6 replies to this topic

[noddythegit]

Hi everybody, new classic Mini owner here! (finally) :) Just bought a 1991 Rover Mini Mayfair (Carb & Manual) and already It's the best car I've owned!

But like many of you, I want to look after the car just as well as I do myself ;) Can anybody give me tips on ANYTHING to help maintain the car? It's only got 37,000 on the clock so It's in very nice nick just don't want anything bad to happen.

What petrol should I be using? I mean we have Unleaded 95 octane.. Super Unleaded at 97, 98 & 99 octane..

Then theirs the engine oil. Castrol Classic 20w50?

Plus can any of you share any previous motoring and mechanical experience good and bad?

THANKS FOLKS!

Regards,

Noddy.. (just a name thats stuck!)

[jsiggee]

I use standard unleaded and put 10w40 in mine runs smoothly with no hitches.

[jaydee]

Castrol classic is quite poor, use millers 20w50 although expensive it lasts longer and offers way better engine protection
Below 5deg any 20w50 will be very thick at cold start so a good 10w40 wuold be a better choice over winter.

[shabir]

i use mainly shell fuel save, its the cheapest and closest fuel to me, have tried optimax and to be honest i felt no difference on the mini. as for oil dont know what was in there before but i know the car didn't like it, chaged straight away to 20w50 and she loved it, cant remember the make.

[myredmini]

The gearbox uses the same oil as the engine which is why 20w50 must be used to keep your gearbox in good order.

[jakejakejake1]

I use standard fuel too, and you shouldn't need to run any different unless you have modified your car.
I use Halfords Classic 20W50 oil in my mine (the one in the metal container).

Certain little things that can help with running a mini:

• Keep the dashpot topped up with oil (which oil is a can of worms, but most agree that whatever oil you use in your engine or 3in1 in a good start, depends on a lot of factors etc)
• Learn about the crappy amazing ignition system that minis are blessed with as this is the root of a lot (most) running problems.
• Make sure to change the oil and filter regularly (I normally do it every 3-4k) as minis gearbox and engine share the same oil.
• Generally get the know under the bonnet! I'm not saying minis are unreliable, just that when something does go wrong its normally an easy fix
• Oh yeah and the forum has the answer to pretty much any question you can think of, but if its a basic question search before asking as its almost guerenteed that its been asked before and people get tired of answering the same question 10 times a day, the search function here isn't the best, I much prefer to use this:

http://www.google.co...663:wi6fxyn0cr8

[KernowCooper]

Any new classic mini owner should get Dinatrol/Waxoyl and treat the sills/A Panels and every you can get some in and make sure you do the subframe cavity more is better in the Classic Mini, if its got a hole spray in it. (Body not Engine