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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.
I just popped into the Fontana Dam campground. The sites are all prepped. Many years ago I camped there for MOTD. It was cost effective, close by and clean. Many MINIs took over it too! Now, the not great, I hate camping in the rain and it always rains at MOTD! Lol. Fontana Village Resort and Marina used to take care of reservations there, guessing the new people will too.
I just popped into the Fontana Dam campground. The sites are all prepped. Many years ago I camped there for MOTD. It was cost effective, close by and clean. Many MINIs took over it too! Now, the not great, I hate camping in the rain and it always rains at MOTD! Lol. Fontana Village Resort and Marina used to take care of reservations there, guessing the new people will too.
Ugh, I HATE camping in the rain. That time of year is too unpredictable in the weather, might have to find a small motel that could fit my needs.
It was Dyno day.
Got a solid tune after installing the new Wagner intercooler, FTP piping, 3 inch exhaust (resonator delete) 257hp (229 at the wheels) and timing adjusted for 93 octane. I can honestly say the remote tune was good and got me 90% of the way there. Getting on a Dyno will get you that last 10%. Dyno numbers. First three are from a remote tune.
F56. I cut the grill out of my aggressive plastic scoop with a Dremel. I plastidipedI the inside of the hood directly behind the scoop. I'm going to peel that off and just sticker bomb in there. I gotta get some black grill wire to fill the space.
The whole reason I did this: Using OBD Fusion and my Veepeak obd Bluetooth adapter, my intake temp runs 15-20 degrees cooler with the scoop open. Maybe fabricating this scoop to include air guides, instead of just an empty cavity with two flat holes in the hood might be worth it. Anyone else watching air intake temps?
I've wrote some Shortcuts that manage some basics with BMW/Mini connected. Things that are working: Lock, Unlock and Vent (Climate control) and obviously login/auth. Why? My GP3 has Mini Connected but no Comfort Access. Using these, as I walk to my car, I can "Hey Siri unlock my GP" or even "Hey Siri Vent my GP" (which vents all the hot air out). Here they are:
You have to have Mini Connected, a recent iOS device and iCloud Drive. Sorry Android folk The easiest way to get running is to Install Setup and run it once. It should prompt you for all the necessary info that's needed. It will save a json file to your iCloud Drive called "bmw_connected.json". If you ever need to re-configure the Setup shortcut, open it up, tap the "..." menu at the top and tap "Customize Shortcut..." Then Install the rest of the Shortcuts and have at it. Please note, "Status" is not meant to be ran by itself. I'm sure there are a metric crap-tonne of things that can be improved, but this is where I'm currently at. Once they're installed: "Hey Siri, unlock my GP"
Also, I can't do a whole lot of trouble-shooting, particularly for some basic things like installing the shortcuts. Please google if you don't know how to use them
Made an appointment for a paint job on my roof. Someone had painted it before I purchased. It originally had a black roof. They painted it white. Well now the clear coat is failing. So it off to the paint shop.
Went on my first MINI run with some new friends. Just have to say that the larger front sway bar is a must have. The car was ridiculously planted and balanced. All of the rear end instability is gone without any increase to understeer. 225’s might contribute to that
It was Dyno day.
Got a solid tune after installing the new Wagner intercooler, FTP piping, 3 inch exhaust (resonator delete) 257hp (229 at the wheels) and timing adjusted for 93 octane. I can honestly say the remote tune was good and got me 90% of the way there. Getting on a Dyno will get you that last 10%. Dyno numbers. First three are from a remote tune.
Frank and his son do a great job there, they both really know their trade well.. We managed 309 out of the 03 R53. I'm waiting to get my JCW out there when fall comes around.
Last edited by BMUN8IVE; Sep 3, 2020 at 08:38 PM.
Reason: pic
I researched the best prices for decent or better than OEM parts to replace my burnt out clutch. R52 base. The factory clutch release arm sucks. No one makes an upgraded one. But I managed to piece together a Valeo clutch kit, Luk Flywheel, metal pivot pin and clutch release arm that looks better than factory for only $313.05 shipped. Had to order from 4 different online stores to get that price. Also took advantage of labor day sale online codes. Retailmenot Chrome add on worked great!
