Hey Hawaii MINI Motoring Club members...let's use this thread to talk about what you'd like to do at our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) sessions. How to change a tire? How to install an aero grille on a stock bumper?

Post your topic requests here!!!

 

Seems like there is a lack of clear bra installers for the MINI in the entire state, sooooo I'll be willing to help install one onto a MINI and offer tips on do's and don'ts.
Just need a place, time, some clear bra and a MINI to volunteer.

If someone has had one done professionally, we could compare it with the amatuer job I did on mine and then people can decide whether they want to DIY or not.

 

Sullivan'sdaddy....thank you for your offer! That would be awesome!!!!! I'm sure there's lots of folks that would like to learn how to do this...especially if people are getting quoted several hundreds of dollars or so to get these things installed.

 

DIY Possible ideas.

Appearance mods
Replacing tail lights with white lights or aftermarket lights
Installing tail light wiring mod
Installing brighter light bulbs for headlights or fog lights
Replacing side marker/lights
Changing side mirror covers
Installing aero front grills
Installing wire mesh to the front bonnet scoop

Interior mods
Installing Euro parcel shelf under steering wheel knee bolster area
Installing aux input to 2003 and later in dash radio
Removing rear seats entirely.
Installing chrome trim rings
Removing dash pieces
Replacing the manual shift ****
Installing a wider rear view mirror

Performance mods
Changing drop in air filter
Installing cold air intake in MC or MCS
Installing rear sway bar
Installing front tower strut bar
Installing lowering springs
Installing aftermarket spark plugs/wires
Upgrading brake pads
Changing brake fluid
Installing schroth harnesses

Maintenance
Checking engine/car fluid levels
Changing oil and filter
Changing a flat tire
Rotating wheels
Cleaning and conditioning leather seats
Care for your tires
Care for your wheel arches and paint (washing and waxing)

Other topics
How to set Harmon Kardon radio for best results
How to choose a helmet for driving events or autocross
How to make the most out of your CVT transmission
Defensive driving in a MINI
How to drive a manual transmission (novices and autocrossers alike)

And much more- please add to the list

 

My newly painted MCS are already had some rock chips and I can't wait till
someone are willing to install it. I know its going to get worse when my son
started to drive the car next semester (as a deal).

 

Aloha,

Howz about paint chip repair using OEM touch-up paint and Langka?

Blending performance and appearance, I'd suggest replace OEM brake pads and perhaps brake lines, rotors, etc for better street or track braking.

I'm looking forward to club events !

 

ipod adaptor...

 

cdub.........lol. hit on the head, its all about the IPOD. lets learn how to install the wiring from the back of the stereo to the ipod. a nice clean look.

 

--Oh yes I second that. IPOD install for both standard and H/K stereo. I just got a 30gb ipod photo as a gift for being the best man in a wedding.
I guess they liked the bachelor and bachelorette parties i threw for them both.

--pyratio

 

I'm sure Blown-Lone-Star can sponsor a DIY on replacing the OEM chrome door handle :impatient ...long story!

If anyone is interested, I can sponsor a DIY on the iPod interface install

 

IPOD interface install??? I am interested Nice talking to you the other day, I did removed the oil pan drain plug with a pipe-wrench.

 

yeah i know what its like to change out the chrome door handle, its not fun. and there is no gaurantee it end up scratched up worse than the original. I found out that minis are put together pretty well. Thanks Randy again.

 

Sorry drea-min, I don't think your '02 MCS will "interface" with the iPod
I'm glad you were able to remove the drain plug with the "proper" tool...:impatient ..(sarcasm).
Now that your "free" maintenance is up, hopefully you'll never have an overtorqued drain plug again

 

I inquired from parts dept. and they told me that certain production date can not and mine can, infact they even have it on stock. I almost bought it but when they told me its going to cost me over $300.00, i said never mine :impatient

 

hmmm.. I can't think of anything I want to change... even though I have looked at many mini aftermarket items....

did throw on a few decals thought for uniqueness....

2 cooper S side stickers....
1 "Actual Size" sticker on rear widow...

waiting on HMMC sticker...
and maybe 1-2 more...

 

--Oh yes aux port install too! My Ipod has a 15 hour battery so I kinda don't want it charging all the time. (bad for the battery) I also want to be able play with it while it is plugged in so my passenger can go hunt for songs or playlists while a song is already playing.

I got to play with a friends Monster cable for ipod and while it sounded pretty good, I think a direct line will sound even better and for less price. The monster was $80 while the aux port is less than half of that.

--pyratio

 

i did my own ipod adaptor couple of months back. i just love the sound (even for just a OEM stereo). and i saved 150 install fee for other goodies for my MCS..

IMO, i think a DIY for replacing sidemarkers (on the arch) and OEM fog lamps would be a great one. figure that we all will have to do this sometime once your warrenty expires, this will come in handy.

i'm thinking of getting the OEM gauges in the future...now that should be fun!

 

Aloha folks-

One of the first mods I did was to cut and fit a mesh grill to the intake on my S. It was pretty easy and has kept a LOT of flying junk out of the engine compartment including one HUGE moth!

Aloha!

JCW04

 

im down with learning how to istall grills, not just the scoop grill. Im planning on buying the other grills in the future.
casey.

 

did you use a metal mesh or plastic. i have an extra lower grill from my old bumper i was looking at triming to fit my intake as well as some various grill designs i saw online that would fit the honey comb look (to match my stock aerokit grill).

 

CW-

I scored a nice piece of stainless steel material that I think came off an BBQ grill. It had perforated holse and is pretty thin. I cut it to fit with a pair of sheet metal snips and popped it into place. It took a little trimming effort but all in all about 45-minutes work.

Aloha!

JCW04

 

sounds interesting. i'm trying to keep mine grills all black...and looking about the same as the plastic grills (unless i alter them in the future).

 

I've decided to grille all 100%. M7 black powder coated. stands for 5 grilles.

 

And it looks mighty impressive.

Only for me (lower front and two rears). I have envy.

Andrew, do the M7 grilles work for cars with the MINI aero kit?

 

D
Sorry it will not fit the aero kit and don't think M7 are planning on any production. I'm glad you like the grilles.