So I got a chance to pick up a mini for a really good price. Just needs a little tlc. Since I'm pretty handy in the garage I figured, what the heck, I need the milage at my new job anyways. (I was driving a jacked up wrangler and getting oh about 10mpg or so)

So my mini is an 03 cooper blue with white top, white mirrors and white stripes on the hood. It came with 19" rims and a the dsc and tpsm light on. I was told it was because of the rims, but I'm still looking into these things.

So far I've replaced the windshield (3 chops and a crack) and fixed the seats (they only reclined all the way).

I've also installed a k&n cai. Ngk wires (blue of course), Ngk plugs (had 2 ngk, 1 ac delco an 1 bosch in it when I got it). I put in a new kenwood radio using the steering wheel controls. I also just installed, well mostly installed, halo headlights. I'm waiting on my tail lights to be delivered.

There's a list as long as my......arm of things I wanna/need to do. Headliner is drooping, speed sensor is out someplace, front bumper cover just isn't right, external temp is broken, and a few other things here and there.

I'd love to meet some other Chicago mini owners.

 

Welcome, I'm in Bolingbrook. Also check out http://chicagominiclub.com/

 

I've been on their site.

Maybe its the end of the season, but I'm looking for a group that meets more often.

Maybe I'm too into my mini right now.

 

Welcome, doesn't sound like anything hard to fix.

 

Nah not too hard. I just gotta find the time!

I also want to find a reasonably priced obdii scanner that does mini codes. Any particular recomendations?

 

Scangauge works great,

or for even more diagnostic abilities the Bav Techinic works great.

 

I don't think the scanguage is exactly what I'm looking for. The bav techinic is better, but a little outta my price range right now.

I'm mainly looking for a scanner that will read obdii codes as well as the mini specific code if possible. Something that'll do obdii on all car 1996 and up as well as do specific codes.

And it looks like this weekend im doing my own little mini garage day in my garage. I'm collecting parts and dedicating all weekend to work. Start disassembly Friday night, work all day Saturday and start reassembly Sunday. I should be able to get a lot done. Especially if the parts I ordered come in before the weekend. ::crosses fingers::

 

Welcome and congrats on the MINI:-D.


But go Lions;-).

 

ok, front bumper cover is off... and it's a bit disappointing.

Sigh... damage under the cover, damage to the cover, just plain damage. And I'm not going to be able to get a new bumper cover any time soon. Too much money.

The bumper cover is currently being held together with drywall screws and some of the original bolts. Other bolt holes are either damaged or missing bolts all together.

The external temperature sensor is just 2 wires hanging down. I've got to figure out how to make a new plug for it. Looks like a trip to radio shack tomorrow.

Both the housings for the fog lights were broken. Well, the housings and the mounts were both broken it looks like. I'm going to end up covering the holes probably. Either that or use them for brake cooling ducts. Or something. I'm just a bit disappointed in hot they look right now.

Other than that, I guess it's not too bad. I still have to figure out which wheel sensor is bad. Although, I did notice a wire hanging down by the rear passenger tire. So that's possibly the bad sensor. Either that, or... umm... another wire? Brake pad sensor maybe? I'm not sure.

Anyone in Chicago wanna stop by and help me try to piece this thing together tomorrow? I'll supply the beer, the tools, lunch, whatever. I know I could work on it myself, I just have a feeling it would be easier with a couple people.

Oh well... time to do a little research tonight and then get up early to do some shopping.

 

Sounds like you've got your work cut out.
Have fun
New Lenox here

 

Hey peterpan, have I seen your jcw at the promenade by chance?

 

I've got to work all weekend and I am not that mechanical, but check out the Chicago MINI Motoring Club for-sale area.. There are some bumper covers for sale.. Don't know if that will work for you or not..

http://chicagominiclub.com/boot-sales/

 

Thanks! I'll check it out. I had been looking on there, but looks like I stopped about a week to soon.

 

Well, looks like I'm going to be mini-less to start the week.

I took my external temp sensor with to find parts to build an adapter and I ended up losing it somehow.

New one is coming Tuesday, so I won't be able to get it back together till Tuesday night or Wednesday night.

If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all.