What's the best service manual?
 

I bought a wrecked '02 base model mini. Hit in the front. What's the best service manual to buy and from where and about how much? I see bentley-authored paper manuals and BMW (all models including Mini) multi-CD versions on ebay. The CD version is much cheaper but is it any good? I need details down to identifying and trouble shooting/clearing trouble codes, rebuilding the CVT, and air bag replacement/reset (see my detailed questions about these on some other threads i'm posting). Thanks

I've got both the cd and the bentley manual. The nice thing about the cd's is they give all the part numbers, other than that, well I wasn't overly impressed.

The bentley will tell you how to replace the transmission (intuitive?) but not how to rebuild it, it does give extensive code information. I think the air bag information is pretty good.

Hope that helps!

To Xianqi
 

Thanks! My Mitchell's estimating guide does a good job with part numbers on most stuff too. Does the CD tell how to troubleshoot, tear apart, or rebuild a CVT? And is the CD also good with trouble codes and diagnosing them, lets just say for example P1611?

And BTW, I pulled the cradle to replace the LH lower control arm and make sure the cradle was square, and that was anything but intuitive. Very tricky elements to doing that and should've had a shop manual. So that would be Step #1 in getting the tranny out. I think the guide would have to be helpful considering all the pitfalls I ran into.

post some before and after pics! good luck!

to STLMINI
 

i'll do that! and i may become the local expert on air bags by the time this is said and done with. even the STL dealer auto haus doesnt seem to know much about the system, and they dont seem well versed in the CVT either. bummer, but i'm learning the hard way. right now i know how to swap out a cradle, replace air bags and control module (a huge job for the later), seat pretensioners, parking brake and boot repair, lower control arm and axle R&R, and front end assembly. more to come....