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Picked up a bruised '14 today, here goes the rebuild
I've been wanting to try out a newer Mini, and came across one on Copart that was local and I couldn't resist. I picked it up today and I'm super excited about tearing it apart and getting the front end back in order.
I've done the tear down, and now I'm about to start the parts search, so I'm reaching out for advice. First, which website is the most reasonable for large orders. Also, are the front end parts from the '14 Coupe interchangeable with the other Mini Coopers from '14?
For instance, is the Coupe hood and headlights exclusive, or shared with the convertible and hardtop Mini Cooper S of the same year.
Congrats, looks like you got a lot of work ahead.
Check the mounts on the pass side as we see the block broken all the time when we see this and that will make it crazy expensive to fix.
the hood is specific to the coupe/roadster so you can't use the other hoods.
Otherwise I'd hunt for used parts as the front end parts get expensive quick. Good to look for someone that has the stock bumper from installing a body kit. Also look local for large items as shipping them will kill you or arrive damaged.
Let us know if we can help with other parts as most of them interchange with the R56
Was that a collision, or did a truck back in to it?
Excellent advice from Way, I looked at ordering a rear bumper cover and shipping was almost as much as the part itself, so look locally for the big parts.
For the other parts, check out all the NAM vendors - I have ordered from most of them and have had great service from all. With the list of parts you're going to need, you won't have any trouble getting above the minimums for free shipping.
Congrats, looks like you got a lot of work ahead.
Check the mounts on the pass side as we see the block broken all the time when we see this and that will make it crazy expensive to fix.
the hood is specific to the coupe/roadster so you can't use the other hoods.
Otherwise I'd hunt for used parts as the front end parts get expensive quick. Good to look for someone that has the stock bumper from installing a body kit. Also look local for large items as shipping them will kill you or arrive damaged.
Let us know if we can help with other parts as most of them interchange with the R56
Thank you very much for the very helpful response!
Below is a pic of the passenger side of the block. I don't see a hole in the area in the photo, so my question is where do they usually puncture on the passenger side? I really need to inspect tomorrow to confirm that even if there isn't a hole, but confirm that the mounting points on the block weren't fractured.
So I'll need to suck it up with the hood, but the other parts can be run of the mill. You guys sell used parts, right? I'll send you a parts list if you're interested.
Here's a quick list of what i think I need based on a hour teardown.
- intake manifold
- air intake with hose
- hood
- all motor mounts
- both headlights - Xenon
- radiator
- bumper cover - front and rear
- grille
- radiator suppor
- fan shroud
Good luck with your project. I wish I had the skill and nerves necessary to take on a project of this magnitude. It looks like it will be a great car when done.
Post project updates and pictures along the way so we can see your progress.
Was that a collision, or did a truck back in to it?
Excellent advice from Way, I looked at ordering a rear bumper cover and shipping was almost as much as the part itself, so look locally for the big parts.
For the other parts, check out all the NAM vendors - I have ordered from most of them and have had great service from all. With the list of parts you're going to need, you won't have any trouble getting above the minimums for free shipping.
Thanks for the info. I don't know what caused the damage, but it didn't affect the frame rails. That would have been a deal breaker.
Originally Posted by miniCPA
Good luck with your project. I wish I had the skill and nerves necessary to take on a project of this magnitude. It looks like it will be a great car when done.
Post project updates and pictures along the way so we can see your progress.
You'd be surprised at what you could do yourself. Trust me, there's no rocket science happening in my garage, just a lot of head scratching and searching on Google and Youtube.
Thank you very much for the very helpful response!
Below is a pic of the passenger side of the block. I don't see a hole in the area in the photo, so my question is where do they usually puncture on the passenger side? I really need to inspect tomorrow to confirm that even if there isn't a hole, but confirm that the mounting points on the block weren't fractured.
So I'll need to suck it up with the hood, but the other parts can be run of the mill. You guys sell used parts, right? I'll send you a parts list if you're interested.
Here's a quick list of what i think I need based on a hour teardown.
- intake manifold
- air intake with hose
- hood
- all motor mounts
- both headlights - Xenon
- radiator
- bumper cover - front and rear
- grille
- radiator suppor
- fan shroud
I'll take a look at the car tomorrow and assess what exactly I'll need as a bare minimum to see if it'll run. I'll email you that list and we can go from there. I don't want to go all-in until I know the engine is good.
From looking at the pictures, would think the hood was hit or hit in a very particular spot as it appears the windshield is not cracked. Would think that the hinges would have been pushed back into the body and the area around the windshield area smushed.
There are just so many small parts and sensors that need replacing that it's no longer practical to buy the parts. I'll need to buy a donor car. I'm running out of space in my driveway, so I'll be holding off on this project until my 335i sells. At that point I'll buy a donor and start swapping parts.
From looking at the pictures, would think the hood was hit or hit in a very particular spot as it appears the windshield is not cracked. Would think that the hinges would have been pushed back into the body and the area around the windshield area smushed.
Actually, the hinges and mounting surface is fine.
There's a bunch of part-out threads in the Marketplace, try contacting those sellers to see if you can find what you need. All the Gen2 LCI S models (N18 engine) are pretty much the same from the firewall forward.
Either that or start your own part-out thread once you have taken what you need off the donor!
Last edited by squawSkiBum; 01-22-2018 at 10:04 PM.
There's a bunch of part-out threads in the Marketplace, try contacting those sellers to see if you can find what you need. All the Gen2 LCI S models (N18 engine) are pretty much the same from the firewall forward.
Either that or start your own part-out thread once you have taken what you need off the donor!
Thanks
I supported the motor with a 2x4 and rolled the car out of the garage tonight and discovered a 2' diameter oil spot. Damn, looks like it might have a hole in it after all. Really won't mater much financially, just more work. I plan to buy a donor with a good engine just in case.
Anyway, I'll be back in a month or two with updates.
I love these projects so much so I advanced to flooded minis
What about flooded Fiesta ST's? Here's mine. Water barely wet the carpet, but they totaled it. Great car. It's jacked up like that so I can check the undercarriage for damage and give it a thorough cleaning.
I havent messed with anything beyond Minis (when it comes to flooding) other than an 06 Audi A8. I still have it parked and never got the chance/time/audacity/capacity/knowledge to get the engine out! :(
I havent messed with anything beyond Minis (when it comes to flooding) other than an 06 Audi A8. I still have it parked and never got the chance/time/audacity/capacity/knowledge to get the engine out! :(
I looked up some of your rebuilds and man are they extensive! Nice work!
There are just so many small parts and sensors that need replacing that it's no longer practical to buy the parts. I'll need to buy a donor car. I'm running out of space in my driveway, so I'll be holding off on this project until my 335i sells. At that point I'll buy a donor and start swapping parts.
You may own a body shop with spare space and time to invest in such a project and furthermore if you have to buy a donor car to fix it.
At the bottom line, your project seems very expensive and time consuming. I am trying to figure out the profit on investment on a salvage car not even being a rare JCW roadster.
01-19-2018, 08:08 PM
