On an Amazon listing, they will give a "used" option alongside the new price. I have tried this several times, and received an item that is new and unused, but in an open box. I got an AC compressor that way, new and unused, for $155 shipped. Just something to look at.
Glad that was an easy fix, but you still may want to do the plugs, coil and wires as a little diy project.
Quite possibly you may want to check/replace your gas tank fuel pump filter as ten years and 176,000 miles is long time.
For sure, that's deff on my list I'm slowly getting his car back to shape, previous owner didn't seem to do much maintenance at all Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In the tank...under the rear seat.... If the prior owner usually kept the tank mostly above 1/4 it might be fine.... If the filter is of unknown age, might be worth doing that.... Just run the fuel level down low, and it won't be too messy.
Just want to make sure these will fit my 04? I see in the description of the parts it says will fit 05 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Apart from the items already mentioned, it would be a good idea to do a coolant flush, change the brake fluid, replace control arm bushings with Powerflex (if not done already), serpentine belt, check suspension/drive components (ball joints, strut mounts, wheel bearings, etc), tranny fluid, etc. Basically any maintenance that you don't know when it was done last. I know that it sounds like a lot of things to do, but a MINI is not like a Honda or Nissan. It will all help to keep you car on the road.
Mod Mini has this covered. [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCppUQfNZQQ"]Replace Fuel Filter - Gen 1 MINI Cooper R50 R52 R53 - YouTube[/ame]