Don't know why, but my original post isn't viewable for some reason. Sorry if this is reposted.

I've called five different European-auto shops in a 60 mile radius (three of them being HIGHLY recommended here by NAM), and they all gave the same answer regarding clutch-coil replacements for A/C:

"You NEED a new compressor. Period."

In their defense, Mini doesn't make just the clutch-coil, so maybe don't know that you don't need to buy the entire compressor. But when I explain that I'm able to acquire the JUST the coil:

"We don't have the tools to replace just the clutch-coil"

So my question is this: is there ANY place in Northern California (hopefully near the Sacramento-area, but I don't mind driving to the Bay if I have to) that is able to diagnose whether the compressor or clutch-coil is bad, and be able to replace just the latter if it indeed is the issue? I'd say this is a really specific issue that not a lot of techs would know about, but it looks like a HUGE prevalent issue with the Mini's that I have no clue as to why several techs are unable to do this.

A simple search and I came up with:

"… the main clutch related issue seems to be the clutch COIL which all I had to replace."

"Thankfully, replacing the A/C compressor clutch coil isn't too expensive or difficult to repair. Most shops will tell you the coil is not available alone and that you have to install a new compressor - a very costly repair. This is not true!"

"What happened to mine was that the clutch coil went "open" or no longer was a circuit and did not flow any power, so it did not energize. You can test for this condition by using the multi-meter on "ohm" setting and using the relay socket going to the clutch... The part is hard to find but I managed to find one on ebay of all places new in box. was only about 120$ and fixed the car!"

"… had the part and was able to put it on the same day for $260.00 total parts and labor! He told me that he gets a couple of Minis every week and reached behind his office desk and pulled out the belt adjustment tool! He told me that they don't even take the bolts out and drop the compressor. They've figured out how to replace the clutch coil while the compressor is still bolted in place."

There's even Youtube videos on the issue and replacement! (Google, 'mini cooper clutch coil')

Northern California Mini "specialists" indeed.

 

I'm guessing that they can't warranty just the coil if something happens or does not work. My AC was out when I bought the car had the compressor replaced with a new one. The new compressor siezed up in about a month. Got it fixed for free because of the warranty on the compressor. If you can get the part try and do it yourself save some of the your money.

 

Same story with getting an alternators bearings and brushes replaced....
You can DIY it, but shops would rather swap out a part, and not take a chance of eating a few hours a labour, and throwing out new parts if the "fix" is not what was needed to make everything work.....
Look at it this way....
If you are going to pay a guy $140 an hour to work on a car....time is money....remember, by fixing a part (on an alternator or ac compressor) you are only getting the REMAINING Life out of that part....and depending on miles....it may be wiser to junk it unless you are diying it......
If YOUR time is free, then some things like reoiling a sc makes sense...but at $140 per hour....no clear answer.

 

So, here's the issue as I can see it.. (assuming this is an r56 type design..)..

The compressor is on the lower passenger side of the bay, its very easy to get to.

I've taken compressors apart to replace clutch coils.. here are the major issues that some people (techs) have with just replacing the clutch coil.

1 - The clutch coil breaks off the nose or front snub of the compressor. Heat, age, and corrosion can set in and and make it hard to pull it off without damage.

2 - Often, the bearing and the clutch plates can get damaged in that process or removal and further damage the compressor nose, the same bearing and clutch plate has to be replaced or reused. I personally would never do this job without replacing the bearing and plates.

IF the nose of the compressor is damaged, or breaks off, or does not allow the bearing o be remounted, then you are screwed.. you are not going anywhere because you can't run the car without a serpentine belt. Now the tech has to call you back, and tell you it won't work and NOW its going to cost more...

So most shops (including me) would just hang an entire reman compressor and know the job won't run into problems..

A quick look around shows its also hard to just source this compressor coil without a whole compressor being replaced.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...37&hg=64&fg=50

 

That would make a little more sense. But the my R35, being already out of warranty, wouldn't matter. Unless, you're talking about warranty of their services, which I'm not sure if they even do that.

All of this is besides the point though. The coils (Ebay) or the compressor (most likely a remanufactured Delphi) wont be under Mini's warranty in any shape or form, so either way, the whole "scared to void warranty" is a non-issue. Plus... they "don't have the tools" to do this.

Yeah, I understand. It's just that... how long does it take to take out a multi-meter, flip open the fuse box and get a reading? As far as replacing the coils go, I doubt any shop knows how to do that without taking out the entire compressor (like the shop in Florida from my original posts' quote did).

In the end, you may be right. The coils cost around $90 and an remanufactured compressor runs $170-$200. I might be saving money going with the entirely new compressor.

Totally forgot to mention that this was for an R53. Sounds like a fun little DIY, but I neither have the necessary tools nor the entire day (never even opened the hood on a Mini and from what I hear, it's a complete cluster-muck down there, so it may take a while for me)

Thanks for the link. I might go that route instead of buying a reman Delphi or something. (EDIT) NOPE. $700 for the compressor on that site? Going with the remanufactured!