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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Excellent results. I've never tried clear coating. After getting the haze off, I usually wax to maintain each time I wax the car.
I've always used Plast-X on a buffer for 30-40 min to get my headlights restored, and its always been satisfactory. I tried the same process and my headlights were way too fogged. This technique took a little more time, but they look 90% new at the moment.. but then again I still need to wet sand the clear coat.
Just picked him up from the shop. Got some new Koni Orange Streets and an Hotchkis rear swaybar installed. Way better than the busted and probably original shocks that were on my car before.
Finally removed some 12 year old window tint and cell phone system from my barn find. Should have been done.....blah blah blah, lol. Feels good to get around to some productive projects on the Mini.
I stopped by my mechanic who's has my JCW on the lift since Monday. New front end/suspension parts, valeo SM clutch, water pump, power steering hoses, shift cables, motor mounts, and various gaskets/fluids. I've stopped calculating costs at this point. I came in for a clutch and strut mounts.
Should drive like a new car when its done. I cant get over how many little things I keep having to order as the mechanic dives deeper.
I stopped by my mechanic who's has my JCW on the lift since Monday. New front end/suspension parts, valeo SM clutch, water pump, power steering hoses, shift cables, motor mounts, and various gaskets/fluids. I've stopped calculating costs at this point. I came in for a clutch and strut mounts.
Should drive like a new car when its done. I cant get over how many little things I keep having to order as the mechanic dives deeper.
Looks like fun! Havent we all been there a time or two? Well, might as well while I am "in there"... haha Half the fun is digging to the piece you need to replace. And then there are all these goodies along the way to swap out.
Money? We don't need no stinking money!
Good part is that yes, the Mini will feel like new again.
Finally go to take a nice drive on the interstate after new rear control arms, 4 tires, 4 wheel ligament, 2 front bushings, 2 strut mounts, ps hoses, K&N air filter and oil change on a 2005 R53 S with 115k miles that I bought for $3700. Well, it pulls real strong and corners better than a base 2011 I owned previously. Slight oil l ask noticed as I backed out of garage is next on the list for repair.
Finally got to take a nice drive on the interstate after new rear control arms, 4 tires, 4 wheel alignment, 2 front bushings, 2 strut mounts, ps hoses, K&N air filter and oil change on a 2005 R53 S with 115k miles that I bought for $3700. Well, it pulls real strong and corners better than a base 2011 I owned previously. Slight oil spot noticed as I backed out of garage is next on the list for repair.
Finally got to take a nice drive on the interstate after new rear control arms, 4 tires, 4 wheel alignment, 2 front bushings, 2 strut mounts, ps hoses, K&N air filter and oil change on a 2005 R53 S with 115k miles that I bought for $3700. Well, it pulls real strong and corners better than a base 2011 I owned previously. Slight oil spot noticed as I backed out of garage is next on the list for repair.
Appears to be Crankshaft Position Sensor Seal. Since oil was justness changed, I think I'll wait until next oil change and monitor the oil level regularly until then.
Mine 2009 MCS, bought it 3mo ago,drove great,2weeks later the traffic light smoke rear struts want bad $1100 on 4 struts, with lowering springs,week later bad front bearings $600,still the smoke on idle,new valve cover $300+,still smoke,catch can $160 still smoke,pulled head full head job $2200 no longer smoke bad valve seals 58600miles on the odo.2 sets of wheels 17x7 jcw challenge xxr553 17x8.25 Bridgestone tires and tower brace typhoon CAI new plugs m7 cold and hot side rear adjustable arms m7 sway bar fresh transmission fluid all new pcv hoses $6822 $o I can have my mini drive like new.lol what's in your voulet, forgot to add while my car was at shop the first time before I found my trusty mini specialist looks like they could not find the hood release and dented it since I could see the big dent right at the edge of the hood that looked like a palm of someone's hand and they said oh no it was there....Lol So I just changed it with VIS carbon hood $750.
Ben
Mine 2009 MCS, bought it 3mo ago,drove great,2weeks later the traffic light smoke rear struts want bad $1100 on 4 struts, with lowering springs,week later bad front bearings $600,still the smoke on idle,new valve cover $300+,still smoke,catch can $160 still smoke,pulled head full head job $2200 no longer smoke bad valve seals 58600miles on the odo.2 sets of wheels 17x7 jcw challenge xxr553 17x8.25 Bridgestone tires and tower brace typhoon CAI new plugs m7 cold and hot side rear adjustable arms m7 sway bar fresh transmission fluid all new pcv hoses $6822 $o I can have my mini drive like new.lol what's in your voulet, forgot to add while my car was at shop the first time before I found my trusty mini specialist looks like they could not find the hood release and dented it since I could see the big dent right at the edge of the hood that looked like a palm of someone's hand and they said oh no it was there....Lol So I just changed it with VIS carbon hood $750.
Ben
That's a heck of a Mini start. At least there's no more smoke or dent!!!
A huge bunch of cash gone into your Mini for sure, but must admit that it's looking really good. Those wheels alone are amazing. Go easy and don't scare the neighbors too much!
No, I feel like a 4 wheel brake job is in the very near future.
And I like to do a wide body work on it,that I may do my self with fome spray sanding and fiberglass on the arches.
My other car is a wide body,this is at texas track works getting Tag motorsport lowering springs and 7mm front and 15mm rear spacers of course nothing is complete without CAI last week.
Ben
There are limited wide body kits for Minis, and most likely quite expensive. Home made would work for rear wheel well, but front would be tricky, since the bonnet is not part of the wheel well molding.
I'm sure you've googled for them... here's one of the nicer examples that popped up when I googled wide body stuff for Minis...
Pretty understated for a kit type, except the extreme drop. I like the idea of a built in wide body look without the add on wheel well flare look, but I think would want to have a good body shop do that. That's body work well above my skill level.
Tell us what you decide on and show the results. You have a good start for sure.
Nice looking Porsche. A whole set of quantum steps up the ladder from your MCS.
Wow what a beautiful mini,wished I could do that to mine but for some reason r56 back end is to high and I have I think too much meet on my wheels.but I also found these. http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/Fla..._ZMAFR/619020/
Yep the porsche is a great car but not a mini.will call them tomorrow to see what I'll get for $333.
Ben
Yesterday my '05 MCS got new EBC rotors, Green stuff pads, stainless brake lines, pad wear sensors, brake fluid, and an oil change.
All progress in the preventative maintenance.
Then I got confirmation that a rear hub bearing is going bad. Now I know the next repair!
UPDATE: we replaced that rear hub assembly last night. Oh man what a difference in road noise - or lack of! I knew it would be considerable - but it was a measured 10dB difference (FYI a 6dB difference is about 2x louder).
Last edited by asylum sound; 02-10-2017 at 10:32 AM.
01-18-2017, 08:23 PM
