It's no big deal to do, so can't see a reason for the reluctance, lots of anti-Mini techs on the planet though

 

SC service is easy.
I suspect its putting the car in "front service mode" is what they don't want to do, as it takes time.

If you have the space and a basic set of tools save the car and have a go yourself.

 

Then there's the BMW standard line that the SC never needs to be serviced and the petrol filter never needs to be replaced. I'm not a mechanic but I'm willing to give most things a go. Just worried if I get stuck putting it all back together again. I guess its one way to learn!

 

Yes, and gearbox oil is for life.

I'm not a mechanic either but I found it no problem at all. It can only go back on one way. Lots of tutorials on eBay, I watched a couple of those and went for it.
Also be prepared to replace the crank sensor O ring as its bound to be leaking, likewise the dipstick O ring. Both these came in the SC oil change kit I bought.
You will need the Aux belt tensioner release tool, I bought one on eBay for £20, worked perfectly.

 

Thanks for the tips. I'll do some more research. Looks like I need to start learning to do things myself if I intend to keep this car.

 

It certainly helps if you can work on the car yourself.

There is an abundance of knowledge on here which is generously shared.

Keep the forum updated as to how you get on.

 

My 53S is 19 yrs old, 78K miles. All service performed by me, includes suspension, brakes, coolant, supercharger, tranny etc. I do tranny fluid every 20-30K, oil at 5K. Plugs every three yrs. Did supercharger oil and waterpump together ar 55K. Not really hard to do, just time comsuming. Same with wifes R60 S Countryman, just have to be a contortionist sometimes.

 

My 53S is 19 yrs old, 78K miles. All service performed by me, includes suspension, brakes, coolant, supercharger, tranny etc. I do tranny fluid every 20-30K, oil at 5K. Plugs every three yrs. Did supercharger oil and waterpump together ar 55K. Not really hard to do, just time comsuming. Same with wifes R60 S Countryman, just have to be a contortionist sometimes.

 

My 53S is 19 yrs old, 78K miles. All service performed by me, includes suspension, brakes, coolant, supercharger, tranny etc. I do tranny fluid every 20-30K, oil at 5K. Plugs every three yrs. Did supercharger oil and waterpump together ar 55K. Not really hard to do, just time comsuming. Same with wifes R60 S Countryman, just have to be a contortionist sometimes.

 

Need two deletes.

 

Lifetime means lifetime of unit. Change makes it last longer.

 

This might be out there, but there's a show on TV called wheeler dealers , it's pretty much British and European cars
season 14 episode 16 - Mike does a renewal of a 2004 mini cooper s, MC 40 40th anniversary SC model mini cooper
They'll show the removal, service and reinstallation of the supercharger, and all other things needing the 100,000 BMW mini service , including a cabin headliner install. But the work needed to get to and service the sc and intercooler are quite detailed and well explained and will put you at ease of doing the job yourself. Also it will include the complete 100,000 mi. Service and how to go about it, in fact I'm watching the episode right now
Enjoy I hope this helps

 

It’s actually easier than WD make out.
You don’t need to change the water pump while it’s on the car when it comes out with the Supercharger and it can be done on the bench.

 

Yes, but I think he took the water pump out as well, to make sure it was good and to change the thermostat, as for the supercharger, all he needed to do was change the impeller gear oil
That mc40 is a beautiful mini
Good luck on your project . I know I love my mini and it's just a plain old r55

 

Yes, Ant took the water pump out and replaced it whilst it was still on the car, then took the SC out with the new water pump attached? Why not take out the SC, then remove and replace the water pump when he changed the oil on the bench? I've done it, it is so much easier that way.
The oil change is all the SC needs unless it's totally wrecked. Also no need to measure the amount of oil, just fill until it starts to overflow, like a gearbox.
I'm not keen on special editions, I think the stickers are tacky, especially the MC40 ones, so its no surprise to me that previous owners had removed them.

Ant didn't spot/care to mention that the car had been fitted with a smaller Kavs SC pulley either.

My project is pretty much sorted now, just the usual MINI maintenance, and of course the upkeep of an 18yr old car.

 

I'm with you on the stickers, the mc40 would've sold just fine, if the stickers were included, but left in the boot 😆 lol . And it would've looked a whole lot cleaner. I guess that's why the mini dealers left them off . The gen 1 mini , to me, looks smaller than my gen 2.
But BMW has done a great job of keeping the mini, well, mini over the generations. But they've kind of gotten off the track of the original mini with the newer gen

 

Gen1 still looks modern to me, an excellent piece of design.
I've also got Gen2 F56 and whilst its not so "cute" as the R53 I still think it looks good.

 

Once they went to 5 doors it completely killed the look. They just look wrong.