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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.
Let me just say, the quality of the newer mats is not the same as my 2003 originals. They seem to weigh quite a bit less. Still fairly robust, but not the same.
Last edited by jcolletteiii; Dec 30, 2020 at 11:13 AM.
New mats...
Let me just say, the quality of the newer mats is not the same as my 2003 originals. They seem to weigh quite a bit less. Still fairly robust, but not the same.
Congrats on the new mats... really freshens up an interior! I did the same thing with my R55 Clubbie as part of "welcoming it to its new home".
Interestingly, similar thing in the Miata/MX5 world except even with the original carpet/mats: first gen NA cars had thick and sturdy "hook and loop" carpet throughout (and I mean carpets not just the floor mats) and then got notably thinner/lighter in subsequent generations. Not a huge deal but I do prefer the thicker/sturdier carpet and mats in my NA over what was in my NB and NC. Cuts down road noise a tiny bit better too... not that there is any chance of NOT having all manner of road noise in a modded NA miata...
Thanks man, and I hear you on the old stuff. Cutting corners and shaving off a few cents here and there. It bothers me. How much thinner can they make body panels before they deform when you lean against them? Ugh.
Anyhow, been a busy couple of days. Picked up and reupholstered a 2003 headliner donor. Sorry for the crap photo, night in a dark garage illuminated with 3 different color temp LED bulbs can't be easy on cell phone white balance settings.
Replaced my parking light bulbs with LED 5000K ones from Hella. Much closer color match with the xenon headlights. I think the 6000K bulbs would be closer still, but I think getting rid of that big orange egg yolk in the parking light housing will make an even bigger diff. Definitely brighter and whiter though. Huge improvement.
I had the pleasure of driving my mom's '21 Cooper S with the DCT over the holidays, and just returned it today after a quick detail.
Had to take it around the lakes before giving it back, and I made a little video since that handy phone mount just begs for it. The roads were cold and slick, but this car is brilliant, and the transmission (while I'd prefer manual) never skipped a beat. These are local roads, not racetracks, so I tried to be considerate while still getting a good feel for the limits of the car.
Changed out Pads and Slotted/Drilled Rotors all the way around on my 05 R52s with some from R1 Concepts. Have used them before on a Boxster and 350Z and they seem to work well for us, touring and just general fun weekend days.
Voltage Racing Products a small MINI accessory shop started by a couple of MINI enthusiasts ( Dale ) had a really nice hidden light bar...They closed up shop in 2012. I'll look for photos which may help.
Not much out there for info.....only found photo's of finished install for NAM member. It was basically what you have but with just two extentions on either end with a cross piece at the front and fit nicely inside the lower lip of the lower bumper facia.
It provided enough rigid support under the front lip trim to allow the lights to secure directly to black lip trim. No hardware was visible.
Last edited by Eurothrasher; Jan 6, 2021 at 06:46 AM.
Hmmm.... never heard of them. This one is based on the Palo Uber design. Got a bit of tweaking to do today, but the hardware fabrication side is close to finished. Would love to see some photos if you can dig them up! Thanks!
Few things done over the last few days... quad light bar and new shoes. Few weeks before it was lift and mud flaps. It's starting to become what I had envisioned!
After reading a bunch of reviews on H7 fog bulbs, and wanting to change it up to yellow/amber, I bought some Hoen H7 yellow bulbs to try out. They cam it today, and I took a few minutes to install them (making sure to not touch the bulb!). I have to say, when I was doing the side-by-side that 1) my phone's white balance sucks; 2) these bulbs do seem to be quite brighter than the stock bulbs, but not sure if the stockers appear dimmer because they are 17 1/2 years old, or because the yellow light renders to my eyeballs differently. They do appear brighter to my eyes though.
The light is definitely yellower than it appears in this side by side shot. You can see the color being cast on the grey moving blanket on the floor here - that is more the actual color of the bulb.
Bulb side-by-side.
And the full shot of both bulbs installed. I have to say - I have seen photos of these bulbs installed in Mini fog lights and I was just a little bit worried they would be too yellow, but the color is not overwhelming at all - it is a nice yellow color that I think will really help out in fog or snow (which my car probably won't see too much of anyhow), and they look *really* nice in person.
Lighting overhaul nearly done at this point. All interior lights have been replaced with LED, and tomorrow the front and rear directionals will be done with LED. I think I will do the high beam bulbs in a xenon-matched color at some point.
Finally put new Kumho's on the front in 205-50R17 size. Really fills up all of that extra space in the wheelwells better than the stock size, and man they feel good.
New bigger tires just on the front? Not a great idea...
Originally Posted by jcolletteiii
Finally put new Kumho's on the front in 205-50R17 size. Really fills up all of that extra space in the wheelwells better than the stock size, and man they feel good.
New bigger tires just on the front? Not a great idea...
Nope, they're all around *now*. I replaced the rears in this size back in June because the cracking was far worse there than in front. I'll never buy Michelins ever again.
I did the same thing with my R55 Clubbie as part of "welcoming it to its new home". 
