Mini Cooper S (R56) Front End Removal

[@linustorvalds2154]

modern minis have a serious lack of videos on youtube. Im so happy you're making these.

[@JeffBruns-e2p]

Started tearing mine down yesterday, great video. Loved the shout out to Edd China, but Eric is just as impressive.

[@IanLandesman]

Being a MINI owner who DIYs, I REALLY enjoyed the video. Love your attitude! I'm a little stoked that I know some 'secrets' you don't, but whatever works WORKS even if it takes you a little longer. You are way faster than I was the first time!

[@ozzstars_cars]

Now that's a lot of nuts and bolts but the Mini is in good hands with Eric The Car Guy!

[@MrBillrookard]

That cable actuated clamp tool is seriously the coolest thing. Ever.

[@andrewlace]

That would be fantastic with just about any vw

[@desmondmarshall7384]

Huge confidence booster, this is a money saving video. Your video makes is less complex and straight forward to go into front end service.

[@jamespn]

If these series of videos don’t keep you from owning a mini or bmw nothing else will.

[@aussiebloke609]

Missing fasteners is a great reason to do as much work yourself as you can. Too many mechs are in too much of a hurry to replace those fasteners they lose or break...and a little later, the owner wonders why the car is starting to develop all those new rattles and squeaks a little way down the road. At least if you do it yourself, you know they're all in place...and if not, the you know where the problem is and how to get to it once it all starts to rattle loose. :-)

[@Tipnotice]

I don't know if you'll actually see this Eric, but I've been watching your videos since 2009, but I can, without a doubt say you have both saved my family, friends and myself a ton of money with your videos, but also really got me to love cars more than I ever have, so thank you! and I hope you stay having a great time :)

[@mikep95133]

What struck me was the incredible amount of editing that it took to make this video. Had to have been 8 hrs without any rendering included. My hat is off to that person !! Loads of work Eric !!! Good job !!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you! I actually had some help on this one. I hired an editor a few weeks back. This is the first video he worked on with me. I still needed to do a bit of editing myself after he submitted his cut, but it was a lot less than starting from scratch.

[@castin5244]

As a Mini owner I can say these cars are a pain in the ass to work on, but so worth it. Such fun cars! :D

[@tm5346]

True 😂💕mini I do worry can’t well but I do love my car

[@rwe2156]

ECG. The heartbeat of YT car repair. 😄😄

[@darink300zx]

Definitely not a mini-expert, you’re a normal sized expert.

[@VinzofTay30]

I could only imagine the amount of work an old school mechanic use to go through without power tools. FORÇA OLDSKOOLS!

[@Sushithe1nonly]

I just wanted to say thank you for all the videos you do. I just changed the turbo cartridge, auxiliary water pump, dv and Downpipe and your video helped a lot! My Mini was running bad, now... no more smoke! Thanks to you and a few other car guys/Mechanics here on YT. Keep it up! Much appreciated , and have a great New Year.

[@MWC3OFFICIAL]

yeah i also recently did this, it is possible by putting the front end in a service position

[@biggar1111]

I wish I could run this backwards as I'm currently reassembling after about eight months apart. I will say that watching it at half speed is probably one of the most hilarious things I have ever done. EricTheCarGuy, I'm not sure if you're a drinker, but watching this at half speed you sound so completely wasted I'm dyin' here!

[@GF_Burke]

Bad assness. Found a John Cooper Works mini locally used. Got dressed up and rode my harley over. Acted like I was interested. Took it on their track in the back. That little thing is fun. ;)

[@fastinradfordable]

for that stuck lug bolt, get yourself a used SWENCH mechanical impact wrench.. down to only $200 used on ebay. It KICKS ASS, never lose another lug bolt/axle nut battle in your life. Saved my ass removing head bolts that were so tight it would shatter the Torqs bit. And removing plastic dual over head cams/crank bolt on a subaru (4 cam with plastic pulleys). plus anytime you pull it out you are INSTANT BAD ASS. Thanks for the upload eric!

[@ajsimpson1981]

I am a petrol head and vehicle tech. I believe you guys call it gear head if I'm not miss taken. But I just always enjoy watch Eric he's just fab....

[@animoshho]

Dear Eric and all of his youtube friends. This video got me 98% of the way on an R60 Countryman S. 2 things were different: 1. that plastic frame holding the radiator and the AC radiator is one solid piece so I could not slide the ac rad out of the plastic frame. If you set a tire on the ground it gave a good height to rest it all on. 2. No one won a bingo on my session =(

[@kirkw95skate]

I’m a greenhorn at an autobody collision shop…. We had to do this on a mini, thanks for the help! Survived another day 😅

[@ericwhitaker9608]

Great video! Love the nice electrical connectors. You know things are serious when you break out the 2 foot breaker bar.

[@johnnykimberlin4495]

Thanks for all your help today. Watched your this video today as I took apart my mini. I went step by step with your video. Had alot of hickups I just went back to your video. Just watched the oil leak video ,now that is next, then the starter , alternator and belt. Again thanks for your time.

[@Izaakku]

I dont know how to thank you, i installed my clutch kit and flywheel thanks to you!

[@demonprince9713]

It was nice seeing you have fun. Really enjoying this series! Ty

[@nutsnproud6932]

I love the remote hose clip removal and fastener removal tools.

[@Widmer09]

Putting things a part is a lot of fun. How do you remember which nuts, clips, bolts go where when putting them all back together? Mechanic instinct? Honestly, that is the only thing that scares me when working on cars.

[@rikkiadams831]

You helped me with my pathfinder...and now my mini. :) I love watching you videos, your commentary reminds me of Mike Rowe, from Dirty Jobs. Look forward to watching more. Thanks.

[@tracydiller4492]

You are so right OZZSTAR the mini is in GOOD HANDS with Eric The Car Guy. I can't believe how long I have been watching ETCG AND RELATED videos hell I watch all the old videos as well love THE FATR , but anyways GREAT VIDEOS Eric and I hope you keep them coming, have a GREAT WEEKEND and until next time PEACE!!!

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you! Have a great weekend yourself.

[@goofy170]

Wow Eric, may seem easy for you but that looks like a lot of work. It's cool to see you fly through it. If something breaks, or bad happens I feel sorry for you but it's cool to see things break and watch your ways of fixing them. 👍✌️

[@Krillekris]

This is how I like you Eric The Car Guy. Fixing cars, and doing it with awesome tools :-)

[@ann-marienewbound9402]

The body cam added some great shots Eric. As always a great job

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks for noticing. I started using them more when shooting this series. It was very efficient. I also think it gives a better view of the action.

[@digitalrailroader]

Wow, this makes removing the front clip of my Chevrolet Aveo downright simple! The trade off is that my Aveo’s front core support is one large piece that ties the upper aprons and main chassis legs together.

[@cazsomething9433]

Loved it man just pulled one into the shop and the oil leak cant be seen! This helped out immensely!!

[@happysawfish]

Craz where was zee leak?

[@zandern9489]

Omg you crack me up- thought I was the only who talked to myself while working on cars...wait- you actually have an audience🤔 Damn that clamp tool would come in handy- thanks for the link!

[@georgepaul2028]

It was tedious enough to disassemble, it will be a miracle to reassemble. I know you can do it, despite the insane BMW engineering. Fantastic mechanic!

[@AcesnEights698]

I was cringing, waiting for that wheel bolt to shear... This Mini was not loved. I've done this task a few times and it's not too bad. Looks worse than it appears and it slaps back together relatively intuitively. That stated, don't buy a Mini if you don't maintain your own cars or have wheelbarrow of cash to dump over an overpass for someone else to.

[@AcesnEights698]

GADZOOKS! Good Job Joshua Carnackle, thou hast seen through mine dastardly lies! However willst I receiveth chicks now?

[@bvernia]

Great video, enabled me to fix the oil leak on my convertible Mini Cooper S (R57). Thanks, Eric.

[@spacecat7247]

Worked on a pop coupe that had a front ender. I really like the fact that it's all bolted together vs. Welded. Makes component replacement a breeze.

[@MrGarycharters]

Could be the Friday night beers I'm drinking, but the POV is spinning me out haha. Next on VR platforms, Eric the Car Guy. Haha

[@jimthecarguy]

Nice video Eric.The Mini is a little tight to work on but you make it look easy.Good job.

[@bradbozarth1822]

It’s a goddamn pain in the ass lol

[@mxrk_thomxs9226]

@@bradbozarth1822 relatable

[@phoenixabram1981]

You all prolly dont care but does anyone know a method to get back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my account password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@trentkamden2094]

@Phoenix Abram instablaster =)

[@phoenixabram1981]

@Trent Kamden thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and Im in the hacking process now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@smokejenson1151]

Really liking this series Eric, getting into everything like this on a car and fixing everything bumper to bumper is beyond fascinating. I think you're hitting a homerun with this. Thank you for not giving up and finding a new passion. Keep the videos coming on this "mini" series and I'll keep making the popcorn.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thank you!

[@alexalvarez2495]

I didn´t disassemble the mini, and now I´m worrying about correctly stepping back to reassemble. Looks like lots of fun!

[@sbmallik2]

Excellent and informative video - I liked the way you took out the wheel cover followed by wheel arch trims to expose the hidden bolts.

[@michaelmiller4716]

Man, you gotta love this darn wheel bolts! I just love chasing Mercedes wheels across the shop after they have fallen off while i'm trying to hold the wheel, let go of my impact wrench and set the last bolt on the hoist arm. Or, the wheel falls directly on my foot!

[@peter6782]

i found that a small deep socket was great for pushing the clips out from behind for the wheel arch trim without breaking them , most people just go Ape and use a door card trim tool to remove the wheel arch trim , with pretty much breaks most of the clips, there not much to buy, but i just find it a better method ! 👍

[@rigrentals5297]

Godlike series. You're my hero Eric.

[@shepshepherd]

My own 2-foot breaker bar (known as Tom Petty the Boltbreaker) has got me out of trouble on numerous occasions since I won it as a runner-up prize in a DIY motor mechanic competition in 1997 :)

[@hyunkim3422]

Absolutely loving these series !

[@berkeleydojah]

Love this series and I hope you become more fond of euro cars because they are pretty easy to work on.

[@ericthecarguy]

This one is growing on me. I just wish I didn't have to work on it all the time and I could actually drive it.

[@galenbutler8619]

Great videos, man! Thanks for the attention to detail and the great camera work!

[@bishopofrustyiron3101]

Ooo ooo T20, thats me, Bingo! hey man this is awesome, i am about to venture into an engine replacement, mine made it to 305k before giving up the ghost. So soon, its the big long block buy and swap....sadly i need a new turbo too and im guessing a clutch, the original is still in there after 305k and without issue. Thanks Eric!!!!!!!!! I do old car resto stuff on youtube, tiny tiny page, but I will put the engine swap on there and link to your awesome stuff here, ty for doing this series! -bish

[@mark98070]

Edd China is my hero too! Sure do miss him since his departure from Wheeler Dealers.

[@charleshollow5734]

I just picked up a Milwaukee ratchet, and I'm addicted to it as well.

[@993ts]

Charles Hollow sometimes I try to figure out how the hell I am going to fit in a small place for several minutes before I realize I have a regular ratchet that will fit no problem.

[@josevicencio6081]

really helpful ,thank you very much ,I have want like this , i'm doing this right now. i had to replace the housing oil and I had to remove all of this , thanks

[@SuperTehri]

love the sound of your tools

[@josephmoritz6906]

Enjoying the “mini series” 😊

[@lexmaximaguy8788]

6:44 when you try too remove oil drain plug after a jiffy lube oil change.

[@Malossianoplus]

LEX Maximaguy87 and u know that the treads are 100% gone..

[@riotclown024]

hes actually trying to take the driver side wheel, off not the drain plug.

[@aswallace88]

Jiffy lube guy used too many dugga duggas on it. My wife's 2012 MINI Countryman had a similar issue, but I wasn't in a shop trying to get it off. I was on the side of the road. Thankfully, I was able to find a 6 foot long piece of tubing that was used for a fence post and make a cheater bar on the lug wrench. I still had to lean on it pretty damn hard.

[@JasonAnderson-r9y]

Thank you Eric the car Guy amazing video can't wait to watch more 🎉🎉🎉

[@spitsomefire]

Eric if you want to easily remove those flares you can two plastic pry bars get if off

[@johnnykimberlin4495]

I noticed you froze and just blew off the oil?????? Am I correct???? If so where can I get a freeze setup. I was blown away. Much better than solvents.

[@240kDatsun]

I'm really enjoying the Mini series... Thanks Eric great work

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

My "I'm really, REALLY serious now" breaker bar is the HF Pittsburgh Pro 25" ! SOMETHING is going to move with that puppy !

[@KaiConfuzzled]

Cracking video Eric, had me in stitches "There's a bonus screw!' ha ha - very informative though - thanks again

[@erowal1]

I don’t think I’d have a problem taking all of it apart. The challenge for me would be remembering how to put it all together 🤣

[@MotorScotti]

Excellent, looking forward to this series as my Peugeot RCZ has the same engine block! Thanks!

[@CSkwirl]

If you're old enough (and Australian) it's the 'Yahoo Serious' breaker bar...you're welcome lol. ;-)

[@badfairy9554]

I am in the UK and love Yahoo Serious. Funny and sexy.

[@OWLBEARstudios]

This video was soooooo helpful, THANK YOU!!!

[@zx8401ztv]

Bingo lol, All eyes down for the next part, wrenches ready :) You didn't sound upset or stressed out while dissasembling that rubix cube :-D. For me it had far too much plastic, metal support for the radiator would have been my favorite way, but i'm an old git lol :-D.

[@ericthecarguy]

Honestly, it wasn't that bad. It seemed harder to get that wheel bolt off.

[@jojoskunk]

cable for laches running in the font top radiator support WOW This is so over engineered like many thing in german car. I like it

[@towzone100]

Great video. Cant wait to see more on the Mini

[@chrisej5987]

German cars are a pleasure to work on. That’s why I keep buying Mercedes. They’re so intuitive! And fasteners and electrical connectors rarely break or fight you. 👌

[@dannyc8617]

Masochist

[@seanmichael374]

And I’m back, time for refresher as my mini is leaning oil from the oil filter housing. Damnit.

[@Automotive_Solutions]

Looking forward to this 'mini' series.

[@aparicio9872]

good job Erick i really needed to what your video to do the oil cooler seals ,, thanks very much saved me alot of time ,

[@vancity2349]

Eric that is alot of bolts fasteners and so on. How do remember which ones go where for the reinstall? Do mark/bag them or do you just have an incredible memory?

[@ericthecarguy]

I normally keep all the fasteners I remove with the part that was removed. If I can, I put them in place on the part removed. As long as I don't accidentally kick the parts when walking across the shop, it usually works pretty good.

[@Mrdubomb]

Some old 14x1.5 bolts with the heads chopped off make great pilot pins for taking off those german wheels.

[@Mr2pint]

Must be fun having a head on collision with this car - like the GoPro striped to your head thing..

[@tonyb8612]

great vid Eric, Thank you. I was waiting for the front end tear down. Cheers man

[@jootuupi]

Thats one tightly packed engine bay.

[@GarthGoldberg]

Autozone has a variety of clips that will work with MINI trim. I don't think you needed to remove the inner fender liner completely, just detach the front four push rivets. I think you also didn't need to remove the eyebrow trim completely, just detach the fasteners where the trim meets the radiator support. The Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro 25" breaker bar (for when you're "serious") is the Bomb.

[@ericthecarguy]

Thanks for the input. You'll see in an upcoming video that my suspicions were correct that you don't need to remove the washer bottle or the upper support. You just need to detach it from the strut towers. Personally I don't think it's a big deal to remove the fender liners. I also think it makes more room if you do. It also gives you the opportunity to clean out the debris that sits in front of the door that can cause corrosion.

[@corndogflop]

watching you go to town on that one lug bolt really got to me

[@vitoialungo2229]

Eric what is the easiest way to replace the water pump to thermostat housing (cross flow tube) & o rings

[@spitsomefire]

When i used to be a body man working on those mini s was a breeze removing headlights and the bumpers

[@williammayfield1207]

This mini series is very interesting

[@spelunkerd]

You made that one look easy.

[@ericthecarguy]

It wasn't that bad actually.

[@driftking7334]

no different than most vw / audi even the 08+ civic needs the core support to be removed to pull the engine through the top.

[@Boot_185]

I have 2 different size breaker bar and then a 4ft pipe for when I am really serious and dont care if it breaks. Usually I try heat if possible before that.

[@randyvalerius9795]

Eric you should do a video on how to replace the timing chain and guide rails. It would help me out alot.

[@ericthecarguy]

It's already shot and part of the series to air later.

[@johnandrews7922]

awesome job. About how long does it take to strip down the front . I am taking into a shop and need to know how many hours they need. thanks

[@MrTTqUaTtRo]

Yo Eric, get rid of those power robbers in your intercooler piping! The muffler and the sound generator are just in the way and flow disruptions.

[@CoHxUnLoaDz98]

Thats why I like my jeep, 2 10mm bolts and 4 plastic rivets that hold the front bumper on

[@TheRdfrota]

hey erick. can you make a video of how to open the hood when its stuck? Like openning the hood with a compromised release cable.

[@Jokatyal]

Eric if you watch the factory assembly video here on youtube.com you can remove the whole front end just like you wondering about. Thank you for posting all of the Mini videos , without them I would not be able to fix my wife's Mini.

[@single_cam9199]

What you think about the plastic pads for a lift point😅

[@petermoger8135]

I hate those wheel arch clips. My R50 has them. But the front end is so much easier to take apart. Probably only 12 fasteners for the front bumper cover, 10 to remove the bumper bar and 4 more for the crash tubes. Electrical connections aren’t fancy though.

[@348frank348]

goddammit eric this is soo therapeutic watching you tear down a car like this

[@spencerhudzenko3734]

I have no intention of ever owning one of these things. Yet here I am watching the entire video.

[@justinbouy3153]

Do you think you could have just lifted the motor from the top without dissassembling the front? I may be about to embark on this

[@teddystephens5587]

dear eric im disabled and my 1995 doge truck 3.9 auto trans is bad I wish I had your help your such a good source I live in the home of the farmont by the way

[@trainsbangsandautomobiles824]

I actually like that intercooler, compact but thick, lots of surface area