[Lloyd227]

"...Are the Coopers American or British? "

Actually, they're far more German than anything else. American designer provided the styling, the company is historically British, but now owned by BMW, the engine is pure BMW and the component assembly is obvioiusly German when you start removing parts.

"Officially" it's got some British manufacturing involved, but I don't see it when I start pulling wrenches... distinctly German in every mechanical way that I can see.

Cheers,
Lloyd

[Shawndell Green]

I followed the instructions in the Bentley manual
when replacing the clutch in a Volkswagen Vanagon and by following the instructions step and step and going slow, I got the job done. The parts must be smaller and lighter on a Mini, so, as you have already stated, it is time to start taking the beast apart and seeing what you can see.