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1st GearNew members: make an initial post and introduce yourself as you shift from Neutral to First Gear. Current members: meet some of the new members.
Hey guys! I have had my mini for about a year. It’s a 2006 mini S Convertible. I came from the world of Miata’s. I had a built turbo one that I raced in autox for a few years before I sold it off. So far I love my mini but I have been doing more maintenance than anything. Look forward to learning from this groups vast knowledge! I am also just a hour or so away from the tail of the dragon. So be jelly!
Welcome to the forum. Did you do a lot of research on which MINI to buy or did you just luck into buying the best? (I lucked into it personally.)
I found that there is often a lot of work needed to get our new MINIs up to the level of maintenance that we, as enthusiasts, find acceptable. After that, it should be more bearable. That said, it is not a Mazda and will require more attention to maintenance.
Oh yes I lucked into it. This car was bought with a salvage title. It had been totaled in Georgia and rebuilt but they never got the title swapped over. So I did all the title work and got the car for a good deal. It has 150k on it and runs like a top. Just whoever owned it before me didn’t do any maintaince. I have done. The rear control arm mounts. A clutch. Supercharger service. Water pump. Timing tensioner. Valve cover gasket. Oil pan gasket. Rear main. And the crank o ring. She runs like a top. Just have to get shafts next. I have a slight driveline vibration.
Hi and welcome to the NAM family!
2006 R52 is a great car and it should be major fun to drive.
Make sure to look in the gen 1 section, for a ton of info on your car.
These car were made to carve the curves!
Before you take it down 129 THE best mod you can make for the bucks is a heavier RSB, a 19 or 22MM adjustable. You won't believe the difference in handling.
The only issues other than normal wear (bushings and etc.) we've battled are the thermostat finally solved with aftermarket gasket and O sensor self inflicted not knowing about Top Tier fuel.
Regular attention to fluids and other normal wear items, change oil and rotate tires every 5K should keep things it top condition. Just last week replaced plugs with NGK Iridium IX and there is a noticeable difference.
One last note, I don't recognize that big ugly black thing hiding the interior.
Only 4 reasons in my book to put up the canvas:
1: It's raining
2. It's snowing
3. A bunch of drunks throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
4. My co-pilot is whining loud enough about being too hot or too cold that I can't hear the SC.
Topless motoring IS motoring at it's best. Welcome to the best.
One last note, I don't recognize that big ugly black thing hiding the interior.
Only 4 reasons in my book to put up the canvas:
1: It's raining
2. It's snowing
3. A bunch of drunks throwing empty beer cans in the back seat and didn't invite me.
4. My co-pilot is whining loud enough about being too hot or too cold that I can't hear the SC.
Topless motoring IS motoring at it's best. Welcome to the best.
is this better? 65” tv wouldn’t fit in wife’s car. Drove it home at the end of November top down lol. I will definitely look into the big rear sway. Also have a driveline vibration I have had the tires Balanced twice and it’s not them so I believe it may be the axles.
I can see that you've got the right attitude. All that's left now is to explore the roads less traveled.
I'm including a link to Oldboy Speedwell's recent postings showing off some of his backwoods adventures not too distant from your location.
His heading is titled "Taking the Alternate Route". Inspiring in the extreme. Too bad he has to do it under a sheet of steel. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ate-route.html
is this better? 65” tv wouldn’t fit in wife’s car. Drove it home at the end of November top down lol. I will definitely look into the big rear sway. Also have a driveline vibration I have had the tires Balanced twice and it’s not them so I believe it may be the axles.
You may want to check the wheel bearings. If you have been running run flat tires for any length of time, they are hard on them!
Ha - welcome. We are brothers from another mother. I am also living in East TN (Johnson City) and also came from Miata's. Last one was a heavily modified 2004 LS.
