what is this stumble you're talkin bout?

 

sorry to hear bout ur MINI minitenango. I hope she will be all better soon.

I hate how all cars seem to take up all that extra space in parking spots too. I seem to notice this more when I park. I ALWAYS park in a corner somewhere and hug a curb, and then I don't pull all the way to the front of the spot. I stay towards the rear of the spot, just so I don't have to worry bout the idiot parking in front of me. YOu wouldn't believe the number of cars i have seen crossed over that line. i always park towards the rear of the spot also so I don't curb my aero bumper.

 

Hey Blumini

I've noticed a little delay, or "stumble" when the RPM's are around 3k. Not always, but if I'm tooling around town it seems as if I either need to shift up and lug it or shift down and run the rpm's higher. If I need to punch it, I might get a slight delay. Like I said, this doesn't always happen but it has a few times

I thought I read that it might be related to the throttle valve (butterfly). I'll see if I can find that link again.

 

oh ok. i see. well i hope you find out what is goin on and are able to take care of it.

HOw was everyone's weekends? I hope everyone is having fun motoring!

 

TONS of fun driving the MINI, but not enough true motoring! We've gone twice now to the monthly MINI showing at the local car show and had fun there, and will spend a weekend with the local club at the end of the month for an overnight fun run - can't wait!

My husband's knee brace has marred up my passenger-side downtube so I'm hoping to find the time to do my first take-the-car-apart mod this weekend and cover both downtubes with some leather I've picked up.

Speaking of the dh, it seems my driving style is a little too aggressive for him now, and we've got a little 'discussion' going about rpms... for any of you automatic tran owners have you paid any attention to what rpms your car shifts gears? I feel I'm barely getting into it when he's in the car (and most of the time when he's not) but he thinks I'm driving Luie too hard. A little help here would be nice!

Minitenango, hope the bumper is feeling better...

And hope the rest of you are having a ball in your MINIs

 

Hi UsCoops,

Too agressive you say? I say spirited, enthusiastic, as it was meant to be. Personally, I typically shift around 4k. Thats with the MCS 6 speed around town. Of course if I need to move along faster, I shift at a higher rpm.

My MA told me that these cars were intended to be driven hard. I believe him to a point but I don't want to break something prematurely.

Perhaps you need to go to a track day or autocross, then he'll have something to compare your style to.

swizzle

 

Thanks Swizzle... Yeah, 4k is about where I was shifting without him in the car, about 3500 with him and he thinks I'm pushing it too hard! Well, maybe on next weekend's fun run he can get a feel of how it's done! really looking forward to it

 

It's even more fun when you shift around 5k. Try it...you like it! Although it maynot be for everyday driving.

swizzle

 

i normally shift in between 3 and 4K. on the weekends when i'm feeling "spirited" i'm shifting somewhere in between 5 and 6, sometimes redline. i just love hearing the S/C whine from underneath the bonnet.

 

One thing I don't like about the weather turning cooler is that I can't hear the supercharger as well when the windows are up. Maybe I'll try putting on the heat, activate the heated seats and roll the windows down

BTW - I happened to be at my local dealer the other day (just buying accessories) and my MA asked if I noticed an increase in speed with the cooler weather. It's slightly different but not terribly noticable. Anyone else detect the "free" cold air induction? This may not apply to our friends in Arizona yet.

swizzle

 

i can hear my SC with the windows closed. And yea, i have noticed that my car is faster with the colder air.

 

Hi week 23'rs.

Has anyone had to have routine service yet? Just curious how it went. Still totally digging my MINI as is the family. It's getting more use than the "other" car.

swizzle

 

No service here yet, but when it's due I'm going to have them check into the stumble around 3k rpm and a problem with a noticable pull to the left under braking. Nothing I can't live with til 1st service tho, cuz I don't want to give up Luie for the couple of days they say they'll want him!

Still lovin every minute. Got my 'USCOOPS' plates a couple of weeks ago so now we're complete. Hubby has been talking to Santa about chrome wheels for Christmas if I'm good - can't wait! Now I just need to find the time for more twisty rides. And I know what you mean about the other car - Luie was supposed to be my 'fun' car but he's somehow turned into my daily driver and fun car!

 

Santa baby..

I'm hoping for that JCW leather dash. And no, it's not made of reindeer hide.

swizzle

 

service 1 should be coming within the next week or two. I will let you guys know about it.

 

Has anyone here hit their service 1 yet? I hit mine and it went well. I was reset to another 15000 miles til the next service, which means I will hit it under the maintenance warranty.

 

Hey blue,

Nice to hear from someone in the 'ol week 23 group. Man that seems so long ago when we were waiting for the ship to come in. I still have 5k to go before my first service. I've been driving it all the time. I have a short, fun commute and can't fit the family and luggage in for long hauls.

I did, however, use my MINI to transport a small pool table and bike. Separate trips and I have a bike rack that works great!

Lastly, my new favorite thing to do is keep the accelerator pedal depressed somewhat when shifting. Fun fun fun! Not too fuel efficient but way faster.

swizzle

 

I used to that with my old car. I haven't done any speed shifting with my MINI yet. I might do it once or twice, but I won't do it on a regular basis.

I installed the m7 strut tower bar, and am loving it!

 

Does the strut tower bar give you less roll in turns?

 

Someone was asking about the first service... Ours is at 10500 miles and my airbag light came on last weekend - so I figured I'd call it in and ask to schedule my first service just a little early (according to the OBC it's due at 12500)... Guess what they told me?

If I show up more than 1000 miles from when the OBC says I need a service then they will charge me for it, instead of it being covered under the warranty... Why? I thought that was kind of dumb...

If my car is eligible for let's say three free services under the 36000 mile warranty (ie one at 12000, one at 24000, and one at 36000) then who cares exactly WHEN I do it? No?... weird...

Anyways I know why the airbag light is on so I am not exactly worried...
I had to move something large last weekend and the only way I could get it to fit in the MINI was by pulling the passenger seat out. If you turn the car on without any one component from the airbag system plugged in then then you'll get the airbag warning light which will stay on until the dealer can reset it...

-e

 

Yes, it does decrease the amount of roll you have through the turns. I was very surprised when I first went around a corner at how flat the car was staying compared to before. You will definately notice a difference.

I also got the m7 bar to help prevent mushrooming.

 

Hey Bluminiboy

I was looking into the M7 strut tower bar. Did it alter the fit of the hood bonnet in any way? Some folks say they had to spray the foam with water which I guess softens it enough to accomdate the shape of the m7 bar. Did you have to do any drilling or was it a simple bolt on? Sounds like a great little mod.

PS - had to bump the week 23 thread back to page 1

swizzle

 

swizzle, to answer your question: yes. you have to do the so called "soak & slam"

this requires spraying the underside of the bonnet with water until it's soaked and then shut the bonnet. This will allow the foam to compress more so than dry. this is the easiest solution.

if you don't do this you will notice that the top end of the bonnet, right underneath of the wipers, will be raised. And in time you're bonnet would be bent.

I did that solution and it worked fine and it now fits great!

 

Hey all!

Santa was good to me (and Luie) this year, with a new set of chrome wheels under the tree. Well, really just one of them actually under the tree but that was pretty cool! I had them put on the day after Christmas.

(also in my gallery)

My birthday is coming up this month and I've been told a 15% pulley is in my future. For someone who still says I drive the MINI too aggressively (any shifts over 3k rpm are too aggressive for him) my hubby is sure feeding the fire! I'll probably wait for my first service to have it installed (2500 mi to go), as he insists on dealer installation for warranty reasons.

Anyway I'm still crazy in love with my MINI. We've done a few things with our local club - even hosted part of a progressive dinner! - and are having a ball. DH has worked out a ride with a club member for our next run so I can run alone and drive like I want to!

 

Hey Coops,

Sweet looking rims. That is mighty nice of the hubby, considering he doesn't like your driving style. Which pully are you thinking of that the dealer would install? It's on my list too along with a cold air intake.

As for my dash, I expect them to be available this Thursday so I might be doing a little cosmetic mod work on the weekend. We'll see how that works out. Keep us up to date and Happy New Year to ya.

swizzle