The Mini Library Reviews...

BMC Mini Cooper and Cooper S (MkI) Driver's Handbook

Supplied with car for driver information for Mini Cooper buyers, with a supplement for the Cooper 'S'. The booklet is divided into the following sections:

General data: all engine et al. specifications for the .997 and .998 Coopers, including location of UK-specific identification numbers. For interest, these are as follows:

Body number: stamped on a metal plate fixed to grille panel stiffener;
Car number: on a plate mounted between the radiator and left-hand wing valence;
Engine number: on a metal plate fixed to the right-hand side of the cylinder block;
Transmission casing assembly: stamped on the casing face just below starter motor;
Ignition key number: stamped on the key, not the ignition switch;

Controls and instruments: 4 pp. include a labelled diagram driver's view showing pedals, gear positions, all instruments and switches, where each switch, gauge, needle, lens etc is located on the steering column, in the instrument fascia, or beneath the parcel shelf, including a short text on what each does/shows;
Heater: a page on heater operation - 3 positions.......(!)
Bodywork: A page of instructions on maintenance of coachwork, bright trim, windscreen and interior;
Body: Again, UK-specific features (e.g. sliding windows vs. wind-ups in Oz from 1965). Gives details of handles, winders, latches, etc for the Cooper. Refers to boot board ('floor') of luggage compartment, although doesn't show it, but does show brackets and supports for it. Also a paragraph not present in the standard Mini handbook, on the electric fuel pump;
BMC seat belts: standard instructions on care and maintenance of static and retractable belts.
Running instructions: basic instructions from running in, starting up, choice of fuel, warming up (idling slowly is definitely harmful), and what to do with wet brakes;
Cooling system: Tips on maintaining, draining, refilling....with a detailed section on frost precautions.... how much antif-freeze is required for a given freezing temperature.
Ignition Equipment: Clues on static timing, how to find the timing marks on the flywheel, setting spark plug gaps, setting points, adjusting the distributor;
Electrical: Basic battery maintenance; explanation of where the two fuses are; where the voltage regulator is; how to free a jammed starter pinion; 5 pp. of details of headlights/tail-lights on various models, and how to replace them, a section on replacing warning light bulbs, but not what they warn of (which is detailed in the Mk 2 owner's manual) and a note on fuel pump maintenace. A table gives the volts/watts/part number of 13 possible globes for LHD and RHD cars. Two wiring diagrams are given for: Mini Cooper to 1964, Cooper and Cooper 'S' 1964 onwards (UK-built);
Wheels and tyres: Clearly illustrated methods of how to jack the car, change road wheels and maintain the jack;
Care of Tyres: How to examine and diagnose tyre faults, how to remove and replace tyres (yes, physically take it off the rim by yourself......Cooper owners used to do this!), and how to change the wheels to maximize tyre life;
Carburetters: Starts with slow-running adjustment and synchronization of the twin SU's, how to adjust the mixture for optimum running, adjust linkages;
Hydraulic Brake Systems: Preventive maintenance of lining, hoses, pipes, fluid etc.
Maintenance attention: 13 pp. of detailed instructions, with diagrams, of what to do weekly (radiator, oil, tyre pressure, battery); 3,000 miles or 3 months (grease points, battery, carb. damper, brake and clutch master cylinders, brake adjustment, brake liners, change oil, clean air filters, adjust steering column clamp bolt, check headlight alignment) 6,000 miles or 6 months (most other moving parts) and 12,000 miles or 12 months (water pump, spark plugs, etc). Comprehensive section, covers most mechanical things that wear and can stop your Cooper in it's tracks;
Hydrolastic suspension / Oil filter warning light: on the same page - describes what they do;
Maintenance summary: 3+ pp. checklist of what to do every 3,000, 6,000 and 12,000 miles;
BMC Service factory exchange unit scheme: is described, whereby used engines, transmissions etc were exchanged for reconditioned units by BMC;
Key to Lubrication Diagram: Schematic of car showing lubrication points, a page of lubrication frequency, and a page table of recommended lubricants at a range of environmental conditions.
The Mini-Cooper 'S' Supplement: 2 pp. of general data...specifications of the Cooper 'S' with the variants 970 cc, 1070 cc and 1275 cc (UK specific), plus one page of addenda to the general Cooper instructions, e.g. no vacuum advance on the distributor, and use 100 octane fuel for maximum performance.
A 2 pp. index concludes the booklet.

Verdict: The Cooper booklet appears to be a resequence of the standard Mini Owner's manual with a couple of paragraphs inserted for UK Cooper-specific options. The same comments as for the Mk 2 Owner's Manual apply...these are the basic questions first-time Mini Cooper owners were/are likely to encounter, and now the subject of many postings to the MOWOG on the global mini-list (i.e. FAQ's). The dedicated long-term Cooperphile will be aware of everything covered here, certainly all is treated in much more detail in the BMC/Leyland or after-market service manuals. Nevertheless a useful component of (in this case) the UK Cooper or Cooper 'S' 'glovebox'. As noted for the Mk 2 manual, Coopers produced in other countries, particularly Australia, had different specifications or options not covered in the UK manuals.

Russ Shiel

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