Aluminum Coolant Reservoir Bottle Tank for 02-06 Mini Cooper S R52 05-08 Convertible S R53

The TIG welds on this reservoir are excellent. I like the polished appearance. It was very easy to install (about 20 minutes) and is a quick upgrade to the notoriously defective stock plastic reservoir (shown next to it in the pic). All the necessary mounting hardware was included and the bottom allen bolts were easy to tighten and add security to the stock arrangement.I added an overflow line to the fitting on the neck. The included cap works well. It is a "captive" Stant type cap inside the machined aluminum cap. The cap was a little difficult to use at first but, after a few twists on and off, it seats and seals well. I will look for a Stant replacement if it ever fails. The tank is smaller than the stock item, which is appreciated in a crowded engine compartment. So far, no more mysteriously missing coolant.It is a keeper.The Mini has been driven daily for two months and the coolant level hasn't changed.

Be aware that you will receive a drastically different part than what is show in the pictures. It may have once been the tank with the OEM style cap, but they switched the design to the much cheaper style that comes with a custom cap that cannot be replaced down the road. It will fit the car, but again, it is not what is shown in the pictures or the description. You can find the new style from other sellers for less than half the price.

This is a great replacement for the aging plastic expansion tank. It uses the original OEM style cap. There are no installation instructions, so I will supply them.First, take the supplied hex cap screws and put the washers on them.Turn the unit so that the large threaded opening is facing down.Put the screws with washers into the threaded bungs and tighten. (now when you install the unit the hex cap screws will sit in the holes where the original tank was)You don't have to drain the coolant, just pump/siphon the coolant out of the tank.You can then remove the top hose clamp and hose.Then remove the 10mm nut holding the tank at the top.You should be able to remove the tank by rotating toward the front of the car while pulling. (You can disconnect the coil pack connector by pulling out the red tab slightly then pull the connector off, you can also pull the plug wires on the back side to give you more clearance.)There should be enough slack to pull the tank up above the coolant level, then you can remove the bottom hose clamp and hose. The tank will be free, you can then install the new tank.Put the bottom hose and clamp on the new tank.You can then put the hex cap screws into the holes in the bracket that the original tank rested on.You should be able to rotate the tank so that the threaded post goes through the tab at the top.Put the 10mm nut on the post and tighten.Reattach top hose and clamp.Refill the tank to a few centimeters above the ring that you can see when you look into the tank.Screw your OEM cap back on and you are good to go.I hope this helps.

It's a great deal for the price, and I'd buy it again even though I need to knock a star off of it.1. I didn't have the hex screws included with mine, but from the reviews everyone else got them and their omission was probably just a simple packing mistake. In the end, that might have actually saved me a headache. I ran to Lowes and got a couple of M6 bolts that extended well through the mounts when inserting from the top; boom, instant pegs, and I didn't have to try to screw it in from the bottom. A little red Loctite to keep them from ever backing out.2. The top port where the hose attaches is around the 2:30 position on the clock when looking down. When installed, the hose is tight against the power steering reservoir bracket, and I was worried that over time it would wear a cut in the hose. The position of the port needs to be rotated a few degrees forward. A couple of minutes with a Dremel tool on the bracket solved that problem.Other than those two points, it's solid and pretty. It's even easier to slide into place than an OEM tank. If I get another R53, I'd probably buy another one of these. Can't beat the value.

The unit fit perfectly in my 2006 mini cooper s convertible. Cap was high quality. Finish and welds were high quality. Instead of studs at the bottom of the tank, they used Allen screw, but it went in smooth regardless.

Says specifically that it fits ‘08 Mini Cooper. It does not come close. Damned chi-coms.

BMW has a critical flaw with the original plastic they use for this bottle in the car. BMW makes the bottle by glueing a top and bottom half together. You know where I'm going with this one right? Yep over time that glue breaks down with all the heat and pressure leading to leaks. I constantly bought replacement bottles every couple years. But now that problem will never happen again.This is one of the easiest updates to the car that you absolutely must do! This product looks great and functions better than the original for less than buying multiple replacements from BMW.

This product was a cinch to install. The manufacture - polished aluminum and elegantly welded seams - made it almost too pretty to install! Perfect fit and I expect it's robust design to allow it to far outlive the original equipment. Keep your old cap!!