We recently purchased a 2008 Cooper with 49,000 miles on it December 31. Since we have had an issue with the starter. When the button is pressed it makes a horrendous noise and the engine does not start. It did it once the first week and now more frequently. As a matter of fact it happened twice today. Mini dealer says it sounds like starter needs to be replaced after hearing a video of it and frequency. Of course when they had the car they could not get it to do it. So how easy is it to replace the starter? I have done starter replacements in the past on a truck but never on a Mini. Looking to save a little by doing it myself if possible. I would like to think I have the skill. Any insight is appreciated as this is our first Mini. TIA!

 

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/r...unting/Q9ZPIat

it is kind of stright forward. I would remove the intake box out of the way, get to the 13mm bolt from transmission side. then you have two E10, i think, bolts you can get the bottom. once free, you can work it out from the top, it's not easy, but it isnt hard either. be patient and take your time.

 

One more hint --- there's a dowel associated with the starter. When putting it all back together, install the dowel (item 5) into the starter, not the bell housing. If you install it in the bell housing first, it will go all the way in, and never engage the starter, causing improper starter alignment. Here's a screenshot from RealOEM ---