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Stock Problems/IssuesDiscussions related to warranty related issues and repairs, or other problems with the OEM parts and software for MINI Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
Intake hoses? Grab some pliers (not needle nose) and a small-ish flathead screwdriver. Put the blade of the screwdriver under the clip part and use the pliers to squeeze the clip together. Once it's over, slide the screwdriver out. Use the flat end of the pliers, not the side.
Ideally, use a set of ignition pliers - they look like a channel-lock, but are smaller (you can find them at Sears.) Full size work too, but the smaller ones make it easy. Put the top on the 'over' side, and the bottom on the 'under' side. Still takes some practice, but it works.
The best tool I've found is a set of wire strippers - the kind with the thin flat cutting jaws at the end. Mine are Belden, but there are lots of no-name versions. Totally effortless.
I took the easy way.... I bought some regular ones
ditto
or - if we're talking the big hoses for the air intake - there's no pressure to speak of on these lines and a long 'zip tie' works just fine. That's what some CAI kits come with.