This article describes three ways to program the remote control portion of a MINI Cooper key without any software.

The R53 has a couple of parts in the timing chain system that can be easily serviced. The tensioner can become stuck in the closed position, causing timing chain rattle (and I'd assume, premature wear). The guides can break over time as well, causing rattle (and premature wear). Here's a...

I am a proud first generation Cooper (non-S) owner and I’ve spent a lot of time and energy looking for a replacement exhaust system I could be happy with. Six systems, a handful of custom modifications and far too many dollars later I’m finally satisfied...nearly. Hey, I’m picky...and a little...

Having recently moved the wife and I found ourselves burdened with a daily routine of opening two garage doors with two separate controllers. This routine consisted of reaching into the armrest and fumbling for the right garage door controller and then finding the correct button to press. As you...

When asked if I’d like to test the TSW product, I jumped at the chance. I’ve had other chassis stiffeners on the car before, and with 40,000 miles on the clock, a couple of things have happened. One, the car, an R52(convertible) has lost a little of it’s edge and smoothness with the accumulation...

“Return of the CAI” is a confident and remarkable name for a relative newcomer to a densely packed segment in R53 engine performance modifications. The first Cold-Air Intakes [or CAI for short] splashed into the MINI aftermarket soon after the cars launch back in 2002. Some early models ranged...

How to paint your rear brakes. In this case JCW red.

How-to guide for an oil service for an R50 or R53 MINI. It’s always best to do an oil change on a hot engine as the hot oil will drain better and give you a more complete oil change. Caution must be used to prevent burns from hot fluids. Rubber gloves, work gloves, and safety glasses are all...

The 1st generation MINI had two different gear ratios for manual transmissions. The split is with the June 2004 build cars. Those built up and including June 2004 are in the first Gear Ratio column, July 2004 to the end of 1st generation MINIs are in the second Gear Ratio column.

You will find this useful if you do your own oil changes. Keep in mind you should wait until your factory service expires, since resetting the indicator may lead the dealer to deny oil changes since the indicator does not indicate an oil change is due.

Video How-To of installing a Swaybar on the R50/52/53 MINI.

How To: Car Electronic Device Hard Wire (radar detector) by Molly "pi" Smith (aka Mol) Images by the Author (formerly Molly Bunton, soon to be Molly Notle) I am a real gizmo geek and I have a few how-tos on my blog. I hope to add more as time permits. I hope some of you find this useful: Car...

The R53 MINI did a lot of things very well, however music connectivity was not one of them. Solutions like the Dension ICE:Link and later the DICE or OEM iPod adapter filled this void, but were aesthetically disappointing. This led me to try and build an iPod integration that was both functional...

This article is for installing the Remus single outlet MINI Exhaust on a 2003 MINI COOPER Total Time for beginner to install: Approx. 3-5 hours

The Top Commander for R52 is a convenience module that simplifies the operation of the top and windows on the first generation Mini Cabrio. It replaces a 20+ second sequence of button operations with a simple double click to open the top. A simple double click can completely close the top as...

The serpentine belt on your R53 MCS is a critical component in the engine. It passes power from the motor to the air conditioning compressor to keep you comfortable, the alternator to keep your electrics running and to the supercharger, to give you a boost of power. A broken belt can leave you...

MINI Brake Pad Installation Changing your brake pads is a very rewarding DIY project. This tutorial focuses specifically on giving you the complete picture on how to replace your OEM pads and Brake Pad sensor for the front axle. After you've done this yourself, changing the rotors or upgrading...

How To: Replace Strut Springs

My coolant expansion tank split along the seam so I replaced it. Here is the DIY "for dummies" with pics! Maybe it will help someone...

One of the best places to reduce weight to improve handling and ride is where there is unsprung mass. This includes wheels, brakes, and suspension pieces. The rear trailing arms from the R56 are close to a bolt-on conversion, however the parts list is exhaustive and the conversion is shrouded...

I did a lot of searching and found a few references on other MINI websites, but I never found a comprehensive guide on how to replace and bleed the clutch slave cylinder. This is a part that frequently fails on R53 MINIs (I'm on #4 in 4 years / 51k miles right now and carry a spare in the back...

You might not think too much about the steering in your MINI, except for the fact that it's quick, precise and adds to the well known "fun factor." Just like the engine and other mechanical systems in the car, it needs some regular attention to operate at it's fullest capacity and to prevent...

Some things just have weak links – solid axles with c-clips, any car with Lucas electrics, and the MINI Cooper’s Midlands transmission. Marginally acceptable for street use, the Midlands 5-speed gearbox simply cannot stand up to track and autocross punishment like the Cooper S Getrag 6-speed....

Changing your brake pads is a very rewarding DIY project. This tutorial focuses specifically on giving you the complete picture on how to replace your OEM pads and Brake Pad sensor for the front axle. After you've done this yourself, changing the rotors or upgrading to aftermarket pads is a breeze!

Have you ever thought that your door sill plates needed a change? Also if you ever have a need to replace a Side Skirt, either due to a repair or because maybe you are moving to the Aero skirts, this will effectively be part of that work as well.

This guide is primarily aimed at 2002-2006 Mini Cooper S models equipped with the Aisin-Warner TF60-SN 6-speed transmission. Other models are equiped with different models of the same manufacturer with small changes. Based on the repair diagrams that I have consulted on [URL="http://www.realoem.com"]www.realoem.com[/URL] and data...

A complete list of the ECU Codes that your 1st Generation MINI may throw. Use these to help troubleshoot error codes and issues.

To gain access to the pulley and release the tension on the belt, see AGgranger's write up on serpentine belt replacement. (MINI Belt (de)tensioner tool, philips head screwdriver, small Allen wrench for holding tensioner in place) - To remove pulley bolt: 13 mm ratcheting wrench (see photo...

I was tired of seeing write-ups/how-to's across the net that say you MUST remove the supercharger to service the water pump. This is simply not...

Coolant leaking from the thermostat housing is a common problem. Most often it is the gasket around the coolant thermostat that has lost its seal. However, the gasket is not available without purchasing with the thermostat as a complete unit. Because the coolant thermostat housing is often...

The primary purpose was a supercharger oil check/refill... It’s an MCS only job that should be done every 80,000 miles or so for those of us with supercharged engines. I'm a bit early, but I had the time to do it now, so why not? I’m also very protective of my scheduled play time... I would hate...

We all know of the wayyyyy too common fan assembly issues with the mini cooper (R50-53) models. I have devised my own assembly removal method based on years of ASE experience and, well, common sense. This isn't a HIGHLY DETAILED step by step but it really should help ya out and I can have it...

While doing some other work I decided to hunt down a long standing but very slow coolant leak. I followed the fluid stains up from under the car into the engine bay and eventually asked for some consensus on the forum. You can see the brief discussion and some excellent advice here.

See attached PDF for instructions on the Overhaul of a MINI 5 Speed Midlands Transmission.

MINI has an official dealer install guide, but it's AWFUL! It has one good diagram in it (which I shamelessly copy and paste, below), but the rest is crap and the leave out a bunch of steps! You can find it here: [URL]http://bridger.us/mini/files/steering_airbag.pdf[/URL]

R53 Powerflex Transmission Mount Bushing Install w/ Upper Engine Damper Replacement. You don't have to do both of these jobs at the same time... you can do one or the other. They both start the same way and are very similar, so I'll give you instructions like "If you are only doing job X, you...

Jango, my 2006 MCS (R53), and I have been driving the streets of Dallas, TX for almost 6 years. I’ve never found the AC to be quite up to the task of dealing with full Texas summers, but until this year, I’ve been able to put up with it. It’s usually only screamingly hot here for 30-40 days in...

Everyone has a different idea of what appropriate maintenance is and everyone has a different use for their car. Everyone has a different level of comfort with the risk of not replacing some items at regular intervals vs. waiting for a part failure (or near-failure). Everyone also has a...

The crank pulley on an R53 takes power from the crank and supplies it to the serpentine belt, in turn feeding the alternator, AC compressor and Supercharger/water pump. It is a rubber-filled damper and this part is known to fail on the R53 around 80-100k miles (or 72k miles in my case). When...

On almost every R53 that I’ve seen lately, the crank sensor is weeping at least a little bit of oil. When it is just barely leaking, you will get a growth of a black oil and road grime on the front of the engine block that looks like cauliflower gone very bad. As it gets worse, you will find...

The serpentine belt on your R53 MCS is a critical component in the engine. It passes power from the motor to the air conditioning compressor to keep you comfortable, the alternator to keep your electrics running and to the supercharger, to give you a boost of power. A broken belt can leave you...