Mini question.(Sorry not Rover related)

Malc. · 20th June 2018, 12:02

I purchased a mini last July for my wife to drive. The car was first registered in Sept. 2013 and the current mileage is 39,300,which I believe is genuine...
The two tyres on the rear appear original, however the numbers (4714) relate to a date about 15months after the car was registered.
Could it have been involved in a bump, that required two tyres to be replaced?
Or is there likely to be a different reason.?

Malc.

Fox3 · 20th June 2018, 12:11

I'd imagine its just as probable that the tyres had been hanging around the tyre fitters for a while.

Possibly transferred from the front to the back?

Hard to guess without the mileage, checking on the MOT history, how many miles did it have at first MOT?

Greeners · 20th June 2018, 12:15

I would assume it had a new pair of tyres fitted to the back, and the original rears moved to the front.

My Cooper S is heavy on tyres

Fox3 · 20th June 2018, 12:17

Just realised I'd not made much sense there, front tyres probably got replaced at around 15 months. When it needed rear tyres, they might have put the new tyres on the front, and the 4714's on the rear.

Also possible someones had a new set of four at 15 months, some company cars etc get all four replaced when its in for two

daveycooper · 20th June 2018, 12:30

Hi malc

I’m an owner of a mini from that same era (mine is a 2008). Without wanting to go off topic, but assuming yours is a petrol car with the Peugeot-derived engine, I just wanted to say make sure you keep a regular (at least every month) check of the oil levels. They can use a bit, and are prone to timing chain failure due to low oil.
Cheers
David

Malc. · 20th June 2018, 13:21

Hi David, Thanks for the kind thought, however the mini is a diesel, it had done just under 32,000 miles at its first MOT. (Sept 2016) and had done 36.500 miles when we purchased it almost a year ago...
Would an HPI check show up a possible accident about 15 months from registration?
I've already phoned our local 'Sytner' where we bought the car from, but they were no help at all.
Additional info, if it helps, The other two tyres are '1116', which would be fitted around 33,000 miles, I guess.
I am going to replace the two rear ones (these are Pirrelli) prior to the MOT, so I was just curious about the possible date difference...
Thank you for your replies.
Malc.

Lovel · 20th June 2018, 13:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveycooper

Hi malc

I’m an owner of a mini from that same era (mine is a 2008). Without wanting to go off topic, but assuming yours is a petrol car with the Peugeot-derived engine, I just wanted to say make sure you keep a regular (at least every month) check of the oil levels. They can use a bit, and are prone to timing chain failure due to low oil.
Cheers
David

I maintain my daughters 1.4 mini and whenever I get hold of it first thing is to check the oil level amongst other things. Your not kidding on the oil level front a serious omission from the sales brochure. Pity they hadn't fitted an oil level sensor as the only way you are going to find out is when the low oil pressure light comes on. Uses oil much quicker than my 46 year old car which actually uses very little.

I am led to believe that in order to decrease fuel consumption and appear to be eco friendly the engineers build larger tolerances into the engine so that it is not so tight, and less friction means less fuel consumed and emiisions produced. All very well on a new engine but once it gets to 50k plus you start having accelerated wear issues. For the last 4 years this car has struggled to get through the emissions despite no faults. Am concerned that next months MOT may not pass.

daveycooper · 20th June 2018, 16:03

Agreed!

Since Ive started using the very best oil (mobil 1 esp 5w30) its started drinking it quicker! Obviously quite a thin oil and car has been driven hard of late too which wont help. I’d say make sure youre using a fully synth 5w30 and do this change before the mot and see how it goes. I should say Im no expert, but I’m also aware that these engines are prone to ‘coking up’. Last time I was at my local garage there was a mini in getting de-coked using the crushed walnut shell method, which i beleive mini themselves use. Coking usually presents itself with rough running, hesitation etc but I wouldnt be surprised if poor emissions was a tell tale sign too. May be worth asking a local garage who does decoking to give you a view?
Cheers
Davey

daveycooper · 20th June 2018, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malc.

Hi David, Thanks for the kind thought, however the mini is a diesel, it had done just under 32,000 miles at its first MOT. (Sept 2016) and had done 36.500 miles when we purchased it almost a year ago...
Would an HPI check show up a possible accident about 15 months from registration?
I've already phoned our local 'Sytner' where we bought the car from, but they were no help at all.
Additional info, if it helps, The other two tyres are '1116', which would be fitted around 33,000 miles, I guess.
I am going to replace the two rear ones (these are Pirrelli) prior to the MOT, so I was just curious about the possible date difference...
Thank you for your replies.
Malc.

Hi malc
I believe an hpi only shows writeoffs so probably not worth doing (that said, i always recommend prior to car purchase as hpi’s are pennies to do these days). If the car was from a reputable gatage, drives fine, and goes through mot fine i wouldnt worry. Tyres can be on a car for various reasons, eg as others have mentioned, older stock. Dont forget many people are quick to skimp on tyres when needed and will buy secondhand part worns etc which could be years old etc etc. I’d stick a couple of new gd brand tyres on front and not worry any further.

Out of interest are yours run flats as mine are?

Malc. · 20th June 2018, 16:33

Hi,
Sytner did a HPI check prior to our purchase of it, (it's mentioned in some documentation that I have), although I haven't seen the results of the check myself. That could have been for their own benefit?
I wonder if I could get a copy from them? I'll phone them tomorrow.
Re. Runflat tyres I don't think they are, although it mentions them in the handbook.
My son runs a local tyre fitting service, so he will know. ( That will be handy)...
Regards, Malc.

20th June 2018, 12:02	#1
Malc. Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur SE Royal Blue. Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pembroke Posts: 295 Thanks: 7 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Mini question.(Sorry not Rover related) I purchased a mini last July for my wife to drive. The car was first registered in Sept. 2013 and the current mileage is 39,300,which I believe is genuine... The two tyres on the rear appear original, however the numbers (4714) relate to a date about 15months after the car was registered. Could it have been involved in a bump, that required two tyres to be replaced? Or is there likely to be a different reason.? Malc.

20th June 2018, 12:11	#2
Fox3 Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi and MG ZT 190 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 188 Thanks: 53 Thanked 45 Times in 30 Posts	I'd imagine its just as probable that the tyres had been hanging around the tyre fitters for a while. Possibly transferred from the front to the back? Hard to guess without the mileage, checking on the MOT history, how many miles did it have at first MOT? __________________ 2003 ZT+ CDTI

20th June 2018, 12:15	#3
Greeners Moderator MG-ZTT Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 19,798 Thanks: 161 Thanked 1,249 Times in 1,036 Posts	I would assume it had a new pair of tyres fitted to the back, and the original rears moved to the front. My Cooper S is heavy on tyres __________________ *David* Impecunity is the mother of ingenuity Useful how to's for common problems Car Of The Month Jan 2014 [SatNav Power Down] [Coolant Level] [SatNav Repair] [Diesel Non Starting] [Paint Codes] [Rear Light Seals] [Reversing Light Switch] [Bleeding Brakes][Sunroof Drain] [Early ZT's][Instrument Pack Diagnostics][ATC Diagnostics]

20th June 2018, 12:17	#4
Fox3 Avid contributor MG ZT CDTi and MG ZT 190 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 188 Thanks: 53 Thanked 45 Times in 30 Posts	Just realised I'd not made much sense there, front tyres probably got replaced at around 15 months. When it needed rear tyres, they might have put the new tyres on the front, and the 4714's on the rear. Also possible someones had a new set of four at 15 months, some company cars etc get all four replaced when its in for two __________________ 2003 ZT+ CDTI

20th June 2018, 12:30	#5
daveycooper Avid contributor 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: newcastle Posts: 150 Thanks: 23 Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts	Hi malc I’m an owner of a mini from that same era (mine is a 2008). Without wanting to go off topic, but assuming yours is a petrol car with the Peugeot-derived engine, I just wanted to say make sure you keep a regular (at least every month) check of the oil levels. They can use a bit, and are prone to timing chain failure due to low oil. Cheers David

20th June 2018, 13:21	#6
Malc. Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur SE Royal Blue. Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pembroke Posts: 295 Thanks: 7 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Hi David, Thanks for the kind thought, however the mini is a diesel, it had done just under 32,000 miles at its first MOT. (Sept 2016) and had done 36.500 miles when we purchased it almost a year ago... Would an HPI check show up a possible accident about 15 months from registration? I've already phoned our local 'Sytner' where we bought the car from, but they were no help at all. Additional info, if it helps, The other two tyres are '1116', which would be fitted around 33,000 miles, I guess. I am going to replace the two rear ones (these are Pirrelli) prior to the MOT, so I was just curious about the possible date difference... Thank you for your replies. Malc.

20th June 2018, 16:03	#8
daveycooper Avid contributor 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: newcastle Posts: 150 Thanks: 23 Thanked 23 Times in 16 Posts	Agreed! Since Ive started using the very best oil (mobil 1 esp 5w30) its started drinking it quicker! Obviously quite a thin oil and car has been driven hard of late too which wont help. I’d say make sure youre using a fully synth 5w30 and do this change before the mot and see how it goes. I should say Im no expert, but I’m also aware that these engines are prone to ‘coking up’. Last time I was at my local garage there was a mini in getting de-coked using the crushed walnut shell method, which i beleive mini themselves use. Coking usually presents itself with rough running, hesitation etc but I wouldnt be surprised if poor emissions was a tell tale sign too. May be worth asking a local garage who does decoking to give you a view? Cheers Davey

20th June 2018, 16:33	#10
Malc. Loves to post Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur SE Royal Blue. Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pembroke Posts: 295 Thanks: 7 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Hi, Sytner did a HPI check prior to our purchase of it, (it's mentioned in some documentation that I have), although I haven't seen the results of the check myself. That could have been for their own benefit? I wonder if I could get a copy from them? I'll phone them tomorrow. Re. Runflat tyres I don't think they are, although it mentions them in the handbook. My son runs a local tyre fitting service, so he will know. ( That will be handy)... Regards, Malc.