Servicing Advice Please

[yellow lab]

My 10 year old Cooper Sport is about to go for her annual MOT and service. I've done less than 800 miles since the last service and MOT and wouldn't expect to do more than 1,500 miles in the next 12 months.

Last service the garage replaced oil, oil filter, air filter and spark plugs. What sort of service should I ask for this year?

Many thanks in advance for your advice (I should add that I have no mechanical skils whatsoever so DIY is not an option).

[Cooperman]

Grease all suspension points
Change oil and filter - make sure they put 20W50 mineral oil in, not 10w40 as the Rover schedule lists for the later cars. You do need a good 20w50 Mineral. Suggest Castrol Classic 20/50.
Adjust the rear brakes and check the pads on the front.
Oil the door locks, bonnet hinges, boot hinges.
General all round safety and lights check inc brake fluid and clutch fluid levels.

That should be all you need with such a low mileage.

[yellow lab]

Thank you, that's very helpful information.

[cpas]

If you just require the book stamping, I would go for just an oil and filter change, and do all the little bits yourself - at least you know they've been done.

[tinks v8S]

oil 20/50 no other i always use halfords or millers classic
just changed mine
due to gear box on same change regular
halfords said to use semi sy do not use
only use MINERAL

[Cooperman]

tinks v8S said:

oil 20/50 no other i always use halfords or millers classic
just changed mine
due to gear box on same change regular
halfords said to use semi sy do not use
only use MINERAL

I use Valvoline Racing 20w50 in the rally cars and Castrol Classic 20w50 in other Minis.
Synthetic or semi-synthetic is really not good for the gearbox as you have said.
What do Halfords know about 1950's engine/gearbox technology anyway?

[cambiker71]

Cooperman said:

tinks v8S said:

oil 20/50 no other i always use halfords or millers classic
just changed mine
due to gear box on same change regular
halfords said to use semi sy do not use
only use MINERAL

I use Valvoline Racing 20w50 in the rally cars and Castrol Classic 20w50 in other Minis.
Synthetic or semi-synthetic is really not good for the gearbox as you have said.
What do Halfords know about 1950's engine/gearbox technology anyway?

Shell also recommend 10w40 semi synth for 1980s onwards minis (and metros) so far with nearly 30,000 miles on my daily ratty clubman using it i've not had problems, put 20w50 in another of my vehicles with a metro engine and now need a gearbox bearing, not sure it's related but damn.

[Cooperman]

The gearbox as a basic design never changed from 1959 to 2000. That gearbox as based on the A35 box and in the A35 the required oil was EP80 or EO90 gear oil. Thus, whatever oil you put in a Mini, it is a compromise as ideally the box needs an 80 or90 grade gear oil whilst the engine needs a thinner grade.
It has always been accepted that the best compromise is a quality mineral 20w50. Whilst a synthetic or semi-synthetic may be OK for the engine, it really is not good for the gearbox which needs a thiker oil to preserve the hubs and syncro cones. Even oil additives are frowned on because of the need for the syncro hubs to operate with a thicker oil.
So, compared to modern vehicles, a 20w50 is best. For engine/box preservation never start the car with it in gear and/or the clutch pushed down, don't drive off until the oil has circulated and pressure is built up, don't sit at traffic lights with the clutch pushed down and change the oil/filter very regularly.

[Fatboy]

Hi Cooperman,

What about a modern Motorbike oil - lots of modern bikes share engine and gearbox do they not? Would these therefore have better gearbox protection than a regular mineral oil?

[Cooperman]

I've no experience with modern motorbike oils and I always stick with the well-proven 20w50 mineral oil.
If the bike oil is a 20/50 mineral then it would almost certainly be OK. What has always surprised me is that Rover changed its Mini oil spec from 20/50 to 10/40 without considering the impact on the gearbox, whilst at the same time the Rover 200 was specified as needing a gear oil for its separate gearbox. But then, Rover engineering department was never noted for its common sense (think about the mixed imperial and metric threads on the braking system as a good example of Rover's stupidity!).

[guru_1071]

you should run 20/50 on any mini.

fancy oils, thin oils or motor bikes oils are fine UNTIL it starts baulking going into second - then you will think 'why did i use that stuff' as your saving up for a recon box!!! (and eventually the box will wear prematurly due to the thin oil - it just cannot cope with it)

i love people recomending unsuitable oils - makes me a fortune doing recon boxes!!!

Edited by guru_1071 on Monday 26th July 11:10

[Cooperman]

TJS10 said:

Quick question ... how many grease nipples and where are they located on a 2000 Mini Cooper Sportpack ? I assume front and rear suspension, steering rack ... maybe the handbrake cable

The car has just been serviced by a Mini "specialist", however the grease nipples on the rear suspension are dry and covered in dust and obviously havent seen a grease gun ! The garage explained that they had run out of time but will finish the paid for job if we take the car back. Rather than a two hour round trip I can easily use a grease gun and have suggested the garage sends a token refund.

Rather 'demand a refund' would be more in order. Who can you trust to do a proper service when they even miss out obvious items like rear grease points?
DIY is the only answer for Minis now.