A lot especially these next couple days. Today cleaned my MINI out for spring cleaning. Tomorrow it's getting carpet shampooed and a clean engine bay for $50, not bad. Then washing my MINI all clean. Wednesday I am putting a new fuel filter in and cabin filter. Also installing my Koni/H&R springs with h-sport control arms along with a new stubby antenna since my old one is ripping apart lol.

 

Had a bulb about to go out. Being a second owner, I didn't get to order my MINI with the fog light option. Driver side OEM, passenger side Sylvania SilverStar bulb. Not sure yet if it throws more light (especially since both are rated for the same lumins). It is whiter with less yellow, which I am all for.

 

Got it in my intercooler

Hopefully I'll install it tomorrow.

 

Installed my catch can and boost tap. First mod to the car (if you don't count the aftermarket antenna I installed just before).

 

Well let's see, what did I do today. I joined the family!
Gotta wash, wax, and starting making her purty

2003 Mini Cooper Base "Phoebe"

 

Took the bad wheels off, and mounted and balanced the new one especially at work today. Tire discounters would not mount my tires on my new wheels because my mini didn't Come with 17s. Crock of **** if u ask me. I have a cool boss so he let me knock it out. Hello smooth ride, good bye vibrations!

 

I would have told Tire Discounters they are morons and took the car somewhere else. Since you had the ability to do it at your work though, that's great. I've had Discount Tire mount many different wheels and tires on my cars over the years and never had any issues. Les Schwab has treated me well also.

 

Upside down again!!! Ahhhh! Try flipping the phone the other way next time

 

They are morons, I work for Tuffy right next door. I just didn't want to mess with a 40 series tire.

They told me that the tire I had wasn't strong enough to support my car, I said let me get this right, a civic is correct but not a mini. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think a civic weighs more than my mini. I told him I would check on all data and if I'm right I'll come back. Lol, I have had these tires for 6 Months now, no problem what so ever. 205 40 17

 

I'm a technician so I thought this was funny

 

Looked at it,washed it, drove it. Right front RF tire is totally bald! I knew this was coming, but know scary! Looks like a dragster slick! Left front not much better. time for new tires. Also squeeky brakes are a warning signs for new pads! don't want RF's. How much $$ for decent all seasons or something maybe moving to South Carolina soon this summer. I want quiter ride to hear the engine on the '05 MCS. What say you.

 

Once in the new place, planning on the pully and fun exhaust system. All else is good to go I wont drive there from here! I fear the tires and brake pads are going to set me back about a grand.

 

Washed it, and decided to stop spending money trying to make the Mini something that it's not. I'm not knocking it, I love it, but I want a Lotus Elise. So probably what I'll end up doing once I get my Elise it changing the suspension back to stock plus some basic lowering springs and then use it as my semi-comfortable daily driver. So the savings fund is starting for the Elise in 3....2....1.....

 

Over the weekend, I replaced the tranny mount bushings with the power flex mounts, and I also replaced my leaky upper motor mount with a new one from Vibra-technics. That sucker was a tight fit for sure.

I also replaced the tranny fluid, and did my engine oil as well, which was a surprise because for the FIRST time ever, I put on the oil canister with the filter on the first try.

On the downside, because I replaced the tranny mount bushing, I had to remove my DDMworks intake, and discovered the welds which hold the pipe in place of the airbox came loose. So as a quick fix, I decided to use some high heat JB weld, which appears to work, although it cracked a little when I put the hose on the pipe. So what I'm going to have to do is find someone who can fully weld the pipe to the box itself.

I noticed there's definitely more vibrations in the cabin, but I don't mind it. I understand with the Vibratechnics mount, it will settle into place as more miles are put on, so the vibrations will likely get less as time goes on.

 

Lotus?? and you think MINI's are money grabbers? Have fun with that.

 

That's going to be pretty boss, having an Elise on top of your MINI. Do let us know how that turns out, even if it's not exactly a MINI.

 

I know the Lotus Elise/Exige MUCH better than I know the MINI, I babysat one before for 6 months while a very good friend was on deployment. He and I have taken that car down to nothing and built it back. It's no different than working on any MR. The only way they are expensive is if you pay dealer prices, kinda like with the MINI.

I don't think the MINI is a money grabber at all. As far as cars I've owned, I would leave that title to my old Ferrari 308 (don't be fooled by the Ferrari name, they can be had in pretty good shape under $35k all day long), and even that could be worked on by your average enthusiast.

I know what I'm getting into, and that's why I'm not getting one right now, but instead waiting until I can pay cash for it.

 

Couple days ago took GF's Chevy Spark (a very imprecise car!) to the dealer for warranty work and not free (!!!!!) oil change. Brought GF up in the Dread Pirate to pick up and all of the Chevy service peeps came out and adored him, especially the exhaust rumble!

 

^^^ I'm pretty close to springing for the non-s VIP catback exhaust. Think I'll be happy?

 

On Saturday installed the following:
1. Full "Red Stuff" brake kit from Way Motors. 4 stock size WMW rotors, Red Stuff EBC pads, new sensors, new bolts, stainless lines, and Amsoil 600 brake fluid.
2. Replaced coolant expansion tank with polished aluminum from Way Motors to avoid potential OEM leak problem.
3. Replaced the Madness Lower frame brace with the TSW (Texas Speed Werks) X-Brace from Way Motors.

Results: Brakes work great as expected. (Bedded in with about 8 panic stops)
TSW brace is a significant improvement over the Madness brace. The convertible is now even more stable over rough pavement and RR tracks, and more stable in the curves and generally at higher speeds. (Not saying how high). There is definitely less cowl shake. There wasn't much before, because of the braces I had, (they made a big difference vs. stock) but noticeably less now. TSW brace is very much worth the money. Koni FSD shocks, tower plates and brace, plus poly bushings.

Not trying to make the R52 something it's not. Just trying to make the Mini do all it is reputed to do, except much better. And, I have definitely accomplished that. It is smooth, strong performance (200 WHP) , great handling, easy to drive, reliable, comfortable on the highway. Just the right balance between handling and comfort. FUN CAR.

 

Received a small package in the mail...

 

Nice! You're making me want to route my summer trip in 2015 to be near MITM.

 

Do it!!!

I still dont even know what town is going to be the venue, but it is always worth the trip!

 

Interestingly enough, if there was any Ferrari I had thought about considering, it would've been a 308. Are they that much of a money pit? But as you say, they aren't any more difficult to work on than other cars, but I suppose finding parts for them is another matter, correct?

 

Haha, this is an entirely different discussion, but if you are really interested in buying one someday PM me and we can talk about some things.

The biggest thing is that 308's are the current "poor man's Ferrari" even though that is changing a bit as they have gained a bit of value over the last few years, now I would say the Mondial T is the new budget king. But with it being a "budget Ferrari" you occasionally get "budget" owners that just want the experience of owning a Ferrari but can't really afford to treat it correctly. You can do 100% of the maintenance yourself, but that can hurt the value. How much of a money pit is all depends on three things, the condition of the car when you buy it, how much you drive it, and how much of a stickler you are for pushing the boundaries of "regular" servicing.

There's much more to it, but that's the basics. They are great, fun cars, and a great way to enter into the Ferrari sports car world. You don't have to go broke to keep it running well as long as you don't drive it 10,000+ miles a year.