Over the past couple of years a very serious issue has reared its head in many a 2001-2006 MINIs (aka the R50/R53/R52). The problem stems from oil seals or gaskets going bad (usually towards the front of the motor) and allowing oil to leak from the reservoir. If unchecked this could result in oil starvation and engine detonation.
I own an R50/R52/R53, What Should I Do?
For starters go check your oil… now. If it’s not low, make a mental note of the date (or better yet write it down) and be sure to check it again once a week (to see how to do this, you can watch DB’s demonstration below). If your oil is low head down to your MINI dealer and pick-up some of that unique BMW/MINI Castrol synthetic oil. And remember, once your car is older, it’s generally not wise to change oil from one brand to another. Now once your levels are where they need to be, look under the front of your car towards the front of the engine. If you see obvious signs of oil on the bottom of the engine (or even on the ground) you’ve got a problem. Schedule an appointment at your MINI dealer or local independent MINI shop.
It’s the Todd and Gabe show! Some talk about the upcoming LeMons race, some more Speedster talk, more on the dreaded oil pan gasket leaks plus an AMVIV update with Andrew ‘Agro’ Ross. Full text of the update to follow very very soon, but you will want to book your room soon!
If you are an owner of an ’03 – ’06 MINI Cooper S (R53), be sure to take some time this week to check your oil! It’s simple and only takes a minute or two next time you are fueling up. Not fueling this week? Then do it when you get home from work in the driveway. Just make sure the engine is warm when you check it. Making sure you have enough oil in your crankcase will save you from an engine failure! In case you missed it, I made up a handy video how-to to help you out.
As mentioned above, we talked with Agro about AMVIV. There was a new email that went out this week that will be going up first thing tomorrow morning. If you want to get subscribed to the list, you can do that here.
Woofcast 308:
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With the Speedster, BMW has been successful in creating something that re-imagines the MINI. The new MINI has been as much about lifestyle as versatility at many moments over the last 8 years and nowhere is this more evident than the Speedster. With this car MINI is producing a product that is created to be nothing more than a style and performance statement.
Where the coupe has a surprising amount of interior cargo volume, the Speedster has a fraction of what you’d expect in a MINI. But does that matter? In a word, no. With all of MINI’s current other products we feel it’s an easy move to get away with. And what it does is create a halo product for the MINI brand that stops people in their tracks with it’s design execution. continued →
Today we’ve got something pretty special; a full tour of MINI’s Speedster concept. It’s our best look yet of the car and all of the angles that make it so unique. However even more interesting is that we finally get a good look at the interior and all the functionality included in the extra gauge to the left of the tach.
Just in time for a lazy Friday afternoon, MINIUSA’s online configurator has gone live with new pricing and new options including the Mayfair and Camden special editions options. So if you’re in the US, get clicking.
The ultra limited edition is set to get a 250 unit production bump bring the total made to 500. According to several sources MINI is doubling production due to more demand than originally expected from mainland Europe among other places.
It’s also been made clear to us that the US market is almost certainly not getting the car due to pricing issues. continued →
1st Gen MINI R50: One & MC Hatch R52: All 1st Gen MINI Convt. R53: MCS Hatch 2nd Gen MINI R55: Clubman R56: Hatch R57: Convertible R58: Coupe R59: Roadster R60: MINI Crossover R61: MINI Crossover Coupe 3rd Gen MINI F55: Clubman F56: Hatch F57: Convertible F60: MINI Crossover F62: Traveller
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Sections: DIY, Faults & Fixes, R53 (Coupe) Sep 29th, 2009 59 Comments 
