You wrapped your steering wheel by hand, is that right? If so I'm impressed, I have found the OEM steering wheel found wanting. I like the Mini brand leather steering wheels but would probably want them a little thicker.

Lets see...


MC40 #24 installed a new right front lower door speaker, replaced the two type 74 bulbs in the climate control console, new shifter boot...and found I have a leak in the upper seal of the A-pillar. Need to find a replacement.


MC40 #211 installed a new left front lower door speaker


A good day all in all.


Motor on!


Total time including getting and putting away my tools... 1 hour 20 minutes

correct. i bought a used steering wheel off ebay, removed the factory leather cover, added a new layer of thin foam (the self adhesive sheets you can buy from craft stores) and after a lot of stretching and molding, stitched on the new cover i ordered from Redline Goods. i used contact cement on any area with sharp curves in order to keep the leather from bunching up and did a lot of test fitting, trial stitching and wet forming before finally glueing and stitching it up, since the contact cement doesn't allow for repositioning.

oh yeah, i also cut grooves in the steering wheel foam and original rubber to allow the 4 leather seems to lay flat, just like they do with the OEM covers.

Put a water pump in it after just buying it with 53,000 miles. And I only put 150 miles on it. It is a fun car though.

Replaced the idler (adjusting) pulley on him.

Nice screeching sound coming from the pulley/belt area. Freaked out! After the screeching subsided (about a week; almost bearing like), it worked its way into a nice and subtle whistling sound.

Turns out the idler pulley has died. Replaced that along with adding a new JCW drive belt.

Back to motoring...

New set up for my I Phone plus, early Xmas gift from the wifey. New mount for when running Dash Command:

Installed new battery. The original lasted over 4 years. Test drove and through a P115D code. Got home and found the inlet the tube on intercooler had slipped off. Put back on and test drove, again. Everything working fine.

Got my recently purchased 2004 JCW registered. Took it out for a drive, been smiling ever since.

Now you're going to have to show pictures!

And come sign up with us over on http://nemini.org

Today I replaced all my brakes. New pads and rotors.

I was told my brakes were due soon and I should get them done. It could wait until the next oil change......

So I decided brakes were doable. I had tools. So into it I checked.

There is a guy on youtube " mod mini" who has great videos of things. Brake jobs clutches, rebuilding engines. So I watched his brake job video and made a list.

I needed a funky brake tool for the rear. I needed an impact driver. I needed a 7mm allen driver.

I got the rotors and pads at Rock Auto.

Did it.

First is that my brakes were only 1/3 gone if that, but I was committed. It took a few hours, but I was being careful. The R53 is my DD.

So got HP brakes, drilled and slotted rotors.

A wee bit pissed that the brakes were probably still a good for a couple years, but the new ones look cool.

Check out mod mini and fear not!

Washed it! After a month and a half!

Not exactly today (but rather last three days), installed new polyurethane control arm bushings in the front (had to drop front subframe, took some time). While at it, also installed 27mm H&R front sway bar. Then switched to the back and installed 19mm Alta rear sway bar. And since all was apart, replaced all shocks with Megan Racing ones (fronts with adjustable Hotchkis camber plates)

Got my bonnet stripes put on and my MINI got a wash.

Looks good. I like the wheels.

Xmas present from the old lady. 4 big boxes unwrapped.

I already opened mine, easily spent $2000 grand so far!

LOL. I swear I was done modding after my previous MINI.

Thanks! I'm a big fan of them too

They look great, TrueEddie.

I got my puddle lights put in and shorty antenna installed. Also took a picture of my son and I's MINIs

I love the MINI and the mini cars!

Btw, was it easy to install the puddle lights? Thanks.

Thanks! Yeah the puddle lights are real easy to install, took less then ten minutes.

Thanks. Now, it's time to order online.