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General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
Installed the ultra racing rear brace last night, had to trim a piece of the liner on both sides to get it to go on. The rest was easy, well besides being 6'3" and trying to sit on the folded back seats.
I have 3 braces from them, Im so impressed with their quality. I cant wait for this stupid winter to be over so I can take off my balloon snow tires to really test the braces out.
Had to do it. Was really bothering me. Got to 42 degrees today and the sun was shining at times, so took our Mine outside to wash and dry it. Have driven it a few times when roads were dry the last couple of months, but the dust level has been pretty intense after all the sanding that's been done. In quite a few places you'd think you were driving a dirt road instead of one that's paved.
At least the Roadster looks better now, especially the back where most of the dust piled up. Even popped the wing up and washed those hidden surfaces. I should have taken a "before pic"... couldn't see the boot stripes. The Mini will go under it's cover as soon as the top dries and I'll just have to be patient and wait for another nice day to drive it. One month of Winter down and only 2 to go. Weather forecast says we're headed back to normal Winter mode tomorrow when more snow shows up during the afternoon. The Winter car is getting a heck of a good workout this year, so far.
Thanks CooperSAZ. Great 123k milestone. All happy motoring I hope.
Could use some of that nice Southwest weather you get to enjoy this time of year at this point. It's pouring freezing rain (temperature in the upper 20s), not a lot of snow on the ground (about 7 inches average left) and we have another iffy snow skiing season under way. Has been one of those on and off Winters again. Brutally cold or mild. When temperatures moderate some, we get a load of rain and ice that takes out a lot of the snow. Not great for any type of skiing. Never mind getting out in the Mini!
Life in New England. The gloomiest of days looking out into our woods... and it's actually darker looking out than the picture shows around noon time!
Thanks CooperSAZ. Great 123k milestone. All happy motoring I hope.
Could use some of that nice Southwest weather you get to enjoy this time of year at this point. It's pouring freezing rain (temperature in the upper 20s), not a lot of snow on the ground (about 7 inches average left) and we have another iffy snow skiing season under way. Has been one of those on and off Winters again. Brutally cold or mild. When temperatures moderate some, we get a load of rain and ice that takes out a lot of the snow. Not great for any type of skiing. Never mind getting out in the Mini!
Life in New England. The gloomiest of days looking out into our woods... and it's actually darker looking out than the picture shows around noon time!
Mostly happy motoring! Lol I reflect back to the large job I did back in 2016 and think everything is paying off now. knock on wood, he is running great.
Its weird over here in the southwest. We have had 75-deg weather for most of January except for this past week or so… Mornings are in the low to mid 40s with a 35-36 deg morning here or there… Whispers on the street say we are going to hit 79-80 this weekend and average close to 75-deg next week. We’ll take it.
Yes, New England life may be gloomy, but you produce some of the best snow pics around!
Not today but tomorrow a bunch of us are going to so some runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bears Trail, Orchard Gap, Willis Gap and Squirrel Spur, all roads that a MINI was made for.
Sorry snowed in NE or Sunny Florida, but somebody just has to keep these roads traveled.
Mostly happy motoring! Lol I reflect back to the large job I did back in 2016 and think everything is paying off now. knock on wood, he is running great.
Its weird over here in the southwest. We have had 75-deg weather for most of January except for this past week or so… Mornings are in the low to mid 40s with a 35-36 deg morning here or there… Whispers on the street say we are going to hit 79-80 this weekend and average close to 75-deg next week. We’ll take it.
Yes, New England life may be gloomy, but you produce some of the best snow pics around!
Originally Posted by Whine not Walnuts
Not today but tomorrow a bunch of us are going to so some runs along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Bears Trail, Orchard Gap, Willis Gap and Squirrel Spur, all roads that a MINI was made for.
Sorry snowed in NE or Sunny Florida, but somebody just has to keep these roads traveled.
OK Whine not Walnuts, quit rubbing it in! Our Minis (for the most part) are just resting up for what we hope will be a great Spring through Fall driving season. Days are getting slightly longer now, so it won't be too long before our Minis emerge from their covers.
Have fun out there on the Blue Ridge! One of my favorite areas. Don't forget to take a bunch of pictures!
CooperSAZ... that wasn't supposed to be a "best" of Winter picture, but thanks for the compliment. It was raining cats and dogs while temperatures were below freezing. We like sunny or snowy Winter pictures much better here in New England.
The ice buildup brought down a bunch of trees and large branches, leaving about 20,000 homes without power for a day or two in parts of our state. My driveway is still a skating rink. We get above freezing Saturday and Sunday and should finally lose all that ice cover. Big hopes for a good snow dump up this way to improve our skiing conditions! The sooner the better.
I removed the aux port from my parts R50 (pain in the butt to remove) and installed in my R53.. It pops in without removing a single torx.. I was fascinated with the simplicity of installation.
Ordered laser etched puddle lights because I got tired of replacing the faded out lens.
Also got it washed and cleaned inside and topped it off with a coat of BlackFire. Did this yesterday. Today its raining. Oh well. It's nice to look out the back door and see how well the water beads up on the wax job.
Replaced seized alternator and associated items, belt, idler.....
Completed aero grill install,
Installed "carbor fiber" pieces - Mirror caps, side vents, gas cap and hood scoop,
Installed the retrofit fog light kit and toggle switches.
Ordered laser etched puddle lights because I got tired of replacing the faded out lens.
Also got it washed and cleaned inside and topped it off with a coat of BlackFire. Did this yesterday. Today its raining. Oh well. It's nice to look out the back door and see how well the water beads up on the wax job.
Where'd you find the laser etched lights? I've got one spare set of lenses, but would love a set that doesn't fade.
Where'd you find the laser etched lights? I've got one spare set of lenses, but would love a set that doesn't fade.
I ordered from these guys. I had ordered a regular set with custom logo from them before, so they sent an email to me when they came out with the laser etched glass lens's. I emailed them to make sure they offer the JCW logo and they said they could make any logo you want. I believe they also offer them for the mirror puddle lights for the Clubman too. It's a completely different assembly for the laser lens so you have to order the lights also.
Replaced the turbo on my high mileage R56, (worn out wastegate). All-in-all it wasn’t too bad of a job, even without putting the front end into “service position”. Although I can see how it would have helped.
Finally fixed my positive camber issue on the RHS front. Against all expectation the brittle AF cast steel knuckle bent instead of broke. I put off getting a new one until now since I couldn't believe it wouldn't have failed way more catastrophically.
Old on the bottom, new on the top. The top of the mount further out to the left means negative camber, finally!
Also got a set of Toyo Nanoenergy3 in 205/55-16 since the Contis were well ****ed and starting to go off and have problems. Now for a wheel alignment and continue driving 400km a week to work.
And I got a spare last week following my get-stranded-on-the-side-of-the-highway a while back when I got a 3"nail in a tyre. Had to wait for my Wife to drive out and rescue me with a wheel and tyre!
Installed a P3Cars OBDII multi gauge mostly being used for coolant temp. Went on and hooked up the green wire so it can dim when the headlights are on.
The gloomiest of days looking out into our woods... and it's actually darker looking out than the picture shows around noon time! 
Don't forget to take a bunch of pictures! 
