Thats the dealer for you...land of high prices. We have a local place that does the same thing with used MINIs. They tend to say they are junk then sell you a newer used MINI they fixed. Just go to the dealer for coding and warranty things, most other thing you can find info from me on here and DIY. If you cannot DIY find a local shop and show them the links on here to DIYs. I worked on cars that cost more the most houses, the MINI is the same as any other euro car, just smaller and tighter to work on. Less information about them but that's what the forums are for.


The Countryman and Paceman have more room and are up in the air so technically it should be easier to reach.

What can help:

Ramp will work but you need to take the wheel off unless you can get up under it with some long tool and its tight. I put mine on a lift, taking the wheel off makes it easier. get a block of wood and you can brace the engine and use a prybar also. Those have helped on many projects, i am using them now to rebuild the suspension on my R52 Pry Bar Set : https://www.ecstuning.com/b-milwauke...8-22-9214~mwk/

Get a set of floor jack, you will need them, Get 4 total and you can jack and lift the whole car on stand. Does not take long and makes everything easy.

How to jack your MINI: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...our-car-430882 and https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ck-points.html

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/Sit...h/jack_stands/

 

Apparently, cracking is normal?
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...47906-9999.pdf

 

Why wait for pulley failure when proper maintenance is easier and less expensive?

 

Agreed, ordered the wheel and belt the other day.
I have bigger problems anyway with trying to figure out this turbo issue haha. Cheers.