Washed off the road salt again...

 

installed my blackline side markers that i got from the market place recently.

also huper optik 40s except the windshield. Front, rear, boot and sunroof included

 

Changed out my spark plugs. They looked good!

 

Me, too.

 

Did you install the Hüper Optik yourself? Or did you have a shop do it?

 

Stopped at my local park before heading home and battery died! Fortunately, my son was nearby, so took me to Auto Zone. Unfortunately and $187 later, I have a nice new battery. That's the most expensive battery I've ever bought!

 

It had been cranking slower and slower over the last week or two. :>(

 

Amen! hehe Just went through that a few months back as well! $181 out the door at AZ in AZ. Pricey little btard! But at least they last for 4.5-5 years being in back.

 

The new ones are on the bottom right??

 

Eventful day...

- Replaced the rear hatch struts as the hatch was sagging.

- Changed the oil.

- Replaced the fuel filter at 104k miles. Interesting experience. Fumbled through it initially, but in the end, it is a pretty easy job. Just one pitfall (for me) to watch out for...

Need to post up some pics...

 

I was looking into doing my fuel filter too, does it run better? I got 125k on mine.

 

My filter was pretty black. No sludge or anything other than discoloration.

I think it starts quicker. It is subtle, but I do believe it runs smoother while driving.

 

I just replaced the upper running light on the rear pax tail light. When my son first bought this 09 S had to replace the upper running light drivers tail light. In the first instance the twist out assembly had melted the plastic and I had to remove the plastic to make firm contact with the metal. In the recent instance the plastic had melted but in this case it had shorted the light socket and the bulb was good.

 

Yeah I can only imagine what mine would look like, esp since we can only get 90 octane gas here..DAMN KANSAS.

Do you think you will see a difference in MPG?

 

Do you use a fuel cleaner like Techron every 3k miles?

Good question! I do not know... Lets see what the next brings.

 

You could just buy Chevron gasoline, it already has Techron in it.

 

True.

But depending on where people live, those locations may out of the way. I know it is for me.

But it is also my understanding that the level of Techron in that gas is just enough to say that it contains Techron. (e.g. more Marketing) I am sure it helps...

Whereas, adding bottle of Techron cleaner to 12 gallons is a great shot in the arm for the system.

Watching the ads, your local parts store often sells the Techron cleaner for BOGOF so each bottle comes out to $4-5ea instead of the $8-9 retail price.

Just a thought...

 

Time for new battery?

 

I actually use it every other tank of gas usually, either that or seafoam. I also fill up with Shell VPower I dont know if that really helps though..

I am getting 17-21 in town and 27-30 highway

 

Interesting, ok. Averaging 23.0 mpg in the City. I will report back on Saturday to compare before and after with the same driving habit.

 

Yeah I have a lead foot, mods, and it's winter. We will see how this summer treats me. But let me know how it goes I am interested in seeing if it changes anything. Thanks !!

 

Well, let see...at 91K miles on the clock, I did...

Oil/Filter Change - Royal Purple HPS 5W30
Removed OEM lower rear camber links and installed some Hotchkis links
Rotated the tires

Oh, and removed this from the motor...


The replacement should be here tomorrow.

Since it looked similar in build and met the same Specs as the ATI, I ordered this...

 

Know that site all too well! Hate that piece with a passion! Never understand why MINI created such a weak link on the motor.

Interesting piece from Amazon. There appears to be a concern with the amount of wobble when attached to the motor. Let us know how the install goes and if you experience it as well.

 

Got new tires mounted; Coopr Zeon RS3-S, 215/45/17... These tires feel so much better, both responsive and quite , and so far, on dry surface they seem to stick just right...

Also had a quote from tire shop for my RSB, was not feeling up to the install, original quote = 1hr labor. Then they came back to me and stated 4.5 hours, running close to $400. I declined and installed my Hotchkis bar myself; $28 and in less than 3hrs RSB installed set on middle setting. This competition sway bar rocks. Car is even more fun to drive now.

Lastly while I was under there I installed my Greene Performance Torque link. Took literally 5 min or less to install. Immediately felt the difference. And although there is some vibration, it is not an annoying type, it's more like I can feel the power of the motor throughout my MINI. Shifts are clean both when up or down shifting.

Now to get my alignment done and suspension and drive train mods are done for now 😁

 

Spark plug change.... Carbon fiber handle covers... Zippie sun shade for sun roof...

Still have helix short shifter and ebc Reds to install.