Hi All,

I am new to the world of Coopers, but old in the world of German mechanics. I have been an Audi/VW guy for a LONG time and I am very much a Lotus guy (2005+).

However, honestly I was going to stay out of the cooper world, but my wife liked the body style, and I needed a commuter car so...here I am driving a:

2008 R56 Cooper (non S), with the N12 engine, 6spd manual, and all the bells and whistles that can come with it. Bi-xenons, winter package, non working stereo LCD, etc...

I have done 2 motor flushes on it to do a thorough engine clean, fresh 0w-40 oil, trans fluid Redline MTL/75w-90 combo weight, this weekend is a new valve cover, and I am about to do a coolant flush in the next month or so. Hoping to keep the N12 running til I can get my Lotus reliably back on the road. It's a turbo project that needs to finish getting a few things ironed out.

Then, when the n12 motor goes, I want to transplant a new engine/trans into the mini. I would REALLY like to put a 1.9l TDI engine from the MK3/4 jettas into it, but recently saw someone did a 1.8t swap. I am also looking at the k-swap path, but I hesitate, as I am a VW guy and know those engines well.

But that's me in a Nutshell. My heart breaks for all of us, as the Mini is a great little car...but Man did BMW make it a pain to repair. I just watched a video from "Mod Mini" on youtube changing the clutch on a cooper s, and I am dreading the day I have to change my clutch now. I can do a MK3/4/5 clutch in about 3 hrs...whole job, his looked like a nightmare...exhaust, sub frame, wiring harness, sheesh!!!

Anyways, hope to learn and share.

 

Welcome, tons of info on here. Use the little search box in the top corner with the key term problem or 11 digit MINI part number. 9 times out of 10 you can find it here.

 

Thank you ECS for that info and for the parts you provide. I have purchased a few things from ECS already...probably not the last either.

 

Glad to help an thanks for the orders!