What did you do to your mini today?
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
I'm glad a make a habit of looking at this thread occasionally, I forgot I intended to do the fuel filter soon!
So I've been a very very busy beaver when it comes to my mini. I just installed the Bilstien/Eibach B12 sport suspension, purchased a oem replacement endlink in the process... I've completely removed the rear seats and seatbelts, fabricated a wood cover for the seats and for the boot area so when all is said and done the whole hatch will have a flush fit. Spring is here (almost), the snow is melting and I've gotten some clay and wax from ECS, and that's pretty much next on my list. Finished the "dip" job I started prior to the superbowl is a priority, as well as installing an amp and sub. And tinting the windows. And sway bars....
Does the list ever end, or will it go on forever?
So I've been a very very busy beaver when it comes to my mini. I just installed the Bilstien/Eibach B12 sport suspension, purchased a oem replacement endlink in the process... I've completely removed the rear seats and seatbelts, fabricated a wood cover for the seats and for the boot area so when all is said and done the whole hatch will have a flush fit. Spring is here (almost), the snow is melting and I've gotten some clay and wax from ECS, and that's pretty much next on my list. Finished the "dip" job I started prior to the superbowl is a priority, as well as installing an amp and sub. And tinting the windows. And sway bars....
Does the list ever end, or will it go on forever?
I see your from the Newport area..I live in southern MA, SMALL WORLD!
Having the following put on or they were just put on. JCW carbon fiber wing, new OEM super charger, 17% pulley, short shifter, power steering pump and fan (recall), JCW carbon fiber emergency brake handle, 380 fuel injectors (trying the Volvo T-5 injectors with adapters)
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix, AZ
Having the following put on or they were just put on. JCW carbon fiber wing, new OEM super charger, 17% pulley, short shifter, power steering pump and fan (recall), JCW carbon fiber emergency brake handle, 380 fuel injectors (trying the Volvo T-5 injectors with adapters)
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
Having the following put on or they were just put on. JCW carbon fiber wing, new OEM super charger, 17% pulley, short shifter, power steering pump and fan (recall), JCW carbon fiber emergency brake handle, 380 fuel injectors (trying the Volvo T-5 injectors with adapters)
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 142
Likes: 6
From: Monticello, Florida
Just replaced my R50 belt and tensioner at 134,000 miles. Both looked great but it was hard to ditch the old belt because it still looked fine. The previous owner assured me and the receipts verify that this appears to have been original belt and tensioner. Only replaced it because were going to MOTD and didn't want any drama.
Al
Al
I have been getting a noise from under the hood and it has kept getting worse as time went on. It sounded like the supercharger was rattling to me. So I had an independent MINI mechanic in California, who came highly recomended, look at it and he advised me that it sounded like I was out of oil in the supercharger. Since I was on vacation I did not have time to have him work on it. I had Jerry at EuroTechs in Tempe do some work on it a couple weeks ago and he advised me that my water pump was going bad also. I knew it needed to be fixed so instead of just fixing what was going bad, I wanted to just start fresh with a new set up. Now I will know exactly what I have and how lmany miles are on it. My R53 has approximately 85,000 on it.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
I have been getting a noise from under the hood and it has kept getting worse as time went on. It sounded like the supercharger was rattling to me. So I had an independent MINI mechanic in California, who came highly recomended, look at it and he advised me that it sounded like I was out of oil in the supercharger. Since I was on vacation I did not have time to have him work on it. I had Jerry at EuroTechs in Tempe do some work on it a couple weeks ago and he advised me that my water pump was going bad also. I knew it needed to be fixed so instead of just fixing what was going bad, I wanted to just start fresh with a new set up. Now I will know exactly what I have and how lmany miles are on it. My R53 has approximately 85,000 on it.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
Went to check the oil and noticed a very large crack in my r53s dip stick. I was able to save it before any major damage happened. Ran inside and ordered the cravenspeed dip stick. I am surprised MINI made such a cheap essential item...
Alliance Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 229
From: York, Pennsylvania
Just finished putting on Koni Sport rear shocks and a 19mm H-sport rear bar.
Took about 4 hours in windy 40's weather done at curbside. No stuck or
broken bolts in the process (Yeah!!).
Yearly inspection is due this month and scheduled for next Monday (in 8 days),
and I'm gonna have them put in the front Konis struts along with the inspection then.
One of my rear end-links is binding at the upper joint, so I'm going to get some
Detroit Tuned or WMW ones (I think they're the same) and swap them in soon when
I change to Summer tires.
Took about 4 hours in windy 40's weather done at curbside. No stuck or
broken bolts in the process (Yeah!!).
Yearly inspection is due this month and scheduled for next Monday (in 8 days),
and I'm gonna have them put in the front Konis struts along with the inspection then.
One of my rear end-links is binding at the upper joint, so I'm going to get some
Detroit Tuned or WMW ones (I think they're the same) and swap them in soon when
I change to Summer tires.
Last edited by cristo; Mar 15, 2015 at 01:19 PM.
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 142
Likes: 6
From: Monticello, Florida
Was able to pick up a unichip very reasonably reprogrammed it for my R50 and actually I'm very pleased with the bump. I've read all the negatives but so far so good NOT a major horsepower increase but it just seems smoother and comes on much stronger over 4000 rpms and pulls stronger to redline. Jack a unichip was great to work with and had great customer service helping me reprogram it. He was pretty realistic about what to expect and was spot on!
Al
Al
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
Finally finished "project blackout" on Barnaby today. Plasti dipped the side scuttles and used night shades on the marker lights in the trim. On top of that I got some goodies in the mail today, Happy MINI Monday!! 
I included before, after, and closeup pics below.
I included before, after, and closeup pics below.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Ulster County NY
mvision7m 06' MCS 6spd
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
O ok, if you dont mind me asking how much did they charge so I have an idea for mine. Also did you go stock or the polyflex ones?
It's really not that hard, just time consuming. Did mine about 2 months ago, took me about 12 hours. Now I probably can do that in half the time
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
What type of bushings did you use? And yeah I was thinking of doing it myself when I install my koni fsds. What method did you use to get the old ones out?
As far as getting old ones out, mine were so bad, that they fell out from the cores and all I had to do is to cut the metal bracing around the bushing and just brute-force it out
That part took 15 minutes each side
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Ulster County NY
mvision7m 06' MCS 6spd
Had an odd skip/sudden hesitation sometimes when engine was under load. Figured it was either an injector, or bad coil pack. Ordered up a new MSD Coil Pack from Way Motor Works and plugged it in today, that did the trick.