What did you do to your mini today?
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 270
Likes: 23
I give you: TnT
...as in Tess'n Tiny: Tess (short for Vitesse) is my '13R56s, and today, I just picked up Tiny, a 1999 Quicksilver teardrop. So yesterday I installed a hidden trailer hitch - MiniDoMore purchased from Outmotoring. I have to say I am not impressed by the hitch setup: I purchased it even though it is more expensive than the Curt setup, because it is a bit lighter (about 28 lbs vs 31). It is said to be straight bolt-on, but it is not! It is necessary to cut a small piece out of the bumper frame member.While this could be done with a hacksaw, it would take a very long time, so I used a dremel with fibre grinder wheel. But it doesn't stop there: the rear part of the drawbar receiver protrudes too far (at least hitch 1007 on my 2013 R56s), and I had to cut a substantial notch out of the rear part of the receiver AND bend a small part of the car frame! Needless to say this took some time and more tools than expected. Trouble did not stop there. The wiring harness instructions don't match my car, one of the wires is supposed to connect to a 'solide blue' wire, when there is none. And here NAM came to the rescue, another NAMer had the same issue and posted that instead of blue one should connect to yellow w. black, and voila, it worked. Bottom line, I got it to work, but for an expensive hitch this is not quite satisfactory.
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
Last edited by Zephyr1; Apr 12, 2015 at 07:05 PM.
...as in Tess'n Tiny: Tess (short for Vitesse) is my 03R56s, and today, I just picked up Tiny, a 1999 Quicksilver teardrop. So yesterday I installed a hidden trailer hitch - MiniDoMore purchased from Outmotoring. I have to say I am not impressed by the hitch setup: I purchased it even though it is more expensive than the Curt setup, because it is a bit lighter (about 28 lbs vs 31). It is said to be straight bolt-on, but it is not! It is necessary to cut a small piece out of the bumper frame member.While this could be done with a hacksaw, it would take a very long time, so I used a dremel with fibre grinder wheel. But it doesn't stop there: the rear part of the drawbar receiver protrudes too far (at least hitch 1007 on my 2013 R56s), and I had to cut a substantial notch out of the rear part of the receiver AND bend a small part of the car frame! Needless to say this took some time and more tools than expected. Trouble did not stop there. The wiring harness instructions don't match my car, one of the wires is supposed to connect to a 'solide blue' wire, when there is none. And here NAM came to the rescue, another NAMer had the same issue and posted that instead of blue one should connect to yellow w. black, and voila, it worked. Bottom line, I got it to work, but for an expensive hitch this is not quite satisfactory.
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
Washed and installed a roof rack that I picked up for $80. Painted the cover caps with grey plastidip because of how old and weathered they were. Not sure if I like the plastidip color/look. I might buy replacement caps.
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Ga
Just ordered the Bridgestone Driveguard's from this store- 4WO|Click Here for Tires. Was thinking of getting the Conti but I've read good reviews about the Driveguard and looks like some of the guys here are happy this tire.
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
...as in Tess'n Tiny: Tess (short for Vitesse) is my 03R56s, and today, I just picked up Tiny, a 1999 Quicksilver teardrop. So yesterday I installed a hidden trailer hitch - MiniDoMore purchased from Outmotoring. I have to say I am not impressed by the hitch setup: I purchased it even though it is more expensive than the Curt setup, because it is a bit lighter (about 28 lbs vs 31). It is said to be straight bolt-on, but it is not! It is necessary to cut a small piece out of the bumper frame member.While this could be done with a hacksaw, it would take a very long time, so I used a dremel with fibre grinder wheel. But it doesn't stop there: the rear part of the drawbar receiver protrudes too far (at least hitch 1007 on my 2013 R56s), and I had to cut a substantial notch out of the rear part of the receiver AND bend a small part of the car frame! Needless to say this took some time and more tools than expected. Trouble did not stop there. The wiring harness instructions don't match my car, one of the wires is supposed to connect to a 'solide blue' wire, when there is none. And here NAM came to the rescue, another NAMer had the same issue and posted that instead of blue one should connect to yellow w. black, and voila, it worked. Bottom line, I got it to work, but for an expensive hitch this is not quite satisfactory.
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
It works well for towing though, especially since Tiny only weighs about 450 lbs. Now I need to MINIfy Tiny: I'm thinking about painting the wheel fenders in matching Ligthning Blue, maybe the rims in black, and also apply matching racing stripes down the middle.
And almost forgot, finally added my JB+ to make up for trailer weight. ANd boy does it do that, JB+ is phenomenal!!!!
Cheers!
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,249
Likes: 269
From: Dover, PA
Just picked up my 2004 MC40 #24, had a new OEM windshield installed to repair a leaking seal... hit 246K miles on the way home. (Drove this one to work today).
Had to Jump Start my 2007 R52 JCW... this could have been avoided if I had just slapped the charger on it for about 30 minutes, I have three vehicles with Battery Tenders... you would think I would put one on this car as well when is stays snuggled up in the garage during the winter... oh well, lesson learned. No biggie, I just have to reset the clock.
Took my 2004 MC40 JCW #211 out for a few hot laps of the local countryside, after having a rather large screw removed from the left rear tire... it is starting throw codes pointing to a vacuum leak... time for a smoke test and some tinkering... and it needs a new 12V power outlet ordered (thanks ECS). Oh, up in the 150K miles on this one.
Motor on!
Had to Jump Start my 2007 R52 JCW... this could have been avoided if I had just slapped the charger on it for about 30 minutes, I have three vehicles with Battery Tenders... you would think I would put one on this car as well when is stays snuggled up in the garage during the winter... oh well, lesson learned. No biggie, I just have to reset the clock.
Took my 2004 MC40 JCW #211 out for a few hot laps of the local countryside, after having a rather large screw removed from the left rear tire... it is starting throw codes pointing to a vacuum leak... time for a smoke test and some tinkering... and it needs a new 12V power outlet ordered (thanks ECS). Oh, up in the 150K miles on this one.
Motor on!
Welcome James. Love that you drive all three, well the one does sit a little. 
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
6th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
Just picked up my 2004 MC40 #24, had a new OEM windshield installed to repair a leaking seal... hit 246K miles on the way home. (Drove this one to work today).
Had to Jump Start my 2007 R52 JCW... this could have been avoided if I had just slapped the charger on it for about 30 minutes, I have three vehicles with Battery Tenders... you would think I would put one on this car as well when is stays snuggled up in the garage during the winter... oh well, lesson learned. No biggie, I just have to reset the clock.
Took my 2004 MC40 JCW #211 out for a few hot laps of the local countryside, after having a rather large screw removed from the left rear tire... it is starting throw codes pointing to a vacuum leak... time for a smoke test and some tinkering... and it needs a new 12V power outlet ordered (thanks ECS). Oh, up in the 150K miles on this one.
Motor on!
Had to Jump Start my 2007 R52 JCW... this could have been avoided if I had just slapped the charger on it for about 30 minutes, I have three vehicles with Battery Tenders... you would think I would put one on this car as well when is stays snuggled up in the garage during the winter... oh well, lesson learned. No biggie, I just have to reset the clock.
Took my 2004 MC40 JCW #211 out for a few hot laps of the local countryside, after having a rather large screw removed from the left rear tire... it is starting throw codes pointing to a vacuum leak... time for a smoke test and some tinkering... and it needs a new 12V power outlet ordered (thanks ECS). Oh, up in the 150K miles on this one.
Motor on!
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 201
Likes: 1
From: Seattle, Wa.
A very busy day… Took out a JMTC E45R turbo and replaced it with a JCW Turbo. Jerry@ Euro Techs in Mesa Az installed a stage 3 Manic tune on the ECU. In mean time, we also installed an AR design 3" catless DP, and a brand new IPE catback exhaust. Tomorrow, we re-install the ECU… V'room, Pop and Burble!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: Kingwood, TX
JCW Aero Kit Install
Picked up Winston today after the JCW AeroKit install. Thanks to ECS, I got an awesome deal on the kit. Fortune Garage in Houston did the paint and install. It looks like a factory option. also added MINI OEM Halo Driving light kit. Overall, an excellent day!
Welcome again, looks great. 
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,025
Likes: 40
From: Phoenix, AZ
My CEL came on the other day and I plugged my scanner in to find out that it was Code P1476. “Leakage diagnostic pump clamped tube”.
Not too much information on this… there is one thread that said replace the LDP and you are good to go.
Any other thoughts on this from anyone before I drop the $103-107 for the pump? Repair looks straightforward but thought I would pick everyone’s brain before proceeding.
Cheers!
Not too much information on this… there is one thread that said replace the LDP and you are good to go.
Any other thoughts on this from anyone before I drop the $103-107 for the pump? Repair looks straightforward but thought I would pick everyone’s brain before proceeding.
Cheers!
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Long Beach, Ca.
Spark Plugs and VANOS
This week my 2010 R56 spent the night at the dealership. The idle was unstable and I noticed a lack of overall performance. Fuel economy was off a bit but, not significant. The problem ended up being an oil leak causing the plugs to be oil fouled. The fix required replacement of the plugs of course as well as installation of the valve cover gasket kit which included new spark plug tube seals. Additionally, the exhaust VANOS solenoid was also replaced. $725 later, my Hardtop feels like a go-kart again!
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 44
This week my 2010 R56 spent the night at the dealership. The idle was unstable and I noticed a lack of overall performance. Fuel economy was off a bit but, not significant. The problem ended up being an oil leak causing the plugs to be oil fouled. The fix required replacement of the plugs of course as well as installation of the valve cover gasket kit which included new spark plug tube seals. Additionally, the exhaust VANOS solenoid was also replaced. $725 later, my Hardtop feels like a go-kart again!
