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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.
R&R'd front outer ball joints and Sway bar drop links today.
Pretty easy job. Until realized that I had miss judged the condition of my inner ball joints.
One torn pillow on the driver side but lots of slop on both.
(Eeep)...Yes - that was the sound I made in an effort to hold back my tears.
*Sigh*...Looks like I'll be going in deep soon.
Last edited by Here2Go; Oct 8, 2022 at 05:20 PM.
Reason: outer
Replaced the club door release
lever on my R55.
The upper return spring support
had broken, leaving it askew.
Now the handle opens the door
again without having to reach
down and pry the lever out.
Grumpy and I made friend on the way home from work last Friday. Another pre-LCI R53, this one all in black. If you're here, Hi! Rt 30 eastbound between Wrightsville and Columbia.
Mounted a small, affordable fire extinguisher along the passenger side kick panel, today.
Although, I've seen the brackets available (i.e: "Braketeer"), which mount just proud of the lower passenger seat; I felt it would interfere with the seat adjuster.
Almost learned the hard way (not having a fire extinguisher), while watching my prized '68 Karmann Ghia catch fire due to a fuel line improperly tightened in haste.
Nice - I like to see an extinguisher in cars that people plan on keeping forever. I added an extinguisher onto my RSD last year and mounted on a set of quick release rubber mounting blocks. My engine is pretty clean, so got rid of all of the old oil grunge that was in there when I did the supercharger service, but you just never know. I feel so much more prepared.
on my jeeps and side-by-sides for several years with good results (included Amerex wall backet not used). Once attached to a suitable surface, simply pulling loose the included velcro straps enables deploying the bottle while still retained inside its padded slip case. I had an extra one available and had been keeping it stowed in the boot but moved it behind the passenger seat where it is held securely with the seat slid back without rattles nor worry about becoming airborne in an accident. Not as convenient to reach as the passenger floor area but better there than in the boot. If this concept appeals, buying both as a package direct from Bartact is the best value...
Pulled the mini from storage and replaced the front struts (blistein B4s) and strut mount of my 07 R56. Original shocks was leaking already. Reused the bumpers as they are in good condition. Will do an oil changed then swap the tires and it is ready for winter.
My expectations were low for 17 bucks - was considering a $299 kit. But it does everything I need. The phone sound quality is fantastic, and the music quality, although not audiophile quality, is good enough! Best 17 bucks spent in awhile!
1_Today I preformed the ceremonial, 3,500mi, Bi-annual "Changing Of The Oil".
Dragged the dirty oil in the drain pan with a 2" diam earth magnet afterwards. Nearly none, if at all, micron metal particles were detected.
Although I do have a minor oil pan leak (3/4qt/2.5kmi), I have to admit how nice it is to see how clean the underside of my Mini is everytime I jack it up. I de-grease and wipe it down everytime - regardless.
2_Discovered my lower engine mount (dog bone), is in need of replacement. 5 years since replaced with an aftermarket. Not too bad. Ordered another and will consider PF inserts as well.
3_ Made a slight adjustment to the front toe after new tires and a recent outer ball joints and SB droplinks replacement. I had also dropped the front (recently) with lowering springs. I discovered and had to disgard a badly denteted powersteering fan stone deflector I had fabricated from an air conditioner air diverter. I'll make a new one.
4_Cleaned out the airbox. Cleaned and reconditioned the K&N cone filter.
5_R&R'd and cleaned the sparkplugs. Looked exceptionally good since installed 8k ago.
5_Installed a pair of new BOXI rear hatch gas supports.
My expectations were low for 17 bucks - was considering a $299 kit. But it does everything I need. The phone sound quality is fantastic, and the music quality, although not audiophile quality, is good enough! Best 17 bucks spent in awhile!
Thanks for that!
I had seen those cig lighter BT devices a while back but never pulled the trigger. Wasn't sure how well they worked. I don't really need it for hands free answering calls (I enjoy DRIVING, not chatting). But more-so for the 16+ GB of music I've stored on my phone.
2_Discovered my lower engine mount (dog bone), is in need of replacement. 5 years since replaced with an aftermarket. Not too bad. Ordered another and will consider PF inserts as well.
Thanks for that!
I had seen those cig lighter BT devices a while back but never pulled the trigger. Wasn't sure how well they worked. I don't really need it for hands free answering calls (I enjoy DRIVING, not chatting). But more-so for the 16+ GB of music I've stored on my phone.
It works pretty darn good! I added a 256GB card to my phone and the music player there works flawlessly. The device recognizes the bluetooth within a couple of seconds too - really fast.
I replaced my dogbone as well last year I believe - used the SuperPro bushings, and the SP inserts on the upper dogbone as well. Great quality and the price is also kinder on the wallet. Something to consider. Need to do the main engine mount soon - still the original - no cracks on the original rubber one still after all of these years!
Installed a few weeks ago so figured I'd post a pic before it starts snowing. JCW Pro rear Diffuser 2 color- gloss black band over Thunder Grey. JCW Pro Front splitter. OZ Ultraleggera's
Yesterday,(Sunday), as usual was our weekly Mini-wash and detailing day. After pressure washing the sticky stuff off my Mini in disgust; I remembered that a fellow car enthusiast gave me a bottle of Nu Finish several months ago.
Although I had planned on applying ceramic coat at some point - I conveniently still had the bottle of Nu Finish under the hatch and decided - "what the heck. 'couldn't hurt." I polished the entire car including glass, wheels and chrome.
All I can say is WOW!!!. If this stuff works this well, I can only imagine what a good ceramic brand might do.
I noticed my Mini still retained it's brilliant shine all day today.
There was still some sap peppered about the car that accumulated over the previous night but easily rinsed off with just a garden hose. The water just beaded right up and rolled of the surface. Nice.
With regard to the Title:
<Rant>I must addendum by saying; My Mini has never been garage kept. But I washed and detailed it at least 1nce a week for 19 years. I've since moved to a gawd awful state. They have these things called "trees". 'not a fan.
For 6ix months / 2wice a year, Spring and Fall, my Mini is covered in sap. I'm sick of constantly rinsing it every day and pressure washing/detailing it weekly.</Rant>
@MikeMJCW your MINI is not only beautiful - It's as though you could use it in lieu of a mirror!
Mini is covered in sap. I'm sick of constantly rinsing it every day and pressure washing/detailing it weekly.</Rant> @MikeMJCW your MINI is not only beautiful - It's as though you could use it in lieu of a mirror!
Thank you. My Mini is a weekend car (also have a GMC Sierra 1500, that get's sap-ed on ) and is garage kept, that photo did glisten, I had just used Turtle Wax Graphene flex the week before.
@MikeMJCW Here2Go is right on, your car is fantastically clean. Well done!
@Here2Go I had my Countryman ceramic coated soon after I bought it. The shine was great but the real benefit (IMO) is durability and ease of cleaning. Next year, I'm planning to apply Gyeon Can Coat Evo. Easy to apply and great results, according to what I've seen online. Esoteric has a video about it (esotericcarcare.com). I need to do a paint correction (or have it done) before coating.
@Here2Go I had my Countryman ceramic coated soon after I bought it. The shine was great but the real benefit (IMO) is durability and ease of cleaning. Next year, I'm planning to apply Gyeon Can Coat Evo. Easy to apply and great results, according to what I've seen online. Esoteric has a video about it (esotericcarcare.com). I need to do a paint correction (or have it done) before coating.
Thanks for bringing that up again. I remembered our posts with respect to ceramic wheel care and refinishing my S-Lites. Gyeon Q2 CanCoat Evo looks impressive, affordable and easy to apply. Videos were super helpful.
My Mini could certainly use fresh paint on the front bumper and hood. Just a few minor rock chips. The rest of the body and paint is (now) in perfect condition after flawlessly pulling a few dings via paintless dent puller. I've grown a bit tired of my vinyl stripe layout. I purchased the checkmate "U" decal in matte black. I guess the point I'm wavering on is; whether or not to respray just the hood or spray the whole Mini a different color. Primarily the reason why I've held off on ceramic coat this long.
A brief backstory:
My Mini has lived 90% of it's life in FL and 100% in the South and SW below the Mason Dixon line. Despite having a few rock chips on the hood and front bumper, it is virtually rust free.
When we initially bought the car new in '04 (from Downtown MINI of Orlando), we were fortunate to work with the best and most educated salesman, I've ever met - a Mini enthusiast they rightfully referred to as "Mini Mike". Mike had bought a new 1st gen S as well and currently owned 1 or 2 fully restored classic Minis. Mike certainly had a passion and knew these cars inside and out.
Despite the rust provision warranty; Mike suggested we have the Mini "Simoniz" ($600), at a local reputable detailer he had referred us to. Him having such a love for these cars - Mike was right. Although we passed on his suggestion, we put a lot of love, effort and care into our Mini to keep it looking like new, over the years. Had I known better at the time - I wish we'd taken his advice.
Well not so much for "what did I do to my Mini today" - More like "what I did for me driving my Mini today".
For the last 40years I've lived my life in sunglasses. I feel naked without them and can't imagine driving without them.
There was a time when Wayfarer's were seen as the height of fashion. I personally didn't care for them. I wore Baloramas (e.g: Dirty Harry, Men In Black). They cost me $120+ back then for dark grey tinted lenses.
Love them and fit my "frame" very well. Until someone stole them 15years later while I was at the beach. Since then they've been either hard to find or pretty expensive @$200+ and only come in Xlarge.
Anyway to make a long story short - I came across a couple of really cheap pair of Chineseium (OldboySpeedwell termonolgy), knock offs.
When they recently arrived here's what I did to them:
Although not seen in the image above; I briefly dipped the entire sunglasses in boiling water and shaped them to a wrap-around style before removing the lenses.
I wanted the lenses to conform to the shape as well.
I wanted a specific style one that was sleek and proportionate to my face. So I sectioned out an 3/16" section with my Dremel - aka:"Ole Painless".
Glue just won't do. I prefer to weld. When it comes to "plastic" (zylonite/polyethelene,ABS), I use my soldering iron dedicated for welding plastic.
I used bits from the 3/16" cuts I made, as filler.
With the lenses previously boiled/shaped; I positioned each lenses against the inserts and scored a line with an exacto to match the newly modified frame.
Using the Dremel, a cut-off wheel and a drum sander attachment, I cut and reshaped each lens to fit.
After insuring that the lenses fit perfectly and snug and the welds were strong - a small amount of 2part Apoxie putty was all that was needed to smooth and finish the welded joints.
A quick 400 grit sanding and scuffing,light coat of primer and glazing putty to fill/feather any defects - The frames were ready for another final light coat of primer and final sanding before paint.
Left: Original Chinesium "Balorama's" - Right: My finished modified results.
Oh yeah; BTW...Since I hope it wasn't a complete waste of your time having to wade through this post... One Final touch...
I hope this may count for Mini related - "what did you do to your Mini today?"
Yep. 'Seen those as well.
I probably should have emphasized size: "small - medium" are hard to come by. My old ones were medium.
All the ("genuine") ones that I've purchased, I had to return because they were the large size.
Ray Ban use to offer different sizes (Balorama) many years ago. 'I suppose there wasn't much demand over the last few decades.
While I may not be an expert on Balorama's - I've gotten pretty good at spotting the fake ones now a-days.
Ebay is like shooting fish in a barrel.
) and is garage kept, that photo did glisten, I had just used Turtle Wax Graphene flex the week before.
