What do you recommend and why?

 

Bently, actually. It's like the size of a freakin' phone book all about your MINI.
http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/BO.../InvDetail.cfm

 

The Bentley manual is so much fun to read, plus it has never failed to assist me in any number of jobs, from replacing the air conditioning condenser or dropping the oil pan, to removing the rear bumper or pulling out interior pannels. The book is well worth the price.

 

+1 for bentley's. but it's expensive

most chiltons manuals i've seen are crap

 

That's why I enjoy this forum so much. You get responses that are worth so much. Thanks for your inputs!!! I'll have to invest in the BENTLEY's manual!!!

 

Mini Mania charges $119 and I found it at Barnes & Nobles for $86.00!!!

 

Amazon charges about $75 for the Bentley Manual. Chilton or Haynes aren't good enough to even be compared to the Bentley Manual.

 

Haynes and Chilton consolidated some time ago as one company/two titles, so the question is moot. Bentley is the way to go. (plus carrying it around will build up your abs)

 

Is there a version out that covers the '08 model year? Can only find Bentley's service manual for '02 -'06 Coopers.

 

wait around a bit, i'm sure bentley will publish one for r56

just fyi, i got mine from amazon and it has free shipping

 

Yea, I looked up Bentley's for my other car, a 2007 Dodge Charger SRT-8 Super Bee and didn't see a manual for it. I'm sure they do this on purpose. We will have to wait a few years to get one.