I have to replace the drive axles on my daughter's 2003 Mini Cooper S along with the struts. Any suggestions on which to do first? I have also decided to do the inner and outer ball joints while I have it all apart. Watching videos on line it looks like the drive axle needs to be out to get at the inner ball joint bolts. My plan was to start with the rear shocks first because they look the easiest and it would be a good confidence builder. Next go after the front struts put one side on then move onto the drive axle removal and replace the ball joints on that side. After the inner ball joint is in replace the drive axle then outer ball joint before moving to the other side. This Mini has had several owners and the struts have original factory markings on them I hope they come out with out any problems. On a positive note the strut towers have no mushrooming and I do plan on adding the reinforcement plate and replacing the front strut mounts. I also plan on draining and replacing the manual transmission fluid since I will lose some installing the drive axles. I was actually going to catch a sample of fluid and send it off to Blackstone Labs to see what we are dealing with.