Absolutely! For a one-off, cost prohibitive!

 

What's the diameter of the cap on the plug?

There's some scraping (and some questionable touch up paint) around the edge of the plate holes... Maybe these will cover those up too.

 

I'm sure Beachnmini will agree that the head of the plug will well cover all the edge of the hole imperfections. I used an X-acto to assure the edge was smooth.

 

Cool.

How far out do they extend though? I'm surprised there aren't dimensions listed on the website.

 

I did briefly try out sport mode, and did notice the steering felt sharper, as well as throttle response, and shifts were about twice as quick as before. I know there are some people that programmed their R56's to engage sport mode when the car starts up since they love it so much. If I had to drive a R56 (stick or auto), I would probably use sport mode 90-100% of the time anyway.

My short drive was mostly to see the main differences between the two, but I did like sport mode when I used it. Call it the "fun" button.

The steering in my R53 currently doesn't felt as tight, but I think much of that has to do with this clicking sound when I turn the steering wheel back and forth. I suspect it's a bearing issue in the column itself that might need to be oiled up.

 

Sport mode is fun for non-freeway cruising drives as it keeps the tranny out of 6th gear.

Tell your brother to get a JB+ if he has an extra $300 burning a hole in his pocket. That turns the sport button into "beast mode" :D

 

I added my first "bling"

 

I added an ATI Crankshaft Pulley after my original began slipping.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevcyn/10277813933/

 

Damn, reading about that makes me wish it was available for the Tritec engines. Unfortunately, they are pretty basic in their design. SOHC, no VVT, no direct injection, iron block, but it does have that supercharger, and they appear to be quite bullet-proof.

In the past, I've thought about getting a custom tune for my MINI, but between my Stratmosphere exhaust, and DDM instake right now (I plan on a different pulley down the roadas well), my MINI is quick enough for what I do with it. Besides, isn't it better to drive a slower car fast, versus vice versa?

As a matter of fact, I saw for the first time last week a Ferrari 458 Italia in the wild. Now I'm a big fan of Ferrari, and wouldn't mind one day owning one, but when I see a car like the 458, I think to myself, "I still wouldn't trade my MINI for one." I would much rather get a 246 Dino, or a 308 even.

Hell, a couple months ago, I drove a 1982 Mazda RX-7, and while it was certainly not the torquest engine, nor the most powerful, the car itself was such a joy to drive. I did not even care what sort of power ouput it had, because that's not why I would drive it.

One day, I would love to own a classic MINI, possibly in RHD even, and with that I would have my perfect 1 1/2 car garage.

 

I agree it is way more fun to use 80%+ of available power most of the time and still be reasonably within the law. ;-)

There is a classic mini in my parking garage and I followed him home one night and he was flinging around turns just as good as I was. RHD and everything. Makes my '12 hardtop look huge!

 

GraceinAction,

I love it.

Gotta have one.
Found it:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_mi...arch-alias=aps

 

This week's todo....

 

Got the MVI done today now off to Texas and Florida ill sure I'll be missing my car while away :(

 

The low tire light popped on during my commute to work this morning. My runflats are on their last legs, so I won't bother with getting the leak fixed. I find it funny that it was just this morning that I pulled my snow tires/wheels out of the basement and staged them in the garage for the winter swap over tonight after work. My MINI must be telling me that it's ready for its winter shoes...

 

Did your air temperature drop drastically during the trip or overnight? I've had that happen in Arizona and all that it needed was to top off the air - the change in temperature threw the system off just enough to set the light.

C ya,
Dutch

 

You can switch to manual shift and it will stay in 6th

 

No - we've been hovering at around the freezing point for a week now. One of the tires (LF) has been losing air fairly consistently since June. Every time that light has come on, I've checked the pressure and only the LF tire has needed air. This is going to be the last season for the runflats...I'll be going with some new non-runflat tires come spring.

These are the 2nd set of tires my car has gone through in 56k miles...keep in mind that I typically run winter tires from October through April. FWIW - I'm still on my original set of studded winter tires.

 

Washed and waxed nigel after i got home from work, looks sooo nice! Thanks Griots!

 

I got my injectors cleaned today. It appears I've been using crappy gas..I'm hunting for a Mobil close to me now

 

Or go over 70 and it will click to 6th and stay till you go under 2000rpm.

 

Recently replaced the following:

- Radiator fan assembly
- Crankshaft position sensor 0-ring
- Belt Tensioner
- New belt (JCW)
- A/C clutch coil

2 days later the exhaust manifold snapped into two pieces. Milltek header shipped and will be ready for install this weekend. Should be a nice reward after all the work put in. Better sound and more power!

 

Took it to school! Excuse the bad lighting :p

I'm thinking of getting spacers, although probably not needed; just curious on the look.

 

Again, drove conservatively to work and back since I'm "essential"... Still gotta work but not getting paid.

Air Traffic Controller.... Will vector for food.

 

12mm front/15mm rear. LOVE it. Should have gone 15mm front.

 

Didn't know that, but I rarely use manual mode. Keeping this for reference