SO I have a 2006 JCW w/ Checkmate package... I have 85,000 Miles on the car. I took the car in to my local dealer and they let me know the Radiator Fan is only working in High speed mode, and the oil pan gasket is leaking. Also the idler pully needs to be replaced at it is squeeling badly. So, I am not very well versed in car repair but. I went to my local library and printed off all of the OEM parts for my car and all of the repair instructions I could find. Checked out the Bently manual for my car. Ordered the BMW tool for the serpentine belt. Also found this walkthrough http://r53minicooper.wordpress.com/2...s-r53-summary/

My friend is a decent mechanic and has offered to take a weekend and do the job with me. I figured we would do the whole thing at once since we have to pretty much take the whole car apart to get to the oil pan gasket. I also thought about replacing the tensioner stop/cable as someone suggested that this can be a good idea also..

Is this something I def cannot do myself. The guide and the Bently manual seem to suggest that with patience just about anyone with basic car knowledge could do this...? Let me know. Also any other things other than replacng the serpentine belt and oil and filter change that I should do while in there?

 

If you have common knowledge you can do just about anything. Sounds like you did the right research so you should be good to go. I would get a chiltons manual just as a fall back but if you have a mechanic pal you should be ok. Most of all have fun.