MINI DIY Archives - MotoringFile

Secret Mode Discovered: Manual Shifting Without Paddles in the New MINI Cooper & Countryman

Apr 28, 24May 2, 24

The F66 MINI Cooper and U25 MINI Countryman won’t have shift paddles as standard. Depending how they’re optioned, even some Cooper S and Countryman S won’t have them. And without a traditional...

Best of the Web Electrification & Efficiency MINI DIY R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

Cravenspeed Electric MINI

Sure we all followed along with the factory electic cars. There was that one company that was also selling electric MINIs through Sam’s Club a while back. Now, CravenSpeed has gotten into...

Jul 8, 11Jul 9, 11

Faults & Fixes MINI DIY R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

First Generation MINI Oil Leaks & Checking Your Oil (Updated w/more Info)

Over the past couple of years a very serious issue has reared its head in many a 2001-2006 MINIs (aka the R50/R53/R52). The problem stems from oil seals or gaskets going bad...

Sep 29, 09Jun 6, 10

Accessories JCW MINI DIY R55 Clubman | 2009 to 2014 R56 Two-Door Hardtop R57 Convertible

DIY Friday: Official JCW Brake Duct Retrofit

One of the most sought after features by many of us who take our MINIs to the track are working brake cooling ducts. As most trackday junkies know, one of the first...

Feb 20, 09Feb 20, 09

1st Gen | R52 Convertible MINI DIY R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S) R55 Clubman | 2009 to 2014 R56 Two-Door Hardtop R57 Convertible

Official MINI Steering Stop DIY

If you have 18″ OEM MINI wheels on your car put on by the dealer, odds are you have the steering stop installed on your car. The reason? Apparently under extreme circumstances...

Oct 1, 08Oct 1, 08

Accessories JCW MINI DIY

Official JCW Brake Retrofit Kit PDF

Based on our story last Friday detailing the parts associated with the new JCW brake kit, we had a few questions about a potential official retrofit kit. As we reported last year...

Sep 1, 08Aug 31, 08

MINI DIY R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S) R55 Clubman | 2009 to 2014 R56 Two-Door Hardtop

iPhone your MINI: The Shure Music Phone Adaptor Reviewed

This one sent in by MF regular Nathaniel Salzman. It’s a great way to get iPhone integration in your MINI without breaking the bank! MINI iPhone integration: The Shure Music Phone Adaptor...

May 12, 08May 12, 08

JCW MINI DIY R55 Clubman | 2009 to 2014 R56 Two-Door Hardtop R57 Convertible

Official R56 JCW Shift Lever, E-Brake Grip DIY

DIY Friday is back with one of the most interfaced parts of a manual transmission equipped MINI; the shift lever. And as you would expect it’s also one of the most upgraded...

Apr 25, 08Apr 25, 08

MINI DIY R55 Clubman | 2009 to 2014

Clubman’s Rear Trim Easy to Mod?

Recently I got some quiet time with the new MINI Clubman and immediately started studying some of the more interesting aspects of the vehicle. The first thing I spent time on was...

Feb 8, 08Feb 8, 08

Ask MotoringFile JCW MINI DIY R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

Ask MF (Guest Host Edition): Is JCW A Good Idea for an Older MINI?

After last week’s Ask MotoringFile marathon, we realized we still have a couple more that needed to be answered. However for today’s edition, we’ve got some professional help. The question comes courtesy...

Jan 24, 08Jan 24, 08

1st Gen | R52 Convertible MINI DIY R50 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper) R53 Two-Door Hardtop (Cooper S)

Official R50/R53 Magnetic Badge Holder PDF

After posting the R56 instructions yesterday, it occurred to us that we had never officially offered the first generation MINI’s grille badge instructions on the site. So if you have an R50,...

Dec 28, 07Dec 28, 07