Steering Column Help
 

My son has a 2002 base model mini cooper that I need to replace the steering column (upper). I bought a used steering column and while doing the repair realized the used column I purchased is the newer version (black spline 3mm) while the existing column is the older version (natural spline 8mm). What are my options at this point? Can the newer version spline be modified to fit onto older lower steering column? If I buy a new lower steering column will it automatically be compatible to the used (newer version) upper steering column? Any advice would be welcomed. Thank you

At this point, you most likely want to do the lowest cost fix!