Glad you found that. If you have any questions or need anything be sure to let me know.

 

Got any pictures?

 

Went out for a ride yesterday (Sunday, 1st day of Spring), top up as per Wife request, but it was sunny and 34 degrees. Don't make 'em like they use to I guess! But did stop at Dairy Queen for a soft serve ice cream cone.

On way back got fuel and stopped for a quick pre-storm grocery run and then home before dark. Optimized tire pressure needs work. Last time I inflated tires it was 14 degrees F. When I checked them yesterday on way out they were 43 PSI so lowered them to 41 as sticker recommends.

Calculated 38.4 mpg for this cold weather tank? That normal?

4" of new snow covering everything this morning... so got the ride in just in time.

 

Congrats , like the silver top, silver trim on the Clubaman

 

Gah, I know exactly how you feel, I took a 2016 Nissan versa, I thought I was seriously going to die as I didn't feel I could pull out in traffic at all or do anything at all, got back into my f56S and I was so happy with TORQUE!

I am currently getting 28, but I was up to 31 mpg before.

 

Returned home 12:15 am this morning from an epic road trip - the Dragon, Dixie National Champ Tour, and a visit to Spring!

Tales HERE.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Everyone should click on the "HERE" to read about the epic road trip in Charlies post above!

 

^^ Thats an adventure of a lifetime.

 

Now that is a trip! Cool!

 

Replaced my driver side axle. Very easy job.

 

A MINI Odyssey:

On Monday, March 14, I dropped my MINI off at a highly rated body shop, because I swear that concrete pillar wasn't paying attention and ran right into me as I was trying to back into a space. I was scheduled to get my car back on Thursday, but come Thursday, I received a call stating that MINI had sent an incorrect part and I'd have my car by Monday.

I did get my car back on Monday, but when I went to pick it up, my Comfort Access System was completely non-functional. I took it home that night while the shop researched the issue, but on Tuesday morning they still had no idea what was wrong. I ended up taking it to the MINI dealership, who promptly fixed it. Apparently there's a sensor and some wiring in the rear bumper. Go figure. I also got a 2016 MINI Clubman as a loaner (though I'd have preferred a 2 Door S manual), which is freaking huge. The dealership charged the shop, who did agree that it was their issue to resolve.

Guess what? There's something, it sounds like a screw, rolling around near the, you guess it, rear bumper. I've removed everything that I could from back there and still hear it. So, I get to take my car back in on Monday.

The body work does look very good, which I'd hope it would for $1,600. I hope I don't need bodywork in the future, because as friendly as the body shop was, I'm not thrilled with the attention to detail.

 

My clutch master cylinder check valve got clogged up (I suspect), eventually leading to a nice clunking sound from my transmission and within weeks my clutch was slipping while taking off from a start.

So...

I dropped the transmission. Upgraded to a JMTC stage one clutch, lightened single-mass flywheel, replaced all the parts in the bell housing, and heck why not, I ordered an MFactory LSD. Since I have the entire front end apart in the garage, I also put on a CNT catless downpipe. I can't yet speak for the functionality of anything yet, since I'm still waiting for the LSD to come in.

It's been parts expensive and labor intensive. I'll tell you guys what though, I was able to purchase all of those upgrades, all the tools needed for the job (just moved into a house with a 3-car garage, first garage EVER IN MY LIFE), and have installed everything myself for less than my local dealership quoted to JUST INSPECT my clutch... Awesome!!!

Now, just to get that LSD in and get it driving again so I can truly celebrate. Until this, my car has had only very minor upgrades. I'm freakin stoked !!!! Also, I got rid of the wooden wagon wheels, or run-flats as they are commonly called, for some Toyo Proxes 4 Plus 215/45/17s. And now I see Koni is having a sale on the sport shocks I want so badly...

My real point is, I started wrenching and can't stop lol. I love this stuff ! What a great hobby!

 

Wow, agreed. As good of work as they are supposed to do, maybe this was their first MINI? Maybe they are not that familiar with the car so they did not know of all the little things to consider or make sure they were right?

I’d give that pillar a piece of your mind next time you see it!




Wow, busy busy! Congrats on the house and 3-car garage! Yes, this is a fun hobby but can get out of hand sometimes with $$$. Haha Wrenching is fun to do. Some people like puzzles, or painting or collecting coins. A car is a puzzle, you take it apart and then put it back together. As my wife tells her friends, there could be far worse things that I am into…

 

I don't even park on the same side of the building as that ******* now. Jerk.

 

Hey Mister, take care driving when the LSD takes effect.

Just sayin'

Don't ask me how I know.

Cheers,

Charlie

 

LOL!

 

I am a production manager for a body shop and can tell you that unless the shop is familiar with Minis, they wouldn't know to look for details such as that. There aren't that many Minis to begin with so working on them is t common. As such, most shops don't know to look for details such as comfort access, etc. Fortunately I've spent time working for Mini (albeit in the Gen 1 days) and am somewhat familiar with them and know to look for items such as comfort access, etc.

Finding a body shop that does quality work isn't easy and if the shop you chose did do so then the ancillary details, while inconvenient, aren't a huge set back. It sounds like they tried to make things right by you, which a lot of shops would have washed their hands of the issue saying take it up with your insurance company as "they aren't paid to deal with those kinds of issues". Sadly, I've seen that numerous times in the past with other shops.

On a happier note, thankfully your Mini is fixed and all is working as it should.

 

Winter tires/wheels off, summer tires/wheels on.

 

Oh-oh... this is the kind of thing that brings on epic snow!!! Watch out!

 

Ordered one of these last Friday. Hoping to install it this weekend.




Finished my Aero grill install yesterday. I installed the upper grill a couple months ago but was reluctant to tackle the lower grill. Well, I finally got over my apprehension and ordered the lower part. It wasn't too difficult but did take me a few hours. I couldn't imagine doing it without a Dremel!

 

Picked up all the GOLD plasti dip to do my wheels this weekend. Hopefully this comes out decent...

 

looking forward to seeing this, just take your time and do many coats.

 

Want to see that also.

 

There's another brand that I like better than Plasti Dip - Krylon or Duplicolor. I can't remember the brand but it's at Auto Zone. It goes on much smoother and even. It covers better too.

 

Scheduled the wmw 17% pulley, new belt, Ngk bur7equp plugs, and a crank seal installation for Friday in Worcester. Woohoo- can't wait to see what all the fuss is about when going to a reduced pulley size!! Lol