Recommissioning an r56

[dirky dirk]

Senior management has been given a mini.
We will transfer our plate and use it as our main car I think.

However it’s not moved for two years, just ticked
Over.
Is there anything in particular I need to do to get it mot ready?
I Don’t expect it to be a money pit,
I was thinking of nursing it back home, a good wash, and taking it for an MOT, and
Then a mini service and whatever it needs to pass

Is there anything else I should be aware of ?

[dirky dirk]

Bloody things as flat as a dodo
Been round with the jump leads. It’s kind of gets in the throws to start but doesnt.
Any ideas

[dirky dirk]

It’s dead without a jump start
With it it’s literally a 1/8th of a turn.
It’s not at the point where it’s catching

[dirky dirk]

Over a month ago.
It’s got a new battery, but it’s not been started with the new battery very much if at all
Just left on the drive.
So it could be the battery’s had it

But it’s also not starting on a jump start either.
If I could get it going I’d get the battery tested.


Also can I get the paint code off the chassis no. ?
Wanted to order a touch up brush.

[dirky dirk]

How do i do that?
I didn’t try to start it
I was on the jump starting car

[dirky dirk]

I took the battery off and it’s a start stop agm one.
And the bloke said it needs a decent charger it’s just flat bit ok.
It was 11.4 volts and 34 amps, but he reckons it’s not knackered because its not 9 or 6 volts
So I’ve brought it a fresh new charger and conditioner and it’s on charge overnight
If it’s still flat then it’s knackered and I have the guarantee and it’s getting replaced.
And I’ll get my money back on the charger.
Free cars cost £110 so far 🤔

[dirky dirk]

Batteries still not charged
I think I’ll take it back at dinner

[dirky dirk]

E-bmw said:

dirky dirk said:

And the bloke said it needs a decent charger it’s just flat bit ok.
It was 11.4 volts and 34 amps, but he reckons it’s not knackered because its not 9 or 6 volts

11.4 volts is flatter than a flat thing.

12v batteries are actually 6 x 2.1 volt calls in series so should be 12.6 volts fully charged, every 0.1 volt under that is 20% of its charge lost so 11.4 volts is completely flat.

Senior management took it back and exchanged it,
so it will have a new battery in it tonight, (the brand new one has also been on charge as well)
ive been and got oil and air filters for it, and ive got some oil and a few bits coming for it over the next few days,

[dirky dirk]

It lives!
Managed to get it home.
Started first time,
Near side rear brakes are sticking but other than thst it’s fine
A couple of dry Weekends will see it roadworthy
Can see the attraction with them

[dirky dirk]

I think its got the death rattle

I changed the oil, filter,air filter, pollen filter,
Autosol on the alloys, greased up various hinges, jenolite on a few bolts,
Tomorrows cleaning day,
Dont want to drive it until the belt and tensioner is done.
Nest week, ill book it in and get it an mot

[dirky dirk]

I’ll get the timing chain and tensioner done.
It’s quieter after a oil change
And the rattle does t start as quickly as it did

Bit it needs the chain and tensioners doing abs a sticky calliper
The car was free so it’s not so bad

[dirky dirk]

Two days into a three day clean starting to get there

[dirky dirk]

stevemcs said:

If it needs an engine we have one at work

So far, an electronic belt tensioner and a caliper
But thanks

[dirky dirk]

So a little update

cars been MOT'ed Taxed and insured and running well,
handful of other little jobs to do,
one being replace a rusty fog/side light, give the arch liners a good clean, replace rear wiper blade, but all in all im really impressed,


Even though its a lowly 1.4 90 bhp one, it feels plenty quick coming form my Berlingo and senior managements Qashqai.

Im not insinuating its fast but it feels really nippy and ha a great little exhaust sound when changing gear,


i went out in it Sunday morning for a little chucking it about session, feels a bit skittish on uneven roads, but overall im staggered how well engineered and well built they feel,
it just feels so solid, i would imagine the cooper S is fantastic

[dirky dirk]

Quick update.
Nearly All jobs done, very slight oil leak and rear demister to investigate.
Then it’s complete.

[dirky dirk]

Its been running ok lately,
bit noisy on start up but soon settles down,

All four tyres are new, but only one is a pirelli, the rest are god knows what
Usually i put the best A rated wet tyres from a brand ive heard of,
But this seems to handle pretty well so far, and as they are all new ill probably leave it
I did buy some LED side repeaters and LED rear number plate lights for it,
just to get it how i want it,

Im really surprised how well its made though, very solid, dont know why but i always assumed it would be like a budget entry level quality, but its quite solid.

Thanks for the heads up about the wheels