Thinking I might need a service manual to help with service and mod installs, I called Mini of the Woodlands and Momentum Mini (Houston, TX). After all, I have a service manual for ALL my other vehicles and thought this would be a handy/dandy thing to have just in case. Figured all I'd have to do is shell out the $$'s and would have it for technical answers, wiring diagrams, etc.

I asked for the parts department and talked to "Juan" and "Jose" respectively.

When I asked for the price of a service manual for my soon-to-be-shipped-some-damn-day ride, I was informed that BMW does not PRINT service manuals for the Mini. HUH?!?!

I asked what do the service techs look at??? I was informed that the service techs all go to Mini School and none of them, not a one, have any type of technical manual to refer to in case one of them might forget any of the thousands of parts relating to our beloved Mini. Quite a confidence builder, hmmmmm? I was told that BMW wants to keep any technical information "in-house" at the dealership.

But, the good news is WE Mini Owners can go to Amazon.com and find the latest service manual direct from BMW Mini division; at least that's according to "Jose's" boss at Momentum BMW.

Anyone out there have a father, brother, son, cousin, friend that can get his/her hands on a service manual????

 

Don't buy the MINI, BMW "manual on CD".

I've been stupid enough to buy TWO of them.
They don't work.

I've had both of them looked at by a couple of IT
professionals, both car enthusists, that have BMWs.

It doesn't work.

If anybody has contradictory information let me know.

The techs do have a manual I think it is some kind of
proprietary software service.

 

Not twice for the same car mind you.

I'm not THAT stupid

But how ever it is advertised, you get the same junk
sent. (BMW, MINI, etc etc etc)

 

The MINI tech's have a software package they use (not available in stores). There are some bootlegged copies of it around for the older models - I got one and while it doesn't crash, it acts like I didn't get all the stuff. But there is a solution if you're driving a 1st generation. The Bentley manual is better than the bmw stuff. But they haven't gotten a 2nd gen manual out yet. Cost is about $80 on ebay.