MINI R50, help required in old age...

[RiccardoG]

Hi All,

We have a 2005 MINI Cooper. Third car, owned 9 years, still on ~55k miles, full BMWSH. Its 90% used for local trips plus odd m-way run. The car scrubs up well, we love the shape (to our eyes still looks fresh after more than 20 years since launch). Everything works (a/c, pano roof, etc.).

But... its an old car with issues, see below:

- A/C this works OK but when really hot / parked in sun doesn't cool the cabin enough. Should I just run a gas recharge? Never had one in 9 yrs...
- Needs 2x front tyres. Wife wants to stay with runflats for peace of mind. Should I stick with Michelin Primacy 3 at £130 each or try Kumho Ecsta PS71 at £87? (rears are Conti SSR3 * marked RFT's)
- Water doesn't 100% drain from sunroof. You can hear a splash / woosh when first moving off after rain, car parked on slight incline. Have already put a wire through the 4x drain channels. Any ideas? This one is killing me...
- When its hot the doors creak like crazy when opened. Have tried WD40 in hinges, no difference. Seems a plastic rubbing, any ideas?

Any views or suggestions welcome!

Are there still any good and active MINI forums? I was on Mini2 20yr ago when I had my first R50, but that seems to have died now?

[Challo]

RiccardoG said:

Hi All,

We have a 2005 MINI Cooper. Third car, owned 9 years, still on ~55k miles, full BMWSH. Its 90% used for local trips plus odd m-way run. The car scrubs up well, we love the shape (to our eyes still looks fresh after more than 20 years since launch). Everything works (a/c, pano roof, etc.).

But... its an old car with issues, see below:

- A/C this works OK but when really hot / parked in sun doesn't cool the cabin enough. Should I just run a gas recharge? Never had one in 9 yrs...
- Needs 2x front tyres. Wife wants to stay with runflats for peace of mind. Should I stick with Michelin Primacy 3 at £130 each or try Kumho Ecsta PS71 at £87? (rears are Conti SSR3 * marked RFT's)
- Water doesn't 100% drain from sunroof. You can hear a splash / woosh when first moving off after rain, car parked on slight incline. Have already put a wire through the 4x drain channels. Any ideas? This one is killing me...
- When its hot the doors creak like crazy when opened. Have tried WD40 in hinges, no difference. Seems a plastic rubbing, any ideas?

Any views or suggestions welcome!

Are there still any good and active MINI forums? I was on Mini2 20yr ago when I had my first R50, but that seems to have died now?

For the AC its worth trying to get it re-gassed, They will advise of any leaks and if the system is still working. Potentially could be the condenser gone, or the compressor, with the latter being expensive. Avoid going to the big brands like Kwik Fit, find a local air con person instead.

I would personally ditch the run-flats and switch out to normal tyres. Stick a can of tyre weld incase one has a puncture and you need to get home.

Are you sure they are all clear? Any water in the boot?

Try some silicone lubricant which can be sprayed on. WD40 will dry out over time.

[RiccardoG]

Thanks for the feedback Challo.

For the AC I don't think that with a broken compressor or condenser there would be any cold air coming out, right? nstead.

I have two nearly new FRT's on the rear, not quite ready to chuck them away!

Yep, I do get some water in the boot... very little but some flows to the bottom under the tool tray...

[Challo]

RiccardoG said:

Thanks for the feedback Challo.

For the AC I don't think that with a broken compressor or condenser there would be any cold air coming out, right? nstead.

I have two nearly new FRT's on the rear, not quite ready to chuck them away!

Yep, I do get some water in the boot... very little but some flows to the bottom under the tool tray...

If you have water in the boot its worth having a look at this fix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2sR8BtlLEc probaly where your getting noise from.

In terms of the AC get it checked out, sounds like there is an issue but not clear what it is.

[RiccardoG]

Thanks again, useful link!

Btw, in terms of tyres, looking at your suggestion.... 4x non-runflats from a brand like Nokian or Kumho run to the same as the 2x front Michelins...

Do you know any MINI sites / forums where people discuss their tyres choices? Would be good to learn some MINI specific feedback.

[E-bmw]

There are no such things really, tyre choices are generic through all makes/models of car, and are more dependant on tyre/wheel size that car make/model.

Go for the best you can in the size you need & read up on sites like tyrereviews.com specifically the "all tests" tab on that one as you can see results from professional testers all over the EU/UK.

What size are yours?

[RiccardoG]

Thanks, sorry should've been clearer. I was wondering about any MINI specific forums where people might have discussed their tyre choices recently. I'm aware of MINI2 and NorthAmericanMotoring but neither seems that active for older MINIs? For BMW I use Bimmerpostm, for Porsche 911.uk... but I'm not sure what an equivalent site would be for mini (I'd expected Bimmerpost to extend to Minis too, given they're BMWs...).

Btw, I'm on 205/45R17 V 84.

[E-bmw]

If it were me I would be ditching the RFTs, run with a can of tyre foam in the car and upgrade to a set of these.



From tyres guru.



You could try minitorque for a forum, it has reasonable foot fall, but warning it is a bit geared towards modifying for performance, and can be a bit boisterous but all well meaning.