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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.
It has been over a few days, Christmas break and all... high speed polished the car - especially the hood which I thought would need a respray - nope. Removed the old faded Mini wings and replaced them with brand new trim pieces front and back, ordered a new stereo and will be installing it as soon as it arrives, ordered the GP surround and scoop decals to replace the old faded ones, stripped out the old bubbled window tint and replaced it with lighter, ceramic tint all around, changed the oil with Euro formula Mobil 1, shampooed the seats, and I am having a nervous breakdown because the steamer I used to remove the old window film made the already falling headliner fall nearly completely! That is a job I am leaving to a professional, but it will drive me bonkers until he can get it in next week. The good news is that I can run the microphone for the new stereo properly under the headliner.
Replaced the stinger antenna with a stubby. Also removed the cup holder. Of course saving all the original parts.
Brought her in for an oil change to my local guy. He made a point of noting that while the oil was changed somewhat recently and the counter reset, the filter looks as though it was NOT changed with the oil. I also had the transmission fluid changed out (that BMW fluid is expensive!)
He also said that I would likely be needing new front brakes in sometime soon after the next oil change. They are almost down to the sensor and he said after that there is still some more wiggle room. But I am thinking sooner than later, maybe next month or so I will have them done.
I have been looking around (not thoroughly in the forum yet) on mini parts sites for brake replacements... does anyone recommend anything like SP Performance brakes or EBC brakes, etc? Looking to be safe, good brakes, but not breaking the bank at the same time.
Brought her in for an oil change to my local guy. He made a point of noting that while the oil was changed somewhat recently and the counter reset, the filter looks as though it was NOT changed with the oil. I also had the transmission fluid changed out (that BMW fluid is expensive!)
He also said that I would likely be needing new front brakes in sometime soon after the next oil change. They are almost down to the sensor and he said after that there is still some more wiggle room. But I am thinking sooner than later, maybe next month or so I will have them done.
I have been looking around (not thoroughly in the forum yet) on mini parts sites for brake replacements... does anyone recommend anything like SP Performance brakes or EBC brakes, etc? Looking to be safe, good brakes, but not breaking the bank at the same time.
I should note that he said the oil looked pretty good, no metal, no flakes and the transmission fluid (87000+ miles) was dark but still visibly red tinted. So other than the brakes no leaks reported and seems like regular wear and tear.
So so far I have replaced the tires with Yoko Advans, oil, transmission fluid. Brakes next month likely because I feel odd about waiting. Maybe sooner.
EBC Red brake pads and oem rotors are a very good combination. I wasn't prepared to change the rotors on my last brake job, and didn't want to wait for rotors to come or to drive to the dealer, so I got some Autozone Duralast rotors all around and they have performed very well. I would paint the top hats on the rotors as they will rust.
The EBC Red brake pads perform better than stock and the aren't dusty like oem brake pads.
I ordered my strut plates last night. A long with coil , wires an plugs . Then I ordered a new chrome cover for my rear trunk lid. Chrome was bubbling up.
My new seat covers came in a few days ago. Will install next weekend. Will share pics.
Remember owing a mini is addictive, Lol.
The adventure down the slippery slope begins with these modest upgrades:
OEM All Weather front and trunk floor mats
OEM Armrest Snap-In iPhone Adapter
OEM Stubby Antenna replaces the “stinger”
OEM Wing Black Jack License Plate Frames
Finished up the front set of JCW-type calipers I purchased here, preparing for new brake setup early 2019; I'm not a fan of the bright red so I went with dk.grey metallic to match the wheels.
Dk. Grey with silver heat resistant decals
Here is the lucky recipient of those calipers- cannot install them yet... too cold out there, also need to wait on four new disks to fit these JWC-type brake upgrades.
I had two things to do today. I replaced all four ignition coils on my 2011 MCS. It would occasionally stutter when accelerating HARD in 2nd and/or 3rd gear going from 3k to 5k RPM, but not any more!! I'll keep a close eye on it because the problem was intermittent, but I'd be surprised if that happened again.
The second thing was to replace the top break light bulb on the right rear. It took me a while to figure out which bulb was causing the "exterior light out" warning. The bottom light was working, which made it look like the break lights were working. Anyway, finally get the offending bulb out, and it looked fine to me. I put the new bulb in anyway, and it still doesn't work. I suspect I need a whole new tail light. At least I'm making progress in diagnosing. Has anyone else experienced that?
Happy New Year MiniFam!!
I went out to the garage to do a little tinkering on the R52 JCW car, decided it was too cold out there, didn't want to wait for the furnace to warm up the place, so I gave the girl a pat on the roof and went back into the house.....time for a nap
Today's project was replacing the stock stereo. Wanted bluetooth audio and hands free phone. Was not interested in a CD player so I went with a media player.
Tomorrow or Friday I'll be replacing the rear bumper skin - if anyone has suggestions, tips or tricks I am all ears.
Today's project was replacing the stock stereo. Wanted bluetooth audio and hands free phone. Was not interested in a CD player so I went with a media player.
Tomorrow or Friday I'll be replacing the rear bumper skin - if anyone has suggestions, tips or tricks I am all ears.
What brand radio? An you do still have steering wheel control?
What brand radio? An you do still have steering wheel control?
It is a Pioneer and yes, I still have steering controls. It is kind of a cop out, but after installing stereos over the years I decided to go with Crutchfield and their pre-wiring service. For $25 everything arrived prewired and I literally plugged it in and that was that. With only front speakers in the GP I wasn't going all out and went with the Pioneer MVH-S512BS. So far it sounds fine and has enough bass boost to give reasonably good depth.
I am having the headliner redone tomorrow and I am going to have them run the phone mic in the proper location for me.
It is a Pioneer and yes, I still have steering controls. It is kind of a cop out, but after installing stereos over the years I decided to go with Crutchfield and their pre-wiring service. For $25 everything arrived prewired and I literally plugged it in and that was that. With only front speakers in the GP I wasn't going all out and went with the Pioneer MVH-S512BS. So far it sounds fine and has enough bass boost to give reasonably good depth.
I am having the headliner redone tomorrow and I am going to have them run the phone mic in the proper location for me.
Normally at this time of year, Egan is tucked away in the garage waiting to come out and play when the weather is nice.
For better or worse though, the clutch on my Fiancee's Fiat 500 was kaput, and while that is being mended by one of the local auto service shops, she's borrowing my Jeep Cherokee, and as a result, I have to take Egan out for the week. Oh darn...
Like John Wick hammering out the slab in his basement to get to his weapons, and other gear, I broke out my Winter tires to reinstall. Actually glad I kept those rather than selling them.
2 hours, start to finish, with no helping hands around.
I thought for sure this was one of those projects that are only supposed to take a little bit and then somehow end up taking all day.
This this is giving me a little bit better feeling about getting one.
Okay, my project for today was running the mic correctly. Under the headliner, behind the a-pillar, under the dash and zip-tied in place. I also replaced the old down tubes with new ones. I also installed a set of m7 strut tower plates but forgot to take pics. They went in without a hitch and no sign of mushrooming. Yeah!
Originally Posted by shrevemini
Can you post pic of you mic location?
Here is the mic location now:
The old downtubes... finally out of the car:
THIS... seriously, this is the biggest PITA known to man. It put up an epic fight. Tried all the tricks and no go. The whole job took 2 hours and this thing took an hour and 45 minutes of that. At least that's how it felt.
Trying to get the centrer console out. No way to remove the down tubes with it in place.
Finished. Mic cord run and plugged back into the head unit, new down tubes in place and everything buttoned up nice and tight.
Finished up the front set of JCW-type calipers I purchased here, preparing for new brake setup early 2019; I'm not a fan of the bright red so I went with dk.grey metallic to match the wheels.
Dk. Grey with silver heat resistant decals
Here is the lucky recipient of those calipers- cannot install them yet... too cold out there, also need to wait on four new disks to fit these JWC-type brake upgrades.
Like that color. A lot. And the calipers should look really good behind those wheels. I'd love to do something like that, but one of the downsides to the GP is I want to keep it close to stock, so red calipers for me
