Is it safe to assume cylinder 1 = the first cylinder from the left?

 

yeah follow your spark plug wires they are numbered too

 

aftermarket wires :\ (and coilpack)

 

1 is on the right side of the car (your left as you're looking into the engine bay from the front) - aka the US passenger side.

 

Blimey is correct. On inline engines #1 is usually the one closest to the front of the engine. IE the end with the belt.

I'd agree with a set of wires if your MINI has over 50,000 miles. They do wear out over time. Aftermarket coil pack, well not so sure I'd buy one. See if the wires cure your problem if not I'd go from there.

 

I think he was saying that that his wires are not numbered because they are after-market, not that this is his possible solution.

Sorry, I do not know which is cylander 1, but I think (based on previous f bangers) that Blimey is correct.

 

put the stock coil pack back on and try it if you've already cleaned all connections and checked plugs and ohmed wires . my aftermarket caused major issues about a year after install .