Hello everyone! Just bought a 2006 Mini Cooper Convertible (with manual) and have been perusing different forums. First time Mini owner, but have been a shadetree mechanic since my dad taught me in my early teens. I'm in the process of replacing a burnt valve in it and wifey is coming up with some new vinyl decals to put on it right now. I'll post some pics when we get further along in the project. Car's all torn apart at the moment, haha!

Geoff

 

Sounds good and welcome. Hail fellow well met and all that!

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of MINI topless motoring! You got the best of the bunch, Tritec engine and Getrag gear box both near bullet proof.
Some suggestions for further maintenance. If it doesn't have them, strut plate defenders on the front and replace the plastic coolant expansion tank with a steel one, the seams on the plastic one will eventually fail and we all know where that will happen. If it doesn't come with one, you'll want to do a search for the wind deflector, makes a huge difference at highway speeds.
I'll share with you my four reasons for running up that ugly black thing:
1. It is raining.
2. It is snowing.
3. My co-pilot/navigator is whining about being too hot or too cold and I can't hear the supercharger.
4. Some guys are throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
Awaiting pictures.

 

welcome from a fellow R52 newbie, plenty of helpful info here you just have to ask
Russ from down under