The silicone 45 came from E-bay, I think I paid $8, better than the $48 I was quoted at the local mod shop.

I used aluminium as it is easy to work with, started by making a cardboard template and then worked on the real plate, quick squirt of black paint and done. You barely see it so checker plate would be wasted.

 

I apologize up front if this has already been posted but I'm surprised if someone hasn't mentioned the classic paperclip brake light mod.

On the 2002-2003 Coopers there were non-functioning fog lights above the brake lights. You could form a simple jumper using a paperclip bridging between positions 1 and 4 on the back of the plug. Pow! You just doubled your brake lights for the cost of two paperclips and it looks awesome.

 

Beware.....Be very aware.
I recently had to replace a very expensive Body Control Module because of this mod. Do a search, there are safer ways to do this using a resistor instead of a paper clip.

Jim

 

+1
that and at least one of the brake lights on each side should be an LED or the BCM can also be dammaged by the higher load caused by the extra bulb...The BCM is just lights the lights using something like a amplifier...it is digital, not an analog 12v switch like older cars, so an extra bulb changes both the wattage and the resistive load(Ohms) that it must produce.

 

Does the paperclip mod usually trigger an immediate failure or does it pop after a period of time? I ask because I've had my mod in for 8 years now so far with (knocking on head) no problems so far. What is the resistor wattage that one should use as I can find no mention of it here on NAM?

That said, assuming one uses the appropriate resistor and you don't cook your BCM I think this still sounds as a great cheap mod.

And I appreciate the heads up.

 

Actually you use a diode to prevent the voltage backfeeding to the bcm on the rear fog wires....some debate since those parts of the bcm are not active...but who knows...I think the extra wattage is more of an issue, but red led's are avalable that should fit and solve that issue...many posts on this item, but the LEDs don't cost much!!
It seems to be a longer term issue...so maybe depending on you brake light use everything is fine, but folks that do lots of city driving might have issues quicker.

 

Let's see.......I've had my car since 11/03, and did the mod shortly after. Instead of the paper clip, I used a jumper wire Scotch-Locked to the tail lamp harness. Worked fine until just a couple of months ago. Then POOF! No more worky! Removed the jumpers and had a new BCM installed.

Jim

 

This thread is pretty resourceful!
I did the door plugs, just made a custom air plate diverter, black plasti-dipped my stock S-lites, plasti-dipped the hood scoop which used to be BRG. I plan on doing the VGS mod fairly soon after modding the intercooler cover to seal better and a new scoop design. That reminds me.. I opened up the back of the air box to get more fresh air in, but now I realize it needs a flap for when it rains to keep water splatter away from filter.
Currently I'm just doing things that I think will help my car run more efficiently. Staying away from few design ideas running through my head.

I'm also wondering if I should change my current open box K&N CAI setup to have a stainless steel top. I'm going to be busy for a few days.. hehehe

 

Oh I forgot to mention that I have white pvc elbows sitting in cup holders serving as gauge housings. I'm still hooking up the boost line for the boost gauge so I'll post pictures after that.

 

or maybe 45 elbows for a better viewing angle?

 

The 45 deg elbow would be perpendicular to the floor so it wouldn't be a good angle for me. The gauges are sitting underneath the toggle switches, and the 60 deg angle works better IMO. I also have both of them pointing up slighty to the driver and although no permanent fixture yet, it won't fall out of the cup holders. And since the air fuel ratio is always oscillating, it's not in my eye-line which may be annoying if mounted by the tach. I spent about 5 bucks or less on "mount."

 

Pics!

 

Will take and post couple of pictures in the morning

 

Here are the two pvc elbows holding the gauges... Sorry for the poor picture quality & sideways pictures (tilt 90deg) hehe

O and I shortened the shift shaft a lot

Edit: I may spray the pvc to flat black (plasti-dip) or decide to go with a white theme inside... Any suggestions?

 

1. My custom APD prototype (likely to make it a bit sturdier) (<$7)
2. license plate holder using the original tow hook (<$5 materials)
3. And I was inspired by the cold this morning to make a metal top for the air filter box.

All could be considered functional "prototypes" but not necessarily finalized.
Suggestions and comments are welcome!
I can post add'l pics of any of these mods if desired

 

first picture just shows how the air box top fits in the box and matches the APD.
Second picture shows the metal top in the works. And lastly that was my friend's Chile Red hood scoop swapped for fun, before I plasti-dipped my BRG hood scoop to matte black! (looks like christmas doesn't it?!)

I'm looking at the stock intercooler air diverter now... either improve the stock one or build from scratch, not sure yet.

 

I tilted my head 90º and then they were upside down....

Maybe I should think about copying this idea until I finally get the gauge pods happening. I've had the gauges since Christmas!

C ya,
Dutch

 

those cupholders are not very useful for holding beverages anyway... once the boost gauge line is fed to the vacuum one of these days, I'll make it a better looking fixture.

 

This is temporary, right? Are you going to paint them or at least take off the bar code? Sorry, but this cheap mod looks exactly that.

 

yes it is a cheap mod and sure it can be called dorky (no need to apologize, I don't think it's a bad thing), and I did mention plasti-dipping to black... which means spraying them with plastic coating so it won't be white anymore.

 

Thread needs a revival !!

 

So you're suggesting a mod that has been working perfectly for 8 years is the root cause of a part failure today? Man, you have a low bar for establishing causality. You could also possibly attribute it to that time you played Justin Timberlake's "Cry me a river" in your CD player. Some people have suggested BCMs commit suicide exactly 8 years after such a horrible trauma.

 

A few ppl here and on MA have had the BCM go out, and the diagnosis from Mini was the jumper wire fried it, meaning customer on the hook for the replacement cost.

If your BCM does go out, and you have the brake-light mod remove it before you take it in to the dealership.


[edit]
"you don't have to say, what you did. I already know. I found out from THIS" --mini tech holding up paper clip
"...the damage is done so I guess I'll be leaving..." --your car's BCM

That is all.

 

Well if you're talking about getting Mini to cover it I'm totally with you to remove any excuse they might use to refuse warranty. You're absolutely right there.

However, if we're talking about actual causality...that seems to be another issue entirely.

 

My latest mod is really a fix. The glovebox door kept falling open. I see you have to replace the whole unit because of the latch failing. I stuffed a paper napkin under the latch hook. So far so good!