Forgot to mention. When replacing the rear brake pads, the piston needs to be rotated as it is pressed back into the caliper. Here is the tool:

Mini Cooper Cooper S R50-r53 Gen1 R55-r61 Gen2 F55 (minimania.com)

You may be able to find a comparable tool at harbor freight as well.

Quick favor to ask. When you're done with your list, could you post the total you spent on parts and the hours it took? Thanks in advance!

Many thanks Kenatminimania

MINI uses a lot of Torx screws - if you don't have a set of torx drivers, you will need some.

When replacing the shocks, you will need a spring compressor. Nothing special - you can probably find some at harbor freight.

If you are doing the clutch, a clutch alignment tool to align the clutch disc to the flywheel & gearbox will be handy.

When you bleed the clutch, the slave needs to be fully compressed and there is a special tool for this.

It's been a while since I worked on a gen1 so I may have missed something - but that is all that comes to mind at the moment.

Many thanks guys. And yes I need to replace struts, shocks and brakes all around. The good news is I have a nice garage and it's a 2nd car so its not like I have to be in a rush to finish once I start. The bad news is this job looks crazy, the amount of things one must take apart and remove, I am not looking forward to it but, local indys here are quoting $2,500 and $3,000 just to install the clutch kit...ouch, cant do that :)

Follow-up: other than the tool needed to take the supercharger pully off, or release tension, is there any other special tool I will need for this work?

Since you are tackling this project, I will assume you plan to keep it.

If you are servicing the clutch, replace the guide tube for the throw out bearing as well. Also, while the gearbox is out, replace the rear main seal. You may need to replace the flywheel depending on condition.

Check condition of all hoses (coolant & vacuum lines), serpentine belt, plug wires, ignition coil (check for cracks).

Check for other signs of oil leaks (valve cover gasket, timing chain cover, oil pan, etc).

That's all that comes to mind..

I think you've got it covered. Of course, I would change out the spark plugs, and fluids depending on previous maintenance intervals. Shocks are probably done at this point if they are OEM. Good luck! The R53 is a great model. I track mine around the NE and it never fails to make me grin from ear to ear...

What up team, first post on new to me 2005 R53 S with 6 speed manual, 155K miles - given to me by my brother in law as it leaks oil, needs a new clutch, struts and shocks and brakes all around...hey I'm happy to tackle it. 

I see the clutch job is brutal, but regardless if I can do it myself, what items would you be sure to tackle while all that is apart? I come up with:
- service the supercharger
- water pump and t-stat
- change crank shaft position sensor and o-ring

What else am I missing?

Many thanks guys!