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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.
Put on a different hood decal today to match my side decals. I also cleaned off the black hightemp coating on my turbo and imo , silver looks wayyyy nicer.
AaaaaNd i finished the cae knockoff shifter install. Gowd i live this thing. It actually FAR better than a coolerworx amd 1/3 the price.. better fit too.
Got a piggyback ride home. Tire light came on while on the return trip from The Old Pueblo this evening. Tire's done. Pulled off to check it out, and as soon as I opened the driver's door, I heard it reciting incantations in Parseltongue. Tried to move my hand around the tire and localize the leak, and found some of the steel cords sticking out. Pointy little buggers, them. No way my little air pump could've pushed air in faster than it was leaking out....
For those with Gen 3 MINIs with either the B36 or B46 engines, there is an extended warranty on evap system purge valve. You might want to check out this post: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4711392
I just received a notice today about this for my 2023 F60 Countryman. Just getting the word out.
Got a new Fob and key cut today (ouch!) and replaced the overhead console switches.
The sunroof button was broken, flopped around and sometimes wouldn't work.
Had the cam chain replaced, due to hearing the rattling at idle when cold. Our R59 is 11 years old, not the original owners. It was a Carvana purchase with 26k miles.
Mini Works in Carson City, is a small shop, but they treat you like at the dealer.
Sent videos of progress, explained things to us along the way. No hidden fees. Very nice. He found a loose tensioner bolt that could been the rattling issue. I wanted to proceed with the chain replacement for peace of mind.
Finally got around to installing the Mini full lower engine cover. Removed the stock short belt cover/protector. Bought it and the additional hardware from Mini Parts Direct, and was an easy install.
Finally got around to installing the Mini full lower engine cover. Removed the stock short belt cover/protector. Bought it and the additional hardware from Mini Parts Direct, and was an easy install.
Please share the details for the lower engine cover.
I have the R58 and would like to know more
Thank you
Finally got around to installing the Mini full lower engine cover. Removed the stock short belt cover/protector. Bought it and the additional hardware from Mini Parts Direct, and was an easy install.
@Velcross
Still learning about MINI and the new to us (my wife's car) R59. When I changed the oil and filter a few months back, I noticed there wasn't a full lower engine cover, only ine off to the side to protect the belts. The lower front coolant hose looks low enought to possiblly scrape on something, so I looked into a full cover, and bought one new off ebay that stated it would fit. Before I received it, @njaremka informed me that it wouldn't fit. I received a full refund. ESC Tuning, sells this lower cover, as does a few other places, and you can even buy it from a MINI Dealer. Not knowing what It came with I ordered all of the fasteners, but that's OK I have spares just in case.
These are the items I purchased.
Amount and type of hardware I actually needed:
Actual Cover, showing all fasteners. I really only needed the front 2 quick release screws, 2 plastic washers, and 2 fender liner u-nuts, and 2 frame hole clips.
Look under your MINI to see what you currently have in the way of hardware, as you may or may not need all that I purchased. Now I have peace of mind, but realize I have to remove the cover to change the oil, as there are not any holes for this.
Last edited by CoreyDSFA; May 5, 2026 at 07:37 AM.
After switching to the ECS CF intake, the stock intake lower tube would not seat correctly into the coupler and I would end up sucking in some hot air from the engine bay.
Today I installed a "new" intake tube and I drilled a few holes in my grill to add a bit more airflow towards it. I think it turned out pretty nice.
In the future, I plan on modifying the stock lower intake tube for it to fit and then skinning it with CF so it will blend in with the intake...
@Velcross
Still learning about MINI and the new to us (my wife's car) R59. When I changed the oil and filter a few months back, I noticed there wasn't a full lower engine cover, only ine off to the side to protect the belts. The lower front coolant hose looks low enought to possiblly scrape on something, so I looked into a full cover, and bought one new off ebay that stated it would fit. Before I received it, @njaremka informed me that it wouldn't fit. I received a full refund. ESC Tuning, sells this lower cover, as does a few other places, and you can even buy it from a MINI Dealer. Not knowing what It came with I ordered all of the fasteners, but that's OK I have spares just in case.
These are the items I purchased.
Amount and type of hardware I actually needed:
Actual Cover, showing all fasteners. I really only needed the front 2 quick release screws, 2 plastic washers, and 2 fender liner u-nuts, and 2 frame hole clips.
Look under your MINI to see what you currently have in the way of hardware, as you may or may not need all that I purchased. Now I have peace of mind, but realize I have to remove the cover to change the oil, as there are not any holes for this.
Yep my old R56 MINI Cooper was one of the first car to test this, once the GP2 came out we ordered the part and tested it in our shop.
Thats the old install shots on my blue R56 MINI Cooper S. We also testes it on a white R56 MINI Cooper.
Hoping to install my Direct Port Meth Kit in my R60 today + tomorrow (Its raining at the moment)! Just finished putting together the wiring, hoses, tank, nozzles, and fittings.
Im going a slightly different route than what I originally wanted. I wanted a sleek inline 5 port block but then I found that the ports will get unequal flow...so I came up with this idea:
instead of having a inline 5 port block with one inlet on one side, why not split the line with the "T" Fitting and then use a 7 port block, having the flow coming in both ends - giving equal flow across the board.
The 2 outer ports on each side will go to the intake manifold, while the center port will lead to the 5th nozzle...its just more fittings and what not to accomplish. I really wish there was a 5 port showerhead block out there but I can only find 4 or 6 ports...maybe in the future Ill get a 6 port and block one port off to clean up the design.
This is the look I wanted but with a 5th line coming out of the opposing end:
Most of this will now be hidden behind the bulkhead. In my head I thought I would be able to have the "T" Fitting poke out of the bulkhead, have the lines go around the intake box on both sides, then have the distribution block mounted on the front face of the intake box....unfortunately there was more room in my head than reality. So now I will have it all behind the bulkhead, having each of the nozzle lines come through and go to there intended places. I hope it looks as nice as Im picturing it....in the future if this does work out, I will be replacing all the nylon hose with AN4 lines and fittings to spice up the look more....I didnt want hardlines because I didnt trust myself to bend them as nicely as Prometh shows and I couldnt justify another $300 in lines after spending the insane amount I did building this kit....I basically bought double what is shown here due to things not fitting or working originally - so I basically have an future kit aside from another tank, pump, and controller for my R56.
While traveling 40 miles from "home" through down town ABQ - Yesterday my 22-1/2 y/o Factory fuel pump in my 04 R53 finally died @ 126,108 miles.
This left me stranded. I spent most of the day walking to the nearest auto parts store. Unfortunately the only fuel pump readily available was an OE generic brand.
But it got me back on the road.
While traveling 40 miles from "home" through down town ABQ - Yesterday my 22-1/2 y/o Factory fuel pump in my 04 R53 finally died @ 126,108 miles.
This left me stranded. I spent most of the day walking to the nearest auto parts store. Unfortunately the only fuel pump readily available was an OE generic brand.
But it got me back on the road.
Good job with the side-of-the-road fix! You can always find a good OEM-ish one and keep this one as a spare, if it worries you....
Good job with the side-of-the-road fix! You can always find a good OEM-ish one and keep this one as a spare, if it worries you....
Thanks!
Yeah - Having built and driven some radical early model VWs (no one would tow me), most of my life, taught me a valuable lesson about having to fend for yourself in the event of a breakdown. That includes carrying spare parts and a lot of tools.
My Mini is my first (new) and only modern car I've ever owned.
That aforementioned rule still applies.
Thanks!
Yeah - Having built and driven some radical early model VWs (no one would tow me), most of my life, taught me a valuable lesson about having to fend for yourself in the event of a breakdown. That includes carrying spare parts and a lot of tools.
My Mini is my first (new) and only modern car I've ever owned.
That aforementioned rule still applies.
I had a number of old VWs over the years. Mostly just old beaters, but the rule about tools and spares still applies. Still have a couple specific to VWs, like the carefully bent Stanley screwdriver used for adjusting the brakes, 12V strobe timing light, and a couple others. Still have the John Muir "Idiot manual" somewhere in a box of books, too....
I had a number of old VWs over the years. Mostly just old beaters, but the rule about tools and spares still applies. Still have a couple specific to VWs, like the carefully bent Stanley screwdriver used for adjusting the brakes, 12V strobe timing light, and a couple others. Still have the John Muir "Idiot manual" somewhere in a box of books, too....
Yes sir - You are/were truly a bona-fide classic VW owner! That John Muir "Idiot Guide" I'd considered my Bible back in those days when I had built my first 40hp into a 1600 performance dual-port. And yes I too had an arsenal of custom DIY improvised tools.
Ahh the good old days when cars/ things seemed so simple! My 1967 custom 110 hp Porsche powered VW Beetle (circa 1986).
That was then...This is now...
