Newbie

[leedavenport]

Hi guys I'm new to this motoring forum bit so I hope I'm posting the right thing in the right thing in the right place. I'm also new to minis, I am looking to get a black r52 convertible with a decent spec including some chrome bells and whistles. I have got about £5k to spend So I reckon I can get a decent one for that kind of money.

I would also like to hear from any local mini owners so I can learn about what to look for before I buy. I am based in Forres.

Hope to hear from some of you soon

Lee.

[MINI William]

Welcome along to NMS Lee. I've moved your post to its own thread

[DigitalLemming]

:welcome:

[EcosseGP]

Welcome along Lee and good luck in your quest for a convertible .. Just take your time and don't rush in :)

[Craig]

:welcome:


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[stoney]

Welcome r

[mini mad andy]

:welcome:

[Eddie_JCW]

:welcome:

[Jonathan14]

:welcome: I am in Inverness so not that far

[leedavenport]

yep, not far. i am in inverness every day for work

so best get searching for my convertible. any things to watch out for? im totally new to the whole mini scene so havent got a clue really

[jdl_1967]

Welcome, they're generally hardy wee cars, but as with all cars have their issues.

The serpentine / supercharger belts need to be tip top condition, if they snap they can take the tensioner and crank pulley with them, about £350 in parts alone. Belts are cheap though and if no record of when last done, change for peace of mind.

Front wishbone bushes wear quickly, you'll get vague steering / wandering. Parts are cheap, labour can be expensive.

Steering columns can go to, I thinks its usually just the bearings, but not sure if these are replaceable. Notichness in steering can be a symptom.



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[Jonathan14]

5086I will keep a eye out for you, you can't miss me I stick out lol

[CiderFex]

Welcome, the right car will pick you soon enough.
:)

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[leedavenport]

Does the supercharger need regular servicing? How long would a supercharger last as a general rule?

[Gismo]

:welcome:

[jdl_1967]

The pre-facelift are different from the facelift cars, unless you get a JCW kitted car that have the later version supercharger.

Generally they don't need servicing, but I have seen forums where people say they have lost all their oil from them and they've seized.

I think it's a luck thing.

I don't know how smaller pulleys effect them, I'd imagine it would wear quicker, but that's a guess.


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[Mon the fish]

The charger does have a fill and drain plug, so it can be serviced, but most people don't bother.

A charger on a stock pulley should last over 100k, a reduced pulley maybe 80-90k. But it's just your luck. That said, if you hear grinding noises from it, it's dying quickly. And as the water pump is driven off it, if you keep driving it you risk your engine

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[Crombers]

Welcome to NMSland :saltireflag:

[Duncan Stewart]

Welcome

[Colin]

:welcome:

[MarkR53S]

Welcome to NMS. On any test drive, wind the window down and listen out for any clattery sounds coming from the engine bay. The Supercharger could be low on oil and then you may ask the question how long has it been like that? Doesn't necessarily mean that it is about to fail but something to listen out for.
I would also check the exhaust. The back box on the right hand side of the car when you look from the back is likely to be quite badly rusted. They tend to start to blow before the left hand side back box.
If when bought, you may want to consider replacing spark plugs as these are usually left in these cars for quite a long time.
As you start to go towards 100K the fuel filter is likely to want to need replacing as they get a bit clogged!