Hello all. Just logging on because I picked up a pro ject that I am now working on. I have a 2008 mini cooper s model that was hit in the front and I am going to rebuild it. Now all I have to do comb through the classified and all the forums that I think I'm gonna need and go from there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Is this project to restore the car back to its original condition or is it a project for a faster, more agile car for tracking or such?

 

You might also want to take a moment and educate us on what your level of automotive knowledge, expertise and experience is. That will save everyone from posting information that you might already know and also help anyone posting to focus their response in a particular area that might be more helpful to you.

 

How about some photos........

 

OK, I am restoring the car back to original, using salvage parts, and craigslist and ebay, and, of course, the many mini forum markets. If there are some aftermarket bits that are cheaper, but just as good quality, or better, I am willing to do that. I'm not a purist, but I am trying to stay close to OEM as I can.

My experience is 25 years as an aircraft mechanic, along with many years building and maintaining roadracing motorcycles. I have also completed another project, which was a 2007 Ford Focus that was hit in a very similar fashion. This is going to be a father son thing, like the Focus, so we are learning new things together. The Mini should provide LOTS of opportunity to do this.

So with that, I would like to ask where I can find specific info about what this car has on it. I went to the Borg Warner site, to see if I could identify the turbo, and the BW number is not recognized by the website. HMM!? Also, where to get a service manual for it, is it best from the dealer, or somewhere else. I am also looking for assembly pics, as some of this plastic is way busted up, and I have no clue what pieces are still salvageable and what are scrap.

Hope this helps, and again, all your responses are appreciated.

 

OK, I am intending on restoring the car back to original, using salvage parts, craigslist, ebay and of course the numerous Mini forum markets. I am not a purist, but I want to try to keep as close to OEM as possible. If there are some aftermarket bits that are good quality, and reasonable price, I will use those.

My experience is 25 years as an aircraft mechanic, many years building and maintaining roadracing motorcycles, and I also did a 2007 Ford Focus project that was very similar to this. I am by no means an expert, but I have a good working knowledge of cars. I do all my own maintenance at home, so I am confortable tearing things apart and putting them together again.

This will be a father/son project, so we will both be learning the Mini, and afterward, we will both have fun driving the car.

With that said, I have a few questions for everyone. I started by looking up the turbo at the Borg Warner website, and it wouldn't recognize the number on my turbo. Its 53039700118. Anyone have any ideas? Next, I was wanting a service manual. Is it best to get that from Mini, or are the aftermarket manuals good for the Mini. I tried the Haynes manual for the Focus, and thought it was OK, but confusing in places. Of course, the Ford manual is no better so.... I am really needing a source for assembly diagrams. There is an awful lot of busted plastic, and I have no idea where some of it goes, if it can be salvaged, or if it is scrap. I am also trying to figure out what other model years will match up with the 2008, for things such as the hood, headlights, radiator support and such. I have been combing the forums, but haven't had much luck.

Again, any help is greatly appreciated!!

And, here is the sad picture.

 

If done right, you’ll have no problems... I’ve been driving the car for almost the last year with no issues.

Check out the link in my signature.


$23K in damage....


Mark

 

Well, I'll try to post this photo.

I am planning on restoring the Mini to original, using salvage, craiglist, ebay and the many Mini forum markets. I want to keep it as close to OEM as I can, but if there are some good quality aftermarket parts for reasonable prices, I would definitely consider them. I am not a purist.

I have worked for many years building and maintaining roadrace motorcycles, and have previously rebuild a 2007 Ford Focus, that suffered the same type of damage. I am no expert, but I can do almost anything on my own vehicles.

I am hoping to get some good information before I really start in with this rebuild, so it will be a while before I am zoomin' in the coop!

Thanks for any help and information in advance. It is all greatly appreciated.

 

OK, I have been trying to post a picture, but haven't gotten it to work yet, even with the directions in this forum. I did manage to get it into my gallery though, so take a look there.

As for my intentions, I am going to try to restore the car to original, using craiglist, ebay, and of course, the many Mini forum markets. I want to keep it as OEM as possible, but I am not a purist, so aftermarket stuff is acceptable, if it is good quality, and at a reasonable price for an increase in performance.

My experience is 25 years of building and maintaining road race motorcycles, and a previous 2007 Ford Focus project that was very similar to this. This will be a father/son thing, and we are both going to learn a LOT about the Mini before it is over. I am already trying to figure out what is on this car, and not having much success. The gal that sold me the car, sent me the original window sticker, which will help.

Here is what I have found:
-The part numbers on my turbo (53039700118 and 756542403) do not show up on the Borg Warner database webpage.
-The airbag?!? Some sellers say that all the 2007-2010 airbags fit, but the parts websites list different numbers for the 2 spoke, and 3 spoke sport steering wheel. (car has 3 spoke, multi function)

So that is just for starters. I'm going to need the general front crash parts, above the bumper. I am going to replace the engine mounts with Mini mounts, but am contemplating aftermarket parts for the hood, radiator support, condenser and radiator. I know that the aftermarket hood for the Focus fit just a little bit off. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance for all your help and advice. It is greatly appreciated.

 

First.... you have to upload your pic to a photo server, (ie. photobucket, picasso, blah, blah, blah... any one will do)

Then you copy the link where it resides and copy and paste it here.

Second, that is a VERY FIXABLE mini... you’ll need the front end sheetmetal wise, probably cooling and definitely radiator support.

Don’t try to buy a used front clip out of a junkyard, you’ll pay 2000-2600 bucks for one. If you could pick one up for about a grand, it would be worthwhile.

Easy fix... great find.

Mark

 

That Oscar rebuild looked like a great project, and it turned out looking VERY nice.

 

A couple of thoughts...

Call a salvage yard and get your airbag system. They will have a cross reference to tell you what will or won’t fit. I’m pretty sure any 2007-2010 will work, you may have to change steering wheels.

You can get a complete salvage srs system including control module, seatbelts, airbags, etc for waaaay less than half than new.

Airbags are either deployed or not. I wouldn’t think twice about using a used airbag setup. (HOWEVER, I would make sure I got the whole setup from ONE car, not an airbag from one, an srs control unit from another, etc, etc)

AND... one more thing. if you come across a deal with just one (driver’s or passengers) airbag (assuming you need both) don’t buy just one. You’ll have a hell of a time buying just one later.

HTH’s,

Mark

 

As it happens, that is what I am working on today, the SRS system. I actually have the estimate from the insurance company, and they are listing these parts to be replaced:
Air bag Module- Driver front
Air bag combination switch assy (the turn signal/wiper switch assy)
R Frt Air bag impact sensor
L Frt air bag impact sensor
L Air bag seat position sensor
Driver seat belt and buckle
Steering wheel

Might be kind of hard to get it all from one car.

I have the Bentley manual on order, should be here friday, so I am hoping it will tell me that I don't have to replace the switch assy, or the steering wheel, but probably not. It looks like the clockspring is in the switch assy.

Might anyone know of a salvage in the midwest that handles a lot of Mini stuff. I am finding that it is pretty hit and miss sometimes.

 

Providing you can find it, I think you’ll find it easier than you think to get it from one car.

The reason I say that is most salvage yards won’t sell one out of two airbags. If they sell them, they’ll want to sell them in pairs.

If you want me call around for the suppliers that we use, I can call for you if you want.

Mark

 

Hey Orange, that would be great!

 

Wow looks a lot like the car I started with. Send me your complete list of parts your looking for. Since I'm building a track car most of the interior stuff is being removed so I will have an airbag or two. You don't need to get it all from one car, heck you don't even have to replace the module it is reusable. For the radiator, core support you will want to go NEW, trust me I've been really cheap on my build and there is some stuff you just have to get new. Much of the stuff isn't available aftermarket, and used stuff is so expensive I would rather just have new. Also I just got another parts car I'll be picking up this week, it will be our first R56 for parts so we'll see what we have for you.

 

Way,

Why don’t you have to replace the module? They either need to be reset (and for that, I have to send them to a company in AZ) or replaced, you can’t just pop in a new airbag and drive it...

Focus,

We just did the repair on Way’s car, I’ll bet he’ll have a lot of the stuff you’re looking for since like he said, it’s a track car.

Mark

 

Well, my turbo should be here tomorrow, and working on getting some other parts here soon.

I got the Bentley manual yesterday, and I have got to say, it is pretty comprehensive. Just browsing thru it, and I can see that I have a lot of work to do, but shouldn't be too hard.

 

Well, this project is really a learning experience. As you can see by the previous posts, I am even learning how to work the forums. I posted the same response 3 times, because I didn't know how they worked, but now I think I have the idea.

Alright, here goes....I am looking for some parts. I have been combing thru craigslist, ebay, and such, and not having much luck with the small things. I am going to put out this list, and hope that maybe someone out there might have one or two of these things laying around.

Parts for 2008 Mini Cooper S

-Engine mount (adapter that bolts to block, and upper bridge)
-Transmission mount for 6 speed manual trans.(4 bolts with the rubber mount next to shifter linkage
-Air filter box
-Airbag (for 3 spoke steering wheel)
-Multi-function switch units on steering wheel
-Air filter box
-Inlet pressure sensor (sits on top of intake manifold)
-Bulkhead trim panel, Upper and Lower (plastic wall between battery and engine)
-Drivers seat belt and seat belt buckle

I am sure that the more I get into it, the more I will find, but this is a good start.
Let me know if you have these parts, and about how much you want for them. If you have pictures of them, that would be a big help. If you have any questions, you can contact me at focus4fun@***.net Thanks for any and all of your help

 

I might be able to help you with the air filter box and the inlet pressure sensor. I'll check by tomorrow and let you know. You may want to check with Way about seat belts, I'm sure he's putting in harnesses.

Mark

 

Hey, that would be great! I'll try to get hold of Way and see what he has. Thanks a bunch.

 

Couldn’t find my cold air intake (I still have on more place to check) but I do have the sensor. I’ll sell it to you for 55 including shipping. It’s brand new, I bought it, installed it and realized I had another problem. It’s over 100 bucks new.

Let me know.

Mark

 

I will take the sensor, mine is physically broken at the plug.
I was really looking for the stock airbox because I am not planning on putting a tune in the car just yet. It still has the stock exhaust and turbo, so I wasn't sure it the CAI would require a new fuel map. I'll PM you with my info.

 

Bear with me till tomorrow, I’m pretty sure I have the stock airbox laying around.

Mark

 

I would like to have the air box also. Thanks for looking.