Been a huge BMW E36 M3 guy since Oct of 2005, ended up with a fully built 99 M3, gutted, caged, race car, full aero, but with a recent marriage and other responsibilities, I had to sell that toy.

I do tons of side work, and wrenching as I'm an active duty military member in the US Navy and need that side income to supplement as we all know, we dont get paid enough.

Just bought a 2003 Mini Cooper S that needs a HG (burnt valve) and a new clutch.

Looking for recommendations on parts "while I'm in there", DIY links, or any other useful advice from the experience guys.

Appreciate it

 

Congrats, came from the E30, E34 world myself back in the day and now had a R52, R58, and R56.

DIY links are all over.

For the clutch R53 :

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...utch-disc.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ease-help.html

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...tches-r53.html


Head work:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-rebuild.html

 

appreciate it. Looking forward to digging in, and tearing this thing apart

 

Miss my e36 But love my r53 more

 

Welcome and congrats.

 

Welcome to NAM! Be sure to check out our tech articles on our site under MINI > tech info (tab at top) for a lot of DIY content to help you while you wrench on your new-to-you MINI. If you need anything just let me know.

 

Have been checking some of the websites, and the one I want to use, seems to be charging quite a bit.

$140 for shipping?!?!?! you kidding me? Its a bunch of gaskets/hardware/water pump/etc. Nothing big or super heavy.

Any places do a discount for military? I hate being a cheap ***, but spending $1400 and then another $140 for shipping is crazy to me.

Here is what I need

Bentley Manual
Timing tool kit
Valeo Flywheel/clutch and guide tube
Powerflex CAB
Complete Engine Gasket Kit (oil pan, headgasket, S/C gaskets, crankshaft, front, rear, valve cover gasket, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, etc)
Dipstick o-ring
Exhaust manifold bolts
Exhaust manifold flange gasket
Head bolt set
Oil Filter (x2)
Drive belt
Oil filter housing gasket
OEM water pump
Thermostat housing w/thermo and o-ring
water pump hose
3-way coolant pipe
4-way coolant pipe

Any help would be appreciated. Otherwise, I'll start price checking the other places.

 

Well that is a laundry list of parts to ship out, especially if it's not all from the same location. I have a dipstick o ring brand new in the package you can have for the cost of the postage if you want it. The dealer didn't install it when I had them Change my oil pan gasket.

 

Depending on if you were checking with us or not, I might be able to see if we can help you out with shipping. I'm assuming you're out of the country as we do offer free shipping over a certain price. Shoot me a private message and I can see what we can do for you.

 

Ended up being $40 for shipping from the vendor, and his prices were below almost everyone else.

Worked out, and had everything shipped to my buddies house down the street from where I'm moving into. Even had the Mini delivered to the house on Saturday. Cant wait to get back from this deployment and tear into it

 

are you gonna track the mini too? my r53 is setup for autocross and I've been contemplating picking up a E36 for track duty

 

Not tracking the Mini. I bought it to flip it actually. Going to knock out the work, drive it for a month or so, and flip it.

E36 track toys are amazing. Mine was a fully built, caged race car when I sold it. Built S52 3.2L NA motor (280rwhp/258ft/lbs) and weighed 2670lb without me in it. Ran 2:07.xx at VIR full track. Needed full aero and some time to sort it, and probably could get into the :05s at VIR.

If you ever need any help/info on the E36, let me know. I've been working on them for the last 11 years, have done some major Youtube videos with 100,xxx+ views, etc.

I'll try to post some pics if I can get wifi (i'm on deployment with the US Navy)

 

Glad things worked out.