Howdy all!

I decided to kick off this thread for two reasons:

1. I know many of you are probably out there tinkering around in your garages and carports, and maybe working on nifty new mods--both great and small--to your MINI. Since the winter weather prevents us from getting together as often as we might otherwise, I really miss the enjoyment of seeing your MINI and any recent changes you might have made. This thread could become a living history of our MINIs and how they stay the same or morph with time--stuff you wouldn't see unless you did some serious gallery research.

2. If you'll indulge me, it gives me the chance to show off my new vinyl-wrapped headlight rings, just installed this morning -



So, let us know what you've been up to--the big mods and the little mods. We can inspire each other.

Happy motoring!

 

Hi EIM Gang...it's just me again.

Light bar is on and functional (whew!), along with black fog light surround inserts and custom rubber Aero lower lip.



Side stripes are next on the list. They've been sitting in a box for ten weeks. Maybe if the snow ever gives up...

 

I have all the parts for the brake job and then next is either a remus or miltek exhaust not sure if I have decided which yet.

Light bar will be on by late spring hopefully


After that the debate rages (to lower or not to lower?)

 

You still got the sway bar on your list too?

I already came to terms with my personal decision not to lower. The risks in my neck of the woods (e.g., ice chunks, frost heaves, rough roads, etc.) weigh too heavily against the rewards (i.e., the awesome look). Maybe if I lived in southern California...

 

yeah sway bar as well

 

Gil-Galad
- I just placed my order for the R56 JCW grille insert and trim and wanted to do the vinyl around the headlights. (Going for the blackout look as much as I can. No Chrome) I know that you have the vinyls and I believe got them through Lyle. I'm pretty sure you did this install yourself. Was wondering maybe at one of our meetups if I got these vinyls if you may be able to lend your expetise?

 

No problem...I'd be happy to give you a hand though I'm not sure how different the design is on the R56. I imagine that if you have Lyle do them he'll send along some pretty good directions.

The only tricky part of my HL ring install was getting the old ones off--I want to make sure I didn't break any of the little plastic tabs. The first one took 10-15 minutes because I was being real careful. I got a technique down and as a result, the second one only took about 2 minutes.

 

I still say a mod party I think may be in order some time...

 

So with the HL you get a whole new ring covered in vinyl? I guess I was under the impression he just sent you the vinyl and you had to put it on the existing piece. Thanks for clearing that up! Yea, a mod party is definitely necessary. I'm looking at getting a CAI and am looking at the M7 or DDM Works b/c they both make the non-functional head scoop functional on the R56.

 

There's several ways you can proceed. I think all the options are itemized on the Vinyl Styles site. You could, in fact, send yours off to get them wrapped (meaning your MINI is out of action for a while). Or, you can do what I did -- ordered the wrapped rings (mine are double-wrapped) and then you get reimbursed for the ring part once you ship your originals back to Lyle (so he can make another customer happy ). That's why it's important not to break any tabs. If you don't send the unwrapped rings back, you'll have an extra set but you'll be charged for them.

 

ok rear bar in place
rear brake rotors on

going out this morning to purchase a caliper tool to compress piston to put caliper back on.
Then fronts then lines should be a couple hours work from here

 

New pad, lines, and rotors installed.
New Swaybar installed (wow what a difference)

The pads and rotors were heated and broke in last night (what a stink)
When lowering the back end after the swaybar install the car was much much more rigid. In corners there is almost no understeer even in snow it keeps you much more planted.

 

Awesome! Any chance of a few pics of your brakes?

You're opening the gap between us in the performance-related mods. I'm going to have a hard time keeping up with you in the twisties. We'll have to station you at the back of the pack to keep you under control.

 

next up the exhaust

ordered that today!!!

 

Ok new summer tires today and trying to get my nephew up here to bolt on the miltek exhaust

 

Headlight Rings on today and having the belt line blacked out next week. As I as getting ready to put the headlight washer covers on though my latch for the bonnet inside the car broke and my bonnet will not open now! No I have to make a trip back to the dealer to get it fixed next weekend. What a pain in the butt. Anyways, I plan to black out the gas cap and then start to engine mods. Probably a CAI and then an ECU piggyback. We will see!

 

If anyone needs help with mods or just an ear to listen let me know I am gathering more and more specific tools related to MINI moding let me know...

 

Just for a change in look I am replacing my MC spoiler with a MCS spoiler

after that MCS side skirts, and aero grill and possilbly a MCS hood should a get one cheap enough.

 

Are you up to assisting with a 4-wheel brake replacement (rotors, pads, and lines)? I lack both the compression tool for the rear and the experience...

 

I am no expert and you can loan the tool from autozone for $40 down then you get it back

But heck yeah just let me know come hell of high water we can figure it out

 

Let me know when you want to do the brakes

 

Just attached the MINI Cooper S spoiler looks pretty good

That 3m stuff is hard to remove even with mineral oil had to resort to wd40

 

Well, you'd better post a pic of your new mod since you're stiffing us next Friday!

Incidentally, rotors are in shipment and I'm still waffling on pads. Decided the SS lines can wait for another day...

 

let me know when and if you need a hand with the brakes

 

Finally the 2 replacement rims are shipping so they should be on by Friday of this week so no more bent rims!!!


and then you will get your pictures Gil...