Ask a MINI Motoring Advisor!

Sections: Uncategorized Jun 28th, 2004 45 Comments

MotoringFile is happy to introduce Ask an Motoring Advisor or Ask an MA today. The idea is to help those that have questions about the purchase, spec, or just about anything else regarding the MINI get some answers.

Our trusty MA works at a large MINI dealership and is well versed in all things MINI.

Here's how it works. Post the questions in the comments section below that you'd like to see answered. Then in several days we'll post the questions chosen and the subsequent answers. Questions will be chosen by the MA and not all are guaranteed to be chosen as I'm sure there will be some redundancies.

The Motoring Advisor responsible for the answers will remain anonymous but rest assured – he/she is a real MA!

So… ask away!

Note: While our MA may try to answer some service related questions he/she would in no way, be an authority on the those topics. Questions that a Motoring Advisor can easily answer would be things such as spec questions, release dates, and pricing to name just a few. Also Our MA can't look up details on specific production numbers or VINs.

UPDATE: We have closed this edition of Ask an MA. Answers to selected questions will be posted Monday. Don't worry if you didn't get your question in on time – we'll be doing this again soon!

Written By: MF Staff

RB

I have a reoccurring thump related to my steering left or right at low speeds. Goes like this… back out of driveway, turn right, while backing, thump, stop, into 1st gear, turn left to exit onto street, thump.

Or parallel parked on street, turn left to exit space, thump, turn right to proceed into lane thump.

Does not happen all the time and of course never for my rep!

One more thing, you can sort of feel it when it happens.

RB
RB

Wish this was a regular feature but I'm sure it would be quite a lot of work.

Thanks for any help offered…RB
Greg

I want to order a MCS Works manufactured after Jan 2005 (w/LSD) with a specific set of options. I would like delivery before the end of March 2005. I live in California. At what point should I go to a dealer and be placed on a waiting list to ensure I get an early 05 car? And what is the standard deposit required for a custom ordered MINI? Thanks.
James

I noticed that the second line item on the 2005 Individual Specs sheet is “Euro Delivery Price Munich Pick Up”. Does this mean that european delivery will be offered in 2005? And if so, what details can you share?

Thanks!
pete

hey, i have a 2004 jcw mini s, and i was wondering if i put a 15% supercharger pulley upgrade on it, will the jcw exhaust stand up to it, or will i need to change out the line?
NK

Since there's only rumors going on:

What will the specs for the 05 MCS JohnCooperWorks Kits be, and when will they finally be available (Europe and US)?

Thanks
http://XQZUMWA@WEBTV.NET Jan

I have asked the rep at the dealer and he didn't know. Thanks for this new service.

If I get my MINI with run flat tires and later want to change those to regular tires, will the “low pressure” monitor still work?
NK

@Jan: Yes, it's done throgh the antilock-brake sensors.
JiminVirginia

Does MINI plan any changes in windshield configuration (such as increasing thickness)?

Will the LSD in 2005 be a factory or a dealer installed option?

When would you guess a 2005 model will be available for a test drive? October-ish?
Doug Travis

What is the correct torq setting for the lug nuts on R90 wheels.
http://chicagominiclub.com Victoria

Is there any easy, at-home fix for slight rattles in A-pillars, door insets, etc.? Everyplace I've got the silvertone dash trim, I seem to be developing noise that's dampened by pressing lightly against the trim. OR…is this covered by warranty? Thx!
michael Boice

I too am wondering about the 2005 JCW engine output…from reading here, it appears that for another $500 another 10-20 hp can be had???

And, what is the weight of the R90 wheels? i'm told they are a true two piece forged wheel which leads me to believe they are light.
Steve

I had the same steering thump as RB since last fall. The dealer could not feel/hear it then, and it is only a little worse now. Seems to be more prominent turning going uphill or downhill and when the car is cold.
RB

My car is a 2002 MCS…RB
Bill

Can a Harmon Kardon System be added at the dealership later? I really want to install that system now.
scott

Will installing a CAI cause me any hassle when i take my car in for service?
http://www.bancroftsonline.com Sean Bancroft

I have an 02 MCS. I recently noticed what seems to be a defect in the rear bumper. Their is a horizontal outward crease about 6″ long. The crease is prortruding outward from the bumper as if the plastic buckled outward. It is pretty subtle, but obvious once pointed out. I had my indsurance adjuster examine the bumper. In looking at the bumper together, my adjuster showed me that it couldn't be the result of another car or object striking the bumper becasue their are none of the tell tale signs (i.e. scrathces, rubbed off paint, scars, etc…). It seems to me that if it is in no way attributable to any sort of accident, then it must be a defect. Have you heard of this before? Should this be a warranty item?

Thanks
Ansel Olson

At idle, there is a sound under the hood like a low whirring soft moan, it undulates a little. The sound goes away as the car starts driving. Is this normal or is it a struggling fan. Any idea?

The car is an 03 may MCS.
Tim Murphy

The gearing in the 05 MINI is said to be 'shorter'. Is this a lower final drive ratio? or Are the individual gears lower? If so, are the ratios available?

The brake pedal on the non supercharged Cooper seems to be firmer than on the MCS, why is that?
Peter

Considering the slight changes to the '05 bumpers, will there be any changes to the '05 aero kit?
David

Simple question,

Do you know the average wait time for orders for an MCS?

I want to order an '05 MCS around the end of the year.
http://www.pbase.com/ottawa_tony/route66 Tony

Will the JCW Kit ever be a factory option?

Seems silly to pay for parts that will never be used, are stripped out of your car and replaced with new ones.

Thanks
Wayne

I'm two hours from a MINI dealer. What aftermarket coolant can I buy for my '04 mC? I want to top-up my tank.
Bob

I will be purchasing the Cabrio in the U.S. in 1/2005. 1. Do you have any idea about the automatic, 5 or 6 gear, what make. 2. Will the U.S. be able to spec the automatic folding electric side rearview mirrors that is offered in the U.K.?
heather

I am seriously considering purchasing a Mini, but with all the changes that are coming should i either try and get a 2004 or wait until 2006 to make sure all the bugs are worked out…?

thanks for your time
SB

The JCW website shows the JCW Sport Seats as an option. My dealer has little information on these seats … although they do seem to have stock numbers. Can you shed any light on price and availability in the US? Is this a dealer added option or factory installed option? Thanks
Jeff

When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?
Gianni

When is MINI USA going to revisit the dealer allocation policy so it is more in line with demand? Here in the NW US, the WA dealer has an 18 month wait for an MCS and isn't taking new orders at all and the OR dealer has a wait of 11 months. I see on the other boards the wait on the East Coast is a month or two at most.
Joey

I am torn between buying out the lease on my 2001 BMW 330xi or purchasing a 2005 MCS w/ automatic. What do you recommend? Keep in mind in live in snowy Ohio. Problem is my lease can only be extended until Feb. and not even sure if the 2005 MCS w/ automatic would be available.

Thanks
Tom

How can I find out what updates/service bulletins have been issued that cover a specific VIN#? If MINI has identified specific problems with my car I would like to be able to have them fixed before the warranty expires. An example would be the powersteering/cooling fan problem on the early cars. Is there a service bulletin that can be performed even if I have not had a malfunction (yet)?

Thanks,

Tom
Chris

Will the standard non-MFSW 3 spoke steering wheel be leather for 2005?
Dave

I wanted to reiterate this question:

Jeff / June 29, 2004 1:16 PM

When will the Bluetooth hands free phone option be available for cars with the HK stereo system? Will it make use of the buttons on the steering wheel, or be a dash mount button?
Rex

hi..we have a production number and are “on order” for a 2005 jet black mcs to be here mid – september or so. :) when ordering we chose the 17″ s-lite wheels…we picked the all season tires thinking they might help with the ride comfort and last longer. are we right?? pros and cons of the all season and the performance tires, please?
Dave

I was wondering if any of the '05 options could be added to an '04. Such as the Universal Garage Door opener?

Thanks!
pete

i was wondering the correct torqe setting for the lug nuts on the S-lite wheels, and if you know the torqe settings for the jcw 18″ rims, and how much they wheigh, thanks
John

Question #1/#2: What's the real reason a british accent isn't available on US MINIs? Is MINIUSA considering adding it, again (it used to be available on older models)?

Question #3: Why isn't Apple's iPod BMW/MINI hook up available for cars with Nav when Dennison's (sp?) Ice-link works? Apple's kit seems very limited.

Thank you for your time, and consideration. And, thank you, Gabe, for organizing this.
dave

I would like more details on the 1-05 MCS Automatice transmission. How much? 5 or 6 speed. Paddle shifters? Is it a clean sheet of paper design? Thanks
dino

just ordered an 05 MCS and paid sticker. i called 9 dealerships and got a variety of answers to the quesiotn of price negotiation.

some dealers were charging over sticker while others claimed to be espousing saturn's model (no negotiation) for dealer and customer ease.

is there a MINI policy on this? should i have kept looking to find a way to get a better deal or does the demand make this impossible?

thanks d
peter

Seems to me there are a bunch of “service” related questions here that are not the domain of a MA. I think folks should be directed to pose questions that a MA has ability to properly answer. Nice feature. Interested to see the answers.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Yeah Peter that's a point I was going to bring up.

While our MA may try to answer some of the service related questions he/she would in no way, be an authority on the those topics.

Your best bet is the local service department or a MINI forum like North American Motoring or MINI2.

Questions that a Motoring Advisor can easily answer would be things such as spec questions, release dates, and pricing to name just a few.
Peter

Are the 2005 Xenons 'adaptive' (i.e. do they swivel in response to steering input)?
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Pete – I can answer that real quick. No – they just have range control. That means they self level like the current ones do.
CK

Is there anyways for me to improve the fuel consumption of my thirsty little Mini One CVT. It is drinking some 1 litre for 8.5 km. And I am definitely not a driver with a heavy right foot. I also avoid jams and do not idle the engine. I have a K&N filter dropped in. Thanks.
pete

hey, sb, i do have the jcw sport seats installed in my of s, but they are basically just sparco seats wtih different apolstery. if u go to the sparco website, you will find the exact same seats, with the jcw logo on them, i suggest you buy these, and call john cooper works for the leather, and have them apolstered how you want them. beleive me, this is a way easier thing to do than having the whole seat imported from england
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

About those sport seats. i just posted this comment to another story:

'In other news it seems that MINIUSA was working on putting side airbags into the JCW seats for sale in the US. The person I spoke with wasn't sure how that was going but he seemed to think if it didn't work they would still offer the seats but label them for “off-road use only”'

BTW Pete – when do you get pics of that car – sounds incredible!

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