I decided to start this thread to show how a bit of detailing, ok make that a LOT of detailing
can transform a MINI in ragged condition to show car quality--especially when viewed from a few feet away.
Of course eventually there was painting involved, but still detailing and paying attention to the details is what makes this ongoing transformation so much fun.
My black MINI's began life in Wisconsin with it's former owner. 37,000 joyful miles turned to tears during a fateful journey across the US to the ports in Long Beach, California to be transported to Hawaii along with the owner.
But as luck would have it, the MINI broke down along the way and ended up in a storage yard about 15 minutes from where I live for 3 weeks awaiting a decision on whether it should be sold or fixed by the owner who was already in Hawaii.
I see the plea for help on NAM, and perfect timing for me because I had been thinking about selling my 2003 Cooper for months and was just waiting for the perfect MINI to come along. Yes indeed, it was almost exactly what I would have spec'd myself had I had the chance to custom order my MINI.
In a funny twist of fate, after I responded to the seller, I was able to actually meet him in person because I was headed to Hawaii the following week on a cruise. And that meeting was an even further test of how badly I wanted this car because he wasn't able to meet up with me until my last day in Hawaii. I waited at the airport, and he was hours late as he lost his wallet on his way to meet me and wasn't able to take the bus and literally had to walk until he couldn't walk due to a freeway separating him and me at the airport! Finally a kind stranger gave him some change to hop on a bus to get across the street to the airport. And finally we met and he gave me the keys so I could take this picture when I returned back home.
BUGs!!!!
Washed twice and it still didn't look very good!
Washed and polished along my 15" wheels installed
New Wheels and Strassentech Lip
At my body shop getting sanded and repainted due to an errant blown tire from a truck that hit my bonnet and to finally get rid of the bug impact marks from it's previous life.
Chrome Xenons and JCW Carbon Fiber Mirror Caps
Custom Painted Xenons with Black Matte Vinyl Trim Rings
One More Before Shot
Process Shot
Completed
Final Pictures with Ociari Scoops, Aero Kit Side Skirts and black tinted side markers
Specs are:
LSD
Cold Weather
Convenience
Premium
Sport
Heated Cloth Seats (Space Cloth)
Mods M7 16% pulley
Alta Intake
Alta Oil Catch Can
Detroit Tuned Bypass Valve
HSports springs changed to H&R Green with FSDs
Factory painted aerokit skirts
Invidia G300 Exhaust
22MM RSpeed Sway Bar
Jackson Racing Red plug wires (replaced corroded red plug wires)
Gauge pod including Boost and Oil pressure gauges (only Boost gauge is hooked up)
LOTF Engine Damper
Whalen Shift Machine Knob
Hyundai Shift Boot
Custom rear mounted CCD VacuCam
Custom painted Xenons
Black Matte Xenon Trim Rings
MINI Fini Sport Link
Ian Cull Auto Up Circuit
Euro Shelf
20% tint
Garmin Nuvi 350 with custom cupholder mount
Valentine 1 with remote display
Exterior Details
Black Wow on trim
Prima Swirl shine
Prima Epic protection
Slick for daily gloss
Future
Painted Interior Pieces in Jet Black
Painted engine parts
Repaint of bonnet and rear quarter panel due to quality issues.
