YellowHa everyone! First of all I've been a Nam member early this year but never got a chance to have conversation to Hawaii folks. Well It's been a year now since I've own my '03 r53. I put to almost 10k miles as of this writing and It's my DD car. Lots of fun and some spirited driving over the year that got me 1 speeding ticket geez! But now I think It's for me to pamper give attention to my mini needs. I did some couple things on my mini mostly repairs done myself such as saggy headliners spark plugs/wires/coilpack and 02 sensors due to having a lean code reading but that did not clear:( . Another set is CA bushings, ball joints, coolant tank res., thermostat kit done by my mechanic. Was all good until Now my stock struts had it and got mushrooming too. Front tires (inner) having rapid cambering. Debating wether koni fsd or some coils for susp setup. Really can't decide which because I'm after ride smoothness but likes a bit lowered too. Knowing fsd isn't made for lowering springs. Anymore piece of advice there? Or does anybody of you can install struts!? Also I wish they will have those mini meets again like ive seen in the early years of mini bmw's. Till next time and happy safe motoring!

 

By the way here is my yellowHa

 

Nice...........liquid yellow?

 

Yeah It's a liquid yellowHa! Are you in Oahu? I haven't seen a liq yellow with a plastidipped panel around, so if you see one that's def. me. Shaka shaka lol.

 

Mine's liquid yellow also w/ white cap. I'm here on Oahu.

 

Nice! I thought you have electric blue. Liq/yellw though in my area there is 1 with white top's. but it's a justa. Seen some r53's when I drove in waikiki/punahou area. Just 1 thing Iv'e noticed though is not a lot of guys drive mini in the Islands mostly ladies and those mini doesn't look they're having the care of an enthusiasts mini owner that's sad. Lol

 

Had my R53 for nearly 9 month now, bought it when it had a 100,000 miles, I put 4k on it.
Car is from California, first thing I did was change the oil, plugs, coil and wires , first I change oil
the plug and wires, it felt smooth after that. next day I change the plugs DAMN it felt a lot quicker.
Flush and change ALL my fluids. Already put about $1900 in after market parts into it. Next is coils
then a power pulley.

 

Nice! Yeah i did those maint. Except the coolant flush not so easy on these cars. Though I haven't felt any significant smoothness after, prolly those weren't really needed at that time but for best assurance i did. Also have a check on your tranny oil. Hows your oil consumption doing? I still have some issues on the car that needs attention though. Where are you in Oahu? Might someday drive by to see my fellow yellow!

 

My cousin works at well known place where he did all the fluid flush. First time I went there he did the power steering & coolant flush, he recommended the power steering cause he said those were a problem on the 1st gen. Mini, so he inspected it everything was fine. Next week I went he did the motor & gear oil,
I use Mobil 1 European Car Formula 0W-40 oil & Redline gear oil, forgot which one though. So I got me after market rotors/brake lines & pads and did the brakes at his place, used dot 4 brakes fluid.

Brake fluid- Hawaii import parts
Coolant- HIP
P/S fluid- HIP
Gear Oil- Napa
Motor oil- Wal-Mart

 

Welcome Mini Yellow-haa,

Just to let know there is another thread about Evolution Driving School in Hawaii on the MLK weekend Jan.17-19, 2015 at Aloha Stadium lower parking lot sponsored by Sports Car Club of America Hawaii Region. $250 each day for Phase 1 (new drivers) and Phase 2 (intermediate level, requires Phase 1 completion) and $135 for open Test and tune autocross (jan.19),

Sing up is now open online, no experience needed for Phase 1 or test and tune day, instructors from mainland will teach you car control in your MINI on a closed course track marked with cones. Street tires are fine, you will need a SNELL rated helmet, can be borrowed or use our loaners for free with exchange of your ID, first come first served.

I've done the Evo School twice and it is well worth the expense. These driving schools are held all over the country, we have brought in mainland National class instructors.

Each day there is a limit of 30 drivers so you get to drive all day long with instruction.
Let me know if you have questions, post them in the Evo School thread.

 

Minihune, Thanks for the info. Though My mini right now is sick not very well conditioned. I took her with lots of wears and I'm still slowly putting her back to what is supposed to be. Suspension is really bad got the mushrooming, fuel trim lean code that has been there quite a while just couldn't figure it out:( also there's a chattering sound coming from I suspect is the belt tensioner due to on acting that way when the a/c is turned on. So far thats all I'm concerned. Maybe after all that's have been said and done... I'll see you in the tracks! Whinee vroom! Lolz