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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.
Initial impression: Didn’t notice much change with throttle response, but it feels like it made the shifts feel smoother. Will report back when I have a chance to give it the beans in Sport+ mode.
I'm replacing the bumper cover on my daughter's R52S, and I will also be removing the OE accessory rack.
Are any of the exhaust mount bolts used to secure these rails that go into the underbody channels? Anyone have a pdf of the installation instructions for this rack?
Thanks!
UPDATE: I found the installation instructions at this link. I'll be removing the Sport Link hitch system, so if anyone is interested in it, shoot me a PM (I do not have any of the attachment accessories).
Initial impression: Didn’t notice much change with throttle response, but it feels like it made the shifts feel smoother. Will report back when I have a chance to give it the beans in Sport+ mode.
Yes!
You were right-on in a few posts back when I too installed the lower torque mount and added the powerflex inserts.
My experience: I noticed instant throttle response and my take-off lag was virtually gone (I initially thought it may have been a BPV issue - but not). I also agree/noticed how smoothly and precise my shifts improved especially after upgrading my upper engine mount with Vibra Technics.
More vibration - Yes. But very smooth and subtle at the steering wheel. The trade off - Much improved take off and everything feels tight and more responsive. Hoping you experience similar benifits!
BTW: Nice and clean "underbelly" you have there!
Almost have my OFH gasket replacement buttoned up with a less sloppy turbine housing and a few other changes. Rusty car presented a few challenges, but besides a turbine-downpipe stud that snapped off after the manifold/turbo was installed, it was fairly smooth sailing.
I was not excited to troubleshoot the ABS, as my INPA install does not include R56 chassis/body to read the code, and I don't really know how to fix that. Also my diag laptop cannot hold ISTA+ or whatever variant these use because the SSD is too small. I put off repair for like a month, then borrowed a friend's Autel scanner and found that all of these lights are just the mini asking for the brake fluid to be topped up...
Took the wife out to lunch today in Santa Barbara, took the long way home and found a nice spot to take some pics. The long drive gave the suspension time to settle out.
Took the wife out to lunch today in Santa Barbara, took the long way home and found a nice spot to take some pics. The long drive gave the suspension time to settle out.
Took the wife out to lunch today in Santa Barbara, took the long way home and found a nice spot to take some pics. The long drive gave the suspension time to settle out.
I finished replacing the passenger/right CV axle today. I used a Duralast 10661N from Autozone for the lifetime warranty. I did notice that the Duralast's outer CV boot had more pleats (6 vs 4) than on the one I removed (I'm not sure if it was OE). The boot on the inner joint had cracked and was weeping grease on the failed axle. The grease was liquified, too.
Then, I reattached the rear exhaust heat shields (after removing the Sports-Link hitch). I used large aluminum washers that I punched out of sheet to cover the areas that corroded through, and then made a large plate for under the exhaust hangers.
I used an aluminum pop rivet on each side of the battery box to join the heat shield halves there, and then the large aluminum washer. A stainless, metric push nut holds everything in place on the original studs from the body.
I also replaced the rear bumper cover with a color-matched one I retrieved from a parts car earlier in the summer. All the parking sensors are now hot orange, again 🧡. Before ^^
After ^^
The last repair was to cut about a 1/2" of length out of the joint I made when I replaced the mufflers a couple of years ago. I could never get the exhaust adjusted right to keep it from making contact with the reinforcement brace under the car at the back of the exhaust tunnel on the convertible body. Removing that little bit of length allowed the center pipe to shift up enough to provide some clearance - the background noise in the cabin is much quieter driving down the road now 🙂
My daughter will be home from college this weekend, so she can try it out 😎
Not today but over the weekend - Instead of dealing with a much needed cat replacement; I instead decided to work on a much needed rear duckbill spoiler re-finish/paint.
The desert environment is brutal on a cars' finishe. My custom rear duckbill spoiler was not spared and has seen the worst under these conditions.
After removing my rear hatch spoiler, I wasn't surprised to find quite a few of the 22 y/o retaining clips that hold the hatch beltline trim in place have crumbled and broken to bits...
Sometimes it's good to have the presence of mind to grab a few small odds and ends while shopping the salvage yards...
Replaced 4 out of 5 broken clips. Since, if I recall, the clips may have come from a later 1st Gen model which may have been held on by center screws... I simply epoxied them in place.
My work/production schedule is pretty crazy long hours. I took the liberty of re-finishing and re painting the spoiler behind a wall in the back-lot...
The locking rear hatch on a Mini makes for a pretty good place to hang the spoiler while the paint flashes off....
I also took "a few moments" to strip, refinish and paint my passenger side view mirror. No before pic - but trust me - it was so weather beaten by the sun and sand; it looked liked it had been sitting in a salvage yard for decades.
And then this nice couple in a pristine 2010(?), royal grey, fully loaded, convertible S pulled up and parked behind me...They knew rule #1...We talked Minis for a while..
Wednesday- Power steering Fluid Flush, Oil Change, tire rotation, fixed exhaust leak, just need a new clamp.
Thursday - Just a quick wipe down rainy season almost over
After sewing the black and orange leather steering wheel cover I decided to cover the armrest and dash panels in matching tartan seat fabric. Not perfect as the glue I used dried too quickly to reposition the fabric to line up properly.
After sewing the black and orange leather steering wheel cover I decided to cover the armrest and dash panels in matching tartan seat fabric. Not perfect as the glue I used dried too quickly to reposition the fabric to line up properly.
Yesterday, replaced my windshield washer pump. The old one was leaking, and wouldn't hold fluid in the tank for more than a day or two. Bought a new Bremen pump from ECS, and the nozzles were the wrong shape, which wouldn't allow the hoses to clip on. Fail. The pump I received didn't even look like the pictures in the listing.
Found online that Napa had a pump that looked like it was compatible. Purchased that one, and when it came in found it had all the same markings and manufacturer codes as the OEM pump, with the exception of any BMW identifiers. If any 3rd gen owners need a new washer pump, here you go: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHWWP124
Also yesterday, I swapped out my lug bolts for lug studs. Went with a 14mm x 12mm conversion so I could use 12x1.5 lug nuts. Studs are long enough for me to run the 15mm spacers required for my winter setup, too.
This is the stud kit I used: https://motorsporthardware.com/produ...-of-lugs=5-Lug
Here is what I received, inside a Bremmen labeled box:
Clearly, not what was pictured in the listing. And, due to the shape of the hose connections, the hoses would not clip onto that pump. I was authorized to return it, but at my cost for shipping. At $14, I'm calling it a loss.
Just drove it and enjoyed it thoroughly. Ran the heater for the first time in 6 months. Outdoor temps were a chilly 73°. Been in the desert so long my blood is 90w140 now.... 😀
Installed the winter tires on “like” new 17” wheels. What a difference with respect to noise. Although they are Blizzak winter tires and a bit loud, they are WAY quieter than the lower profile 18” Continental’s that I have on the summer wheels.
Changing the starter tomorrow. The weather is still really nice here for a few more days but we’re on borrowed time. Snow and cold here soon
:(
