Hi Everyone, I'm in Portland, OR. I just purchased a 2004 Mini Cooper S, Dark Silver, 6 speed manual from a wrecking yard. It was vandalized. Keyed (scratched up and down the side of the car), seats cut, some of the instrument panel pocked in. It was considered a total loss, someone was really mad at someone. Anyway, it runs amazing. Most damage appears cosmetic and it doesn't look that bad once I cleaned it up. Other than the vandalism, the car is in great shape and drives great.
I have wanted a Cooper S for quite sometime, decided to take on a project. I have already replaced fuses, got most everything working. Here are the main things that I have to do.

1. Both low beam headlights are not working (they are Xenon), high beams are fine. Not sure if bulbs are burned out or if ballasts are bad - strange that they are both out???
2. Back-up light not working - not sure how to get to the bulb??
3. Black pillar cover missing on passenger side
4. Replace seats (already looking in wrecking yards and online)
5. Replace tachometer (same as #2)
6. Possibly put in a headliner (it's not that bad)
7. Paint the lower half (don't worry I have some friendly help here so it won't cost an arm and a leg)

My wife and I are thrilled to have it and are really excited about getting it back in shape. We just drove it 300 miles today RT to Seattle and it didn't miss a beat!

I will post pics within a couple of days so that you can see the "before" before we do much more.

I am reasonably handy mechanically but have never worked on Minis.

My biggest concern is getting the headlights working so any advice here would be greatly appreciated or for that matter - any advice concerning the whole thing.

thanks!