Hi there,

After deciding that my head gasket had gone I was going to have a go at replacing it myself. I have read that it's not possible to skim a cooper S head. Is this the case?

I have been offered a head by a friend who replaced his when he got the works kit for the car. My car is a 2003 his is a 2005 both cooper S. His head has only done about 30 miles and has been dry stored since replacing. Will the 2005 fit mine and is this a viable alternative?

Also if I do go for this what else should I change......obviously all of the gaskets and bolts.

Cheers

Should be ok, looks like nothing much changed enginewise for those years and cylinder head part numbers seem to have remained the same........you can check and compare yourself the part numbers for different years of R53 MCS here:
RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog (http://realoem.com/bmw/)

RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S Cylinder Head (http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=11_3085&hg=11&fg=15)

Some DIY guides here:
Mini*Cooper*DIY*--*SooperCooperInfo.com (http://soopercooperinfo.com/lindaminidiy11-09.html)

Yep should be no probs using that head.

Hi

i am of the same opinion of the guys above
only thing you may possible need is a new bolt for the camshaft gear
item 8
RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S Timing and valve train-timing chain (http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=11_3095&hg=11&fg=25)

It may be worth getting the supercharger horn gaskets give you a little more space
http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=17_0235&hg=17&fg=05


if it was me for the bit of extra work while you have the head off i would do you supercharger oil both ends make shore there ok can get the kits from ebay for the eaton SC oil change
depending on how many miles your car has done i would put a new timing chain and guides and tensioner in there not that expensive
RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S Timing and valve train-timing chain (http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=11_3095&hg=11&fg=25)

only thing i would say doing the head swap is make shore your cam timing is 100% correct
hope this helps you out remember post some pictures and take lots of them as you take it apart you help you reassemble

Good idea!........Supercharger oil service info here:
https://wiki.bentleypublishers.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=112296222