With the price of parts for these Mini's being so expensive - I usually resort to 3rd party or used (car-part.com, allmagauto). But now - in trying to source a door lock actuator I'm pretty disappointed at the costs.
A new part is close to $200. Used is still up around $90. A used actuator is already a bit of a gamble as that part could go at any time.
More of a rant than anything else. Unless anybody has any other ideas for how to source a low cost part.

 

These R53 actuators are stupid expensive compared to BMW versions which can be had new for around $80. My '04 actuators works fine to lock the door but they simply don't have enough power to unlock the door -- gravity impact is my guess. I simply use the key to unlock. By the way, did you know that if you use the key to unlock the door you can simply turn it again, hold it and it will roll down your windows? Same thing works when locking it (rolls the windows up). Remote key does the same thing (as long as the actuators are OK).

 

There’s a few DIY’s here on NAM on repairing the module using a generic lock motor. This is the one I bookmarked: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...placement.html

It also has a link to an Instructables page that shows the repair steps, but by cleaning the old motor contacts instead of using a new generic motor.

 

I bought quite a few parts from the UK. Hell of a lot cheaper. Just takes some time to get here. Was pretty quick before the Civil. You can save 75% buy from there.

 

good too know. Any sites you might recommend?

 

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gen1mini/?ref=share

 

I was going to try the DIY repair option on the bad lock actuator that I had.......but once I got into it, it was pretty obvious that it wasn't worth the hassle. I went ahead and found a used one on ebay for cheap, and it's been working fine for years.