When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
General MINI TalkShared experiences, motoring minutes, and other general MINI-related discussion that applies to all MINIs, regardless of model, year or trim.
"Look around. Leaves are brown. And the sky is a hazy shade of winter".
It is way too cold for a warm blooded person (like myself), to be out working on their Mini. I suppose one could find other creative things to do indoors.....
An addendum to my previous post a while back {Cheap Sunglasses).
' Pretty good chance I would never wear those extra pair of fake Balorama's the way they are anyway, so I decided to MINIIaturize them as well.
To coincide with the cool weather as well as compliment the cool interior of my Mini....
Today, I reinstalled my retractable tonneau cover I had fabricated about 12 years ago.
.
Although it has been improperly stored for the past 7years...
When "new" (smooth), it had seemed to work very well obscuring the rear seat. As you can see, now, it's a little worse for wear.
When peering in through tinted windows from outside the car - it did a fairly decent job. I often used it (to conceal luggage), during my extended travels across the country.
I would first like to start off by saying; I apologize to those who might be a bit annoyed by the inferring (stupid) song titles headlining my posts.
With that being said...
While often tinkering around under the hood of my Mini, I can never help noticing the seemingly vacant cavern that exists over the top of the strut tower housing. Not necessarily an eyesore - but nonetheless.
When rummaging around in my plastics bin the other day, I happened across some wayward pieces laying around; which gave me an idea...
On a side note: I absolutely enjoy working with thermoplastics To me - It is one of the most versatile materials I have worked with for creative fabrication.
I combined the cap with a smaller section of pipe. The final unification - Painted & gloss clear coated.
I decided to do a few more variations....
Although I really don't like to brand "my works" with logos...It only seemed fitting for this particular application.
Another cold and overcast Sunday. Another day indoors. I received the new perforated mesh a few days ago so I could re-do my previously posted; retractable, rear seat tonneau cover.
I have only had my MNI since September and want to do so many things that I honestly don't know where to start. Today I added a NM Engineering power module but because it is a nasty rainy day I haven't take it out for a test drive. I do want to add a Bilstein suspension kit- comments.
I ordered a Borla sport exhaust today so I will have another project on the next rainy day! I really need to win the lottery!!! LOL
Remember this one. Probably one of the best after market. Mini Fini
Old school Gen 1 MINI upgrades I believe this was before MINI had a factory armrest option which was ~2005. I remember it was also a factory MINI part which was offered at the MINI dealers before they went away from that company in the 2007.
I installed a simple coolant temp gauge that plugs into the obd2 port. Modified the mounting hardware with CAD and printed out the new housing on the 3d printer to give it a factory look. Total cost was about $35.
Bought a 2nd one. 05 R53. Factory lsd, chrono pack, black on black on black leather, sunroof, 15% WMW pulley, Alta intake, cs strut defenders and dip stick. Paid 4500 runs like a dream, needs new windshield, headliner and oil pan gasket. My uncle does interior work so he can do the headliner, I’ll knock out the oil pan gasket, and safelite can have the windshield but will have to double check with a couple other places first. Also setup for towing which the wife and I might be entertaining doing in a year.
Yes she dirty but scan cleaned, no lights on dash.
Bought a 2nd one. 05 R53. Factory lsd, chrono pack, black on black on black leather, sunroof, 15% WMW pulley, Alta intake, cs strut defenders and dip stick. Paid 4500 runs like a dream, needs new windshield, headliner and oil pan gasket. My uncle does interior work so he can do the headliner, I’ll knock out the oil pan gasket, and safelite can have the windshield but will have to double check with a couple other places first. Also setup for towing which the wife and I might be entertaining doing in a year.
Yes she dirty but scan cleaned, no lights on dash.
Nice, looks like it has the tow package for hauling around on an RV. I would change the trans fluid and make sure everything on the transmission and clutch if fine. Just incase something happened in a haul I don't like personally how people haul MINIs without a trailier and RV.
Nice, looks like it has the tow package for hauling around on an RV. I would change the trans fluid and make sure everything on the transmission and clutch if fine. Just incase something happened in a haul I don't like personally how people haul MINIs without a trailier and RV.
this was setup for towing behind an RV. Trans fluid will be swapped, she drives like a dream. The gentleman I got it from spared no money on this tow stuff. Has the connection for steering and keep the battery charged. We almost bought the rest of the tow stuff, don’t have the RV but we have a RAV4 😁 In all honesty we are still down in Tennessee, once we get back to Ohio time to get her ready for MOTD.
Since you had the option to go without, what made you decide to keep the notch?
Funny you should ask.
After looking at pictures of the R52 braces; it took me a few moments to understand what those "indents" were for.
It didn't take long after seeing all the rear-end collisions on my way to and from work that those indents were designed as impact/crumple zones!
Since I wasn't going to be sacrificing structural integrity by mimicking them - it only made sense to incorporate them rather than have something else having to absorb a potential impact.
Ironic - I just revisited my initial post/thread and just now, saw your reply with respect to your question regarding the "crumple zone".
Great minds think alike?
@Here2Go Your cabrio braces look better than those from Mini. You did a much better job of finishing the welds, making them disappear, in fact. Those from Mini are not particularly clean. Really nicely done. Given how hard these are to find, I think you've found a side business.
I believe this was before MINI had a factory armrest option which was ~2005. I remember it was also a factory MINI part which was offered at the MINI dealers before they went away from that company in the 2007. 
