Hi everyone,

I did a search and I couldn't come up with anything, so direct me to the right place if someone has already asked this. I have a 2005 R53, and I jumped the gun by purchasing a Bentley Service Manual from a fellow NAM member, and failed to notice that it covered only until 2004. It was entirely my fault, it was a good price, and I just didn't look at the cover, haha!

At some point I'll probably sell it and get the right one, but I need to do a project rather soon, and I'm wondering if it would not be a good idea to use this manual in the meantime. THe particular problem I am dealing with is a creaking (and sometimes a single knocking sound) coming from the right front wheel when I turn the steering wheel. I have heard that this may be caused by a crack in the rubber bushings for the strut mount, or the power steering pump bracket. Do you think the 2004 Bentley Manual would be fine?

Alternatively, another question I have is, should I just bring this to my mechanic? He is a mini specialist, and I know he would do it right, and I don't have a whole lot of mechanical experience. I'm just wondering if I might save some money, or if I'm going to be wasting my time and having to bring it in anyway. Thanks.

 

The '04 manual should be fine.
The suspension on these cars can be tricky if you're not experienced. There's lots of parts that are difficult to remove due to bolts being inaccessible or parts that are press fit together. It might be worth having the mechanic look at it.

 

Thanks mrbean. I think I will probably just bring it in to my mechanic, as the tires need to be changed anyway and he can do that all at once.

I am at some point going to upgrade my suspension with coilovers, and I was determined to do that myself. It's good to know that the '04 Bentley manual will be good at least for that (although I'm not encouraged by your comments about the Mini suspension!).