I'm planning on investing a good set of socket set for using on my 2006 cooper s.

Should I get METRIC or SAE? I know you can covert between the two systems but I'd like to get one that is designed for my car. Since Mini's are manufactured in Europe, I'm guessing metric?

Also, should I be getting a 6 point set or 12 point set?

Thanks for all your input.

Andy

6 point metric.

never use sae on metric or vice versa. not an exact fit and it will only wear out the bolt 6 point is an exact fit over the bolt head and 12 pt tend to have a small amount of play and wear out faster.

Buy metric, but also, you should buy a set of "Torx" sockets to go with the socket set -- 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 should be about right. Oh, and you will need an 8mm allen wrench to remove the oil plug, and a 27 mm socket to remove the oil filter assembly. It seems to me that a good Mini owner's tool set should include:

17 mm 1/2 inch drive socket and a torque wrench for the wheels
8mm allen wrench (or socket for the ratchet handle) for the oil plug
27mm socket for the oil filter.

8mm through 12 mm 1/4 inch drive socket set

10mm through 19 mm 3/8 inch drive socket set and ratchet handle

1/2 inch drive handle (or ratchet)

1/2 inch torque wrench that measures at least 125 ft/lbs.

10 through 30 Torx "wrench"s or sockets for the ratches mentioned above.

A couple of #2 phillips screwdrivers

A couple of flat screw drivers

A pair of needle nose pliers

and a good pair of slip joint pliers, the bigger the better.

With those tools, you can do just about all of the maintenance that most of us should ever undertake.

At least, that's my opinion (although, I have NEVER missed an opportunity to justify buying another tool -- I go to Sears to "shop" in the tool department while my wife looks for other stuff).

if your working on a mini, then metric

you forgot the brake caliper tool

This is not correct for an R53. Oil drain plug is a 1/2SAE socket and the oil filter is a 36mm socket.

you are wise to ask and I'll offer a few old'timer points....

While you can save a few bucks buying standard or metric today...you know you'll need the other down the road and perhaps you should consider the long term cost of one / other vs a combined set today.

You can buy a set of wrench/socket that to both but truth is they do neither well. Buy a set of each.

Lots of comments abound about 6 point vs 12 point mostly surounding the oil drian plug on a GEN1 but in a QUALITY set the difference is minimal IMO, Siince I have a FULL tool box I'd go 6 point tho....

BTW GEN1 drain bung is a sloppy fit on the MM recommendation .... use a 1/2 inch

oil drain plug is a 1/2" SAE.

Don't ask me why.

A 13mm on there will round it off. Ask me how I know.

On my car, the oil filter housing is a 36mm.

Same on my 2002.

To add another essential tool, I think an additional Torx head would be a size T50 or T52 (don't remember which size) for the Torx screw which holds the rotors on the hub. Buy a couple of backups, too, in case you break the item trying to back out the blasted screw. For reinstalling said screw, be sure to have some anti-sieze on hand for future brake rotor jobs.

I dont know why but like the poster below stated about the oil drain plug being a 1/2" socket, I swapped my rotors for JCW drilled/slotted ones and also replaced the pads...all sockets I used were SAE not metric! Metric wouldnt fit. The only explanation I have for this is that if you look at your window sticker when you buy the MINI new, it states the percentages of parts made here and there...maybe that has something to do with it? Dunno but the bolts were definitely SAE on the caliper brackets etc, other than the rotor torx bit.

Get a set of each in both 6 point and 12 point. Then do the same in deep well too. Also get a set of torx in both metric and sae.

Then get a good set of screwdrivers both flat and phillips.

If you buy Craftsman from Sears then you only buy it once. If it breaks, you take it back for a free replacement.

If you're buying these just to work on cars, you only need a metric set. Even American brands use metric these days.

Harbor Freight is also a good place to buy tools -- great prices and lifetime guarantee...

Buy a set from Metwrench. They are designed to fit both metric and SAE.