, since upon taking it apart I discovered that the clown nose stem goes through the circuit board, and is pressed in, so not something readily removed. I'd also have to clip and solder the wires since the connector doesn't fit through the hole. So a bit daunting, and mostly irreversible, which makes me a bit nervous, especially given the relative rarity (and > $200 OEM cost) of this particular mirror. Any suggestions there would be welcome!

I use both Torque Pro and Carly.
Torque Pro works great for gauges and data, Carly works great for coding.
I've been using this cheap bluetooth adapter for both for 2 1/2 years:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011NSX27A/

I got this usb one and it’s worked great on my 2012 r55 and a few Friends bmws. I just use an old android phone and keep it in my glovebox. LZLRUN INPA K+CAN K+DCAN Car Diagnostic Tool Cable OBD USB Interface for BMW R56 E87 E93 E70 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017IG81SQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_I57YAb3G3H8VD

I didn't even know tire socks were a thing.

I bought this Super Z6 SZ129 for this trip, I tried it on and fits nicely. Never used for real though.

Update 1: I check the correct size/model in here http://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-chain-finder/traction/tirechains

First thing you need is an OEM aux input

aux input

Then I picked up a Bluetooth module off Amazon and I have been enjoying Bluetooth audio in my '06

Aukey Bluetooth connection
Amazon link

I like this Bluetooth device because it turns off and on with the car and automatically connects to the phone. Plus it came with a 3port USB charger (one port is quick charge)

I've liked the vent mounts but the positioning of the vents in the MINI make it difficult to read the screen on either the right or left of the wheel.

I just picked up a CD mount that's magnetic and I am loving it so far. It makes reaching the right most radio buttons a little tough but doesn't completely block them. All in all it was inexpensive so even if I didn't like it I didn't mind giving it away.

This is the one I went with

I use this on my r56s and love it
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016GNYZIC/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://i.imgur.com/CtG4Uey.jpg

Well so I just went back and checked and it turns out they're the basic ones, so whoops. Now I know at least that I can upgrade them lol.

Haynes seems to have dropped the ball on Minis, but there is a good Bentley Publishing manual available for the full run. This is the one I have :

https://www.amazon.com/MINI-Cooper-R55-Service-Manual/dp/0837617308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519153953&sr=8-1&keywords=9780837617305&dpID=51oyh90FgRL&preST=_SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

Yes

And don't forget your Spark Plug Socket

21 ft/lb or 28NM is the torque spec, as well.

OMNI Lighters

On amazon for $10. They have “FIRE MISSILES” too lol.

Another thing you could do is to pick up a bluetooth OBD II plugin and download Torque on your phone (android only I think). You can check the fault code there and it will give you the exact code and some other great information that would serve you well before you buy the car.

All in all, its about a $35 investment, plus you can use it elsewhere.

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-34t5-Bluetooth-Android/dp/B005NLQAHS
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en

Went with this one and I have to say, it's been a great tiny mount

And no, I'm not getting paid by these guys.

I used PIAA 168 Xtreme white wedge bulbs.
https://www.amazon.com/PIAA-19172-Xtreme-White-Wedge/dp/B0002MAHK4

And thank you! I loooove it

sounds like you might need this: http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Bead-Wood-Beaded-Cushion/dp/B000EEU0IO/

This is what I used in my R56. Consider Comfort Access button also.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5BAWK2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GmVgDbN41EM53

Amazon ---> Rally Armor MF12-BAS-RD Basic Black, Red Mud Flap with Logo (Universal Fitment (no Hardware)) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017L0841I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xfH9BbR9B9VP2

Used plastic rivets and drilled(😖) into the fender liners very carefully

depending on if you have the AUX jack or not, this works really well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0168GBMCY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This may not be the cheapest option, but currently on my r53 I am running an aux kit from the back of my radio into the glove box and then I purchased a 5 foot aux cord so every one in the car can take a turn playing music.
Adaptor -https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000PA03AC/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_bdcrb_top?ie=UTF8
Aux cord -
https://www.amazon.com/Mediabridge-3-5mm-Stereo-Audio-Cable/dp/B004LTEUDO

Thanks guys for the recommendations. :)

Problem I am having is the r53 didn't have a iPod interface like the r56. Just aux in. That's why I looked at the grom interface that plugs into the back of the head unit. Here is what it is. [GROM ](Grom Audio BMWSB3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FGAS448/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_7vczybWD1WS86)

Or I have to use on the aux/USB powered Bluetooth pieces but no control thru the steering wheel.

Here is one source:
https://smile.amazon.com/OMNI-Factory-Aluminum-Cigarette-Universal/dp/B07PHNL1J3/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=lighter+eject+button&qid=1563543025&s=gateway&sr=8-3

I think I bought one of these. I've used Datens in the past, but the last time I programmed my car I used the Carly Android app.

There is an aftermarket bluetooth module taht plugs into the back of the radio that i've heard about. But I've never seen it so do your research first.

The cheapest would be to get a blutooth dongle. i've had an older mpow model for a while, i plugged it into the aux and used 3m double sticky tape to put the skip/next/pause controls on the dash next to the radio. The volume on the steering will still work, but you need to use the bluetooth buttons to change songs. These come on when the detect power though, and auto connect to your phone so it's pretty seamless.

Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFJM14/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_2xALzbMPCMQSV

It appears the one I used and the one you're talking about are the same one. Mine was new so no issues with leaking, yet.

I read about a product called Back to Black from Mother's on NAM that has a lot of fans:
http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B0002U1TXK

I bought this one back in May, and I haven't had any problems with it. I use it with the Torque Pro app, and it's able to pull all kinds of real-time data from the reader. It's not as fancy as some of the more expensive models so it might give you a generic code every now and then, but for the money it's not bad at all.

I don't know if there will be any adverse effects with the manic tune.

No problem. I actually bought an Android tablet for the Torque app...assuming you're using an Apple device?

The reason I got the Android device was because with Apple, you can only use Wifi OBD2's. The Bluetooth has too many restrictions for the OBD2 connection to work. But Android works.

For the Bluetooth connection, I'm honestly not sure how many devices you can have connected at once, and I don't want to give you a wrong answer. Sorry.


Here is the sensor I got:

Veepeak Mini Bluetooth OBD2 OBDII EOBD Scanner Adapter Automotive Check Engine Light Diagnostic Code Reader for Android Windows https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011NSX27A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_G7vsybDQWCKFQ