What did you do to your mini today?
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 108
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
Weekend catch-up....
Went to LA with MTTS Saturday.
Came back home Sunday. Got to run Sunset Blvd. all the way from the PCH to West Hollywierd with a trio of vintage red Alfa Romeos on the way back.
I also cruised Rodeo Drive, but didn't see Julia Roberts....
Installed my new MTTS 2012 badge on the grille:
Yeah, the car's dirty.
I installed it and took the pic at 11:30PM, after relaxing a bit at home after the drive from LA. 
C ya,
Dutch
Went to LA with MTTS Saturday.
Came back home Sunday. Got to run Sunset Blvd. all the way from the PCH to West Hollywierd with a trio of vintage red Alfa Romeos on the way back.
I also cruised Rodeo Drive, but didn't see Julia Roberts....
Installed my new MTTS 2012 badge on the grille:
Yeah, the car's dirty.
I installed it and took the pic at 11:30PM, after relaxing a bit at home after the drive from LA. C ya,
Dutch
I just finished replacing the JCW Upper Strut Bar with a new NM Engineering Billet Aluminum Tie Bar. I got the Tie Bar direct from NM without any finish on the aluminum bar. I wrapped the bar with 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fiber vinyl. Here is the result.
I also put a couple stripes on the front fender to see how it would look.
I also put a couple stripes on the front fender to see how it would look.
Last edited by MinMin2010; Jul 17, 2012 at 01:24 PM.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 6
From: North Denver Colorado
I just finished replacing the JCW Upper Strut Bar with a new NM Engineering Billet Aluminum Tir Bar. I got the Tie Bar direct from NM without any finish on the aluminum bar. I wrapped the bar with 3M Di-Noc Carbon Fiber vinyl. Here is the result.
I also put a couple stripes on the front fender to see how it would look.
I also put a couple stripes on the front fender to see how it would look.
In a word.....HOT !
Excellent work !!!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
There are 4 plastic expansion rivets that need to be popped out along the top of the grill. For me, the hardest part was getting to the lower clips that hold the grill on. Supposedly the lower trim comes off and gives better access to the bottom clips that hold the grill on but the lower trim piece but in my case it didn't. I had to come at the clips from above by flexing the grill a bit from the top and reaching my hand down to release them being careful not to mash into the radiator. Here is a link to a YouTube vid that shows the removal process.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZeQwJQccKg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZeQwJQccKg
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Yesterday - but had my winter wheels put on temporarily since I’ve sold my ASA’s. Now to decide on my new set. 
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Yesterday - but had my winter wheels put on temporarily since I’ve sold my ASA’s. Now to decide on my new set.
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
+1 LOVE my black Enkei's!!!
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Yesterday - but had my winter wheels put on temporarily since I’ve sold my ASA’s. Now to decide on my new set.
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
It’s coming down to the Enkei Imola’s vs Motegi MR125’s. I like the weight loss with the Motegi’s, but like the look of the Imola’s better.
Yes, another MINI with black wheels on the way. If it works, it works.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
And yeah, the ability to hide a little brake dust is a nice bonus to having black wheels. Plus, I just really like the contrast with the PW.
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 6
From: Jack Coffee Hays County, Republic of Texas
I drove it into the 'big city' to get some office supplies (after all, it's a Clubman).
I took the twisty back roads up and back (after all... it's a MINI Cooper S).
I took the twisty back roads up and back (after all... it's a MINI Cooper S).
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Just put the Motegi MR125’s on my Cooper. They look great! I went with 16" up from the stock 15" and am very happy.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Youre gonna love black wheels!!they give the Mini a more aggressive look, too! And Im pretty sure 5% mor HP
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
Since I’m still on the fence, would you mind posting a couple pics? I’d be going with 17’s but I’ve not been able to find anyone with the MR 125’s in black...
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Here are a couple pictures. Sorry, but it rained today so there is a little dirt and these are taken inside the garage. Haven't yet decided about painting the callipers.
It took almost ten years but I got my first door ding today. It was actually more of a scuff but I haven't tried to get it off yet. I don't really mind. I have no pictures. I'll probably just leave it until I pay to get the rear bumper and hatch fixed and then have them deal with it then.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Long Island, NY
I’m definitely going to be painting my calipers. Black will be the color.
I'm picking up a slightly used set of MR125s for autocrossing. Price to weight ratio is hard to beat. Also the MR125s in 17 are one of the few 7.5 rims. Means you can to 235s (gasp even 245s with spacers) without issue.
I agree with you about the Challenge wheels as they look good but unless we can do anything about the brake dust they are hard to keep clean. You have to basically clean them everyday for them to look good then all those spokes take forever to clean IMO.