Hello,

My girlfriends 2006 Mini Cooper S a/c compressor went out and I am curious if you can give some advice/point in the direction of the best places to buy the parts.

Firestone quoted the following:

$577 for the compressor
$244 for removal and replacement of compressor
$63 for drier
$51 to remove and replace drier
$122 total to evacuate and recharge the A/C.

The part numbers given at firestone are DS2068 and RD1088LC

I found an a/c compressor on ebay for 228-345 but am curious as to the quality of them. Any advice appreciated. We live in the Miami area if anyone has any recommendations as well.

Thank you

 

Just did this myself. Went the ebay route. $249 shipped for compressor and drier. Claimed to be Delphi, but didn't have any identifying sticker. Working so far...
$300 is a pretty good price for labor, though it's not all that tough a job if you use the 'Rudy method' - remove lower engine brace and use a ratchet strap to pull the engine back a few inches. Gives access to the compressor bolts without pulling the front end.
My AC guy did the flush/fill for about the same $.

Note: Check your radiator fan and make sure the low speed is working. Common wisdom is that the rad fan low speed goes out, the AC compressor overheats and dies. I think that's what happened with mine. You don't want to replace your AC only to have it die again! Low speed should come on at 221degrees.

 

Mine went out this week too. After checking fuses and relay I determined the electric clutch was out on the compressor. I found you can buy just the clutch on eBay for $100. I was able to replace it in 2 hrs. Just remove the tire and the fender liner. I didn't even need to unbolt the compressor. Only later did I find a fellow member here found the same part and posted a video on YouTube. Good thing I did as I foun my crank pulley is just about to break. So I now get to replace that now too.