Recently picked up a 2006 Cooper S to replace my 2003 which was totaled in a softball sized hailstorm last June. Trying to locate some parts and am having difficulty.
1) Metal coolant tank that doesn't cost $280 from Forge. The ones I see advertised have an extra hose nipple right under the cap for which I'm mystified as to its purpose. Also they don't seem yo have internal baffles like my 2003 had.
2) Front mud flaps: They show up as No Longer Available (from Mini) or Out of Stock or on Back Order. Anyone have a source?
I'd consider used parts if someone was parting out or have extras.
George

 

I sure someone here can tell you where to route a hose to from that nipple on the AM aluminum tank.
Keep an eye out on the NAM marketplace .
Try a Pull-'Em-Apart yard if all else fails

 

Amazon has a tank for $89. I bought one back in 2019 and it’s been working good.

Aluminum Coolant Reservoir Bottle Tank for 02-06 Mini Cooper S R52 05-08 Convertible S R53 https://a.co/d/cQK8MaT

 

That hose barb is for a coolant recovery bottle or just a short length of hose to direct blow off coolant down and away instead of spraying all over the engine bay.

 

I bought that one and just returned it. You'll note only the bottom is showing hiding the extra hose nipple below and it also comes with a non venting cap of its own so you can't use the OEM cap. The ad fooled me too.

 

Tricky seller! The item must have changed to the common one you see on eBay. The one I received does indeed use the oem center cap, but that was way back in 2019.

 

I got both my metal fluid tanks for under 150$ and they're almost exactly like the canton brand but with a front view port on the coolant which I LOVE.. lol they're not m7's I just put that decal on from something else I'd bought. I bought them off ebay , I could probably find my old purchase and link them for ya.
that extra nipple underneath i simple put in a blockoff inside behind it...I believe even the canton ones had them. I don't know what it's used for so I just blocked it off. I could have even just put a nipple over the outside but I did a more permanent solution.