looks awesome...can't wait to see it in person.

 

Wiper delete

 

finally got to my project i've been wanting to do for a while.

i'm a big tech geek and in turn always want a way to be able to power such gadgets (remote locations, camping, disaster, what-if events). i have a Fenix ReadySet solar charging kit that has a panel and a nice large battery and thought my rear panel area would be a great spot for the panel.




so i just busted out the good ole dremel and drilled 8 spots to mount. went super cheap and easy w/zip ties to tied down the panel. its pretty light but solid. used a second set of holes for a 5th zip tie to manage cables undernearth. zip, zip and click.






installed.

 

There are much better looking solar panels out there but, did you just do this to a Coupe? I'm sorry it does not look good at all IMHO.

 

I cleaned my Alta filter and re-oiled (started Sunday afternoon, finished earlier today, they fail to mention it takes about 14hrs for that darn thing to dry after rinsing it... next time I'll look into how much a new filter costs from Alta, might be a better option).

 

Autocrossed it, changed tires 3 times, drove to Cleveland and picked up ANOTHER R53 that daughter-unit purchased... long weekend!

 

Did a preliminary install and "program" of my new ScanGuageII.

Coolant Temp, Battery Voltage, Intake Temp, and Horsepower (HP is temporary until I figure out something else... boost?).



Using my $1 dash sticky pad to hold it in place. Seems to work great.

 

I did the responsible Mini owner thing. I washed a dirty Mini in the rain, to make it cleaner than it was before the rain.

 

I thought about doing the same but it's raining here five days in a row so ill wait so I can wax:-).

 

I'm getting mine serviced at my local MINI dealer - $79 and they wash it when they're done.

 

$79.00... Thats one expensive car wash!

 

Actually it only came to $73.35 for an oil and filter change - top off fluids - give it an inspection and wash the outside and vacuum the inside. I called an independant shop that works on MINI's and was told it would be $119 just for an oil and filter change - no wash. I'm very happy with my local MINI dealer!

 

My Mini dealer wanted to charge me $160 for an oil change. Outside of warranty I will never go there

 

I did that yesterday, because I had some driving around to do today and it wasn't supposed to rain. Then they changed the forecast last night to rain all day. They got that one right.

 

My MINI dealer does the same. For $20 more than my material cost, I get no scraped knuckles and no lugging a gallon of used oil to the disposal depot... and a clean car.

Sure, it's a marketing tool to either get me to buy more services or a new car, but it works for me.

BTW: My 'good relationship' with the dealer may have played a part in getting an out-of-warranty 'free' walnut shell treatment last week when the HPFP failed. MINI USA payed for the pump, a ruined injector, and a new catalytic converter under mystery warranty. The walnut shell intake cleaning was done as a 'good will' service, payed for my MINI USA as well, at the dealership's urging.

I did get stuck with the towing charge.

 

I got under my mini for the first time ever and began the process of replacing the clutch ...

 

It's not much more money to have my dealer change my oil and filter for me than me doing it myself. They also top off the other fluids - check everything over - and do a real nice car wash both inside and out. And it's a five minute drive from my house and I don't even have to hit the freeway. I would be doing it myself if they charged me $160.

 

Ya got me beat there. 55 minutes to get to my Baja Dallas dealer.

 

Got you both beat... We have 2 dealers here in CO, one is only about 30 miles, the other is a bit over 50 from my house. Shomp, the close one takes at least an hour with light traffic, and there is never light traffic... Most times it takes 2+ hours to get there, sometimes more. MINI of Loveland, usually takes that same 2 hours, due to the wonderful people of this state who are incompetent at actually doing the 75mph speed limit.
Luckily the only thing I ever go to the dealer for is stuff I need in a pinch, or cant get anywhere else.

 

I dropped Bergii off at Vista today for a leaking boot.

 

Cleaned MINItron and now he's sparkling clean inside!

 

Made a magnet sticker out of a MINI theme mouse pad.

 

I ripped out the entire factory HK stereo system an replaced it with all Alpine! Dude(ettes)...not an easy task to undertake. Drilling the holes in the door harness plugs was a life saver though. Worth the work though and sounds pretty good too. Now for that 12" sub...hmmmm.

 

That came out nice

 

I installed the http://www.waymotorworks.com/3rd-bra...ulsar-kit.html which took longer than I expected, but it works! I set it for the long pulse, since I'll be driving up Rte. 87 in NY state in a few weeks, where an unexpected traffic jam seems to lurk around every curve.

I also washed the car for the third time in less than two weeks. Hey, it's not supposed to rain for the next couple days!