I see various vendors offering tools specific to one task on the MINI, particularly in the area of removing and installing pulleys. Before I buy such mono-tools, I was wondering if anyone has direct experience with any universal tools from the likes of Matco, Mac, and Snap-On. I'd rather spend more on a puller kit from Matco, which has a lifetime warranty and will work on a lot of other things than just my MINI, than to buy a single tool for a single pulley. I am concerned, however, that such universal kits will have clearance issues or there will be some quirk about the MINI that will make them useless. Hopefully a MINI mechanic can chime in here (although a dealership probably has a toolbox full of BMW-made tools).

Note: I am only interested in tools needed for the R53. I will own one for the rest of my life and will never own a MINI post-2006.

 

Most generic tools will work fine (some exceptions).
I've had good luck with a generic hub puller for removing the crank pulley, I just needed to buy the right sized bolts to mount it on the pulley.
One exception - you'll want to invest in the MINI belt tensioner tool.

 

2006 MINI Cooper Base Coupe L4 1.6L Search SiteSearch oil filter socket - OC-03 - 36mm 6-Point Oil Filter Socket - 3/8" Drive (ecstuning.com)

You will also need one of these if you plan on changing your own oil.

 

Just went through this a couple days ago with my R53. Had the supercharger out for a supercharger service, decided to install a 17% pulley at the same time. None of my pullers could even move the supercharger pulley a millimeter. I ended up cutting it off carefully and wasting something like six hours on it. If I could go back in time, I'd just buy the supercharger pulley puller, use it, then sell it on. For the crank pulley, I've had good luck with other pullers, but for my supercharger pulley, good lord, no.


Second the belt tensioner tool comment. It made such a difference I won't ever touch the belt again without it.

 

Interesting. Based on this and other research, I guess I'll have to spring for some uni-tools. At some point I will start a thread about diagnostic/programming tools, and I don't look forward to the results.

 

For what it's worth on that front, I've had really good luck with diagnostic tools. I use a lower-end Launch scanner, and it's been able to talk to everything successfully. Engine, SRS, ABS, even the electric power steering. I switched to Launch after giving up on my Snap-On diagnostics, and I've been quite happy with it so far. Worked great on my Land Rovers, too. Only place it seems to really be worse than Snap-On is OBD1, my version has no OBD1 support. Can't speak to programming, though.

 

Yep, and that's where I anticipate disappointment. I want to be able to maintain this car myself for the next 30 years, to include stockpiling modules salvaged from wrecked cars. And I don't have the time or inclination to hack/reverse-engineer the electronic bits. There's a reason why my R53 is the newest car I've ever owned and will probably remain that way.

 

I can second what has been said already. The belt tensioner tool is a essential one.



I replaced my supercharger pulley as well and bought the Cravenspeed puller for JCW pulleys which worked perfectly. Also essential if you are considering replacing the supercharger pulley. I also bough the pulley extractor for the crank pulley (as I upgraded it with the ATI Super Damper). As long as the tools are not that expensive, I will buy them as they are major time+effort savers for me.