Mini Problems

In terms of physical size the five-door Mini Countryman is the largest vehicle in the current Mini fleet.

Pop out the red cap, then remove the fastener behind it. There are then four other fasteners around the door card to remove. Pull the door handle cover off, then lever the bottom of the door card off.

You can then work the door panel loose by pulling the top part of the panel forward and lifting it up.

They are more expensive than Toyota Corolla parts, but cheaper than parts for a Rolls Royce. Generally, most European vehicles will have more expensive parts compared to a similar Japanese or Korean car and the Mini is no different. Finding a good independent mechanic and researching where parts can be purchased cheaper is how many owners save money.

Take it to a good independent mechanic and have them do it, as you don't save enough money doing the job yourself to make it worthwhile spending the time sourcing your own oil and filter, jacking the car up, risking scaling yourself with hot oil while draining the old oil, making a mess when filling the new oil, then disposing of the old oil (you can't put it in your bin!).

Pull the bonnet release lever, found on the driver's side A-pillar near the pedals, then walk to the front of the car. Approximately 30cm to the right of the Mini badge on the bonnet (hood) there is a button. Push that and lift, and the bonnet (hood) will open.

Current-generation Minis use H4 Halogen in their low beam lights, and you need to ensure you have the ignition switched off and to never, ever touch the globes with your bare hands. Open the bonnet and pop open the cover protecting the back of the headlight. Disconnect the wiring plug and unclip the wire retainer holding the globe in by pinching the open end of the clip together while swinging it out. You can then remove the globe and switch it over. Adjusting headlights should be performed by a qualified mechanic to ensure they don't blind other motorists or leave you lacking proper illumination.

The easiest way is to sell the naturally aspirated Cooper and buy a factory high-performance model like a GP Edition or a Cooper S John Cooper Works model.

I am not sure as you didn't supply pics of it. Mini sell a two door Convertible model, a three door hatch, a five door hatch, a five door Clubman wagon, plus an off-road-inspired five door variant called the Countryman. They also sell the high-performance John Cooper Works model.

You can't programme a new key fob to your MINI without specialist software that reads your car's computer, but you can change the CR2032 battery in the key fob yourself.

Use the button on the side of the key fob to slide the emergency key out, then pop out the middle section on the back of the key using a flat-head screwdriver. Slot the screwdriver into the exposed tab and lift up to reveal the battery.

Reassembly is the reverse of this procedure.

The fastest one you can buy. The John Cooper Works and GP models are genuinely fun cars that have personality for days and make driving a joy.