Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Dorky Cheapskate Mods - Gen 2

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  #76  
Old 08-26-2013, 07:03 PM
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Then I proceeded to poke out the little burs that built up in the openings with a small flathead, and then went over each of the openings and the outside whit what is locally called a whirly-gig in the local shops. (one of these http://www.zorotools.com/g/00025925/...FdKj4Aod6U4AvA)

Then blasted it with a hose to clean out the scraps.



And Installed



As a disclaimer, I am not responsible for this going poorly if you attempt it yourself. An angle grinder can be dangerous. I was reminded of this with this mod when I wasn't paying attention as much as I should have been and bumped the edge of the spinning sanding disk with the knuckle of my right index finger. I've got two nice deep grooves cut into my finger now as a reminder. Be careful. Wear safety glasses and a good set of leather/welding gloves is a pretty good idea as well.
 

Last edited by watson 29; 08-26-2013 at 07:38 PM.
  #77  
Old 08-27-2013, 08:25 PM
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Is there any danger to leaving the hood scoop open?
 
  #78  
Old 08-28-2013, 03:44 AM
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No danger at all. You will be at a higher risk of debris finding its way in, that's all.

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring
 
  #79  
Old 08-28-2013, 04:06 AM
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Originally Posted by madmaxxed
No danger at all. You will be at a higher risk of debris finding its way in, that's all.

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I concur. You might want to check for leaves occasionally.
 
  #80  
Old 08-28-2013, 04:50 PM
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To reiterate what the two above have posted, There is no danger. With the mesh, a few more bugs may get in, and you may have a few more dusty parts on the top of your engine bay, but really that's it.

Using torque to measure coolant temps, my coolant temps take longer to rise and at the same speeds on the highway were generally about 3* celcius lower than with it sealed. I didn't think to see if there were any difference in intake temps(didnt take a before reading), but today in 75*f heat going 75mph my intake temps were 80.2*f so I have a feeling it's helping to keep that cool, plus under the hood cools quicker as hot air rises and the heat from the turbo has a very short and easy place to escape.
 
  #81  
Old 08-28-2013, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by watson 29
To reiterate what the two above have posted, There is no danger. With the mesh, a few more bugs may get in, and you may have a few more dusty parts on the top of your engine bay, but really that's it.

Using torque to measure coolant temps, my coolant temps take longer to rise and at the same speeds on the highway were generally about 3* celcius lower than with it sealed. I didn't think to see if there were any difference in intake temps(didnt take a before reading), but today in 75*f heat going 75mph my intake temps were 80.2*f so I have a feeling it's helping to keep that cool, plus under the hood cools quicker as hot air rises and the heat from the turbo has a very short and easy place to escape.
Agree completely, and I'd emphasize the part about the hood being able to cool faster AFTER driving with the heat having a way to escape.
I have the Mini Fini stainless grill insert, essentially the same thing.
 
  #82  
Old 08-28-2013, 07:20 PM
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Today I removed the small stock clutch stop bump, and I added a "BMS Short Throw Clutch Stop" :
http://burgertuning.com/clutch_stop_mini_cooper.html

Best $10 ever spent.

The left foot equivalent of a short shift kit.

Do it.
 
  #83  
Old 08-29-2013, 12:49 AM
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I've had my hood scoop grill out for over a year and I haven't noticed the engine getting any dirtier.

Dave
 
  #84  
Old 08-29-2013, 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by speedkills66
Today I removed the small stock clutch stop bump, and I added a "BMS Short Throw Clutch Stop" :
http://burgertuning.com/clutch_stop_mini_cooper.html

Best $10 ever spent.

The left foot equivalent of a short shift kit.

Do it.
I sprang for this as well and it makes a world of difference! I started with the full set of spacers at first to see what it felt like but I missed engagement sometimes if I was soft on the pedal, taking one spacer out as recommended fixed that. It has made for smoother shifting, especially if I am tired and it is also makes it easier for others driving your car.
 
  #85  
Old 08-31-2013, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by speedkills66
Today I removed the small stock clutch stop bump, and I added a "BMS Short Throw Clutch Stop" :
http://burgertuning.com/clutch_stop_mini_cooper.html

Best $10 ever spent.

The left foot equivalent of a short shift kit.

Do it.
I'm not sure how I missed this item for so long! Ordered two days ago and it arrived yesterday. It wasn't until after that I realized Burger Tuning is only a few miles from my house. JB+ is next on my list
Finding the right shifting feel has been one of my only complaints with my MINI. I've driven manual for years but this one can be a challenge sometimes. I've already added the NM short shift adapter and a Whalen so this clutch stop is a nice addition. Thanks for the recommendation.
 
  #86  
Old 08-31-2013, 08:22 AM
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Originally Posted by watson 29
Today I opened up the honeycombs in the hood scoop. Cost: $0, but I already had all the tools I needed.

So, What I did was put a sanding disk on an angle grinder and sanded down the backside of the honey comb so it was flat, applying no pressure to it except for the weight of the tool, and I kept it moving so the plastic sanded more than melted. heres what it looked like at that point.

I then proceeded working with a less gritty disk to sand down until all the openings opened up. Again, let the tool do the work and keep it moving so the plastic doesn't melt too much. If it starts to, stop and take a break for a minute. Should look like this when done.
Is there a DYI for taking this piece out of the hood? I was able to remove three screws but not sure what steps are next? Does the hood scoop just pop out with a flat head screwdriver?

EDIT: Found it.
 
  #87  
Old 09-04-2013, 02:10 PM
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TunedGP, can you post the link? I'm lazy today. Thanks.
 
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  #88  
Old 09-07-2013, 02:45 AM
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Ditto this...

Originally Posted by AdrenaliNate
I'm not sure how I missed this item for so long! Ordered two days ago and it arrived yesterday. It wasn't until after that I realized Burger Tuning is only a few miles from my house. JB+ is next on my list
Finding the right shifting feel has been one of my only complaints with my MINI. I've driven manual for years but this one can be a challenge sometimes. I've already added the NM short shift adapter and a Whalen so this clutch stop is a nice addition. Thanks for the recommendation.
I too have the short shift and Whalen. Popped the full clutch stop in and away I was driving. Two minute mod and well worth the ten bucks. No problem with missing any shifts...can't see taking away any of the shims.
 
  #89  
Old 09-08-2013, 10:23 AM
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Originally Posted by danjreed
Changed Parking lights- 194 white Canbus LEDs from E-bay. 5 elements, plug right in.. No warning light. Just a few bucks. Got 4 of them free shipping. Did the rear tag lights too. Takes all of 1 min to change the bulb.

1 st pic - Passenger side is the stock w5w bulb, drivers is LED.

2nd pic - all LED front end (minus HIDs and Fogs..).

Very happy with the light color.. Looks like a much brighter (whiter) light.
Were the front parking light 194 the same as the rear plate light?
 
  #90  
Old 09-08-2013, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by JShip

Were the front parking light 194 the same as the rear plate light?
Yes they are.
 
  #91  
Old 09-09-2013, 07:21 AM
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So the general consensus on the BMS clutch stop is to leave all shims in place? Mine just came and I am about to go pop her in, just wanted to make sure the clutch is going down far enough.
 
  #92  
Old 09-09-2013, 09:52 AM
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I installed the BMS clutch stop yesterday with all shims and it is perfect. It has made my shifting smoother since those several inches of extra travel before clutch engagement have been eliminated.
 
  #93  
Old 09-10-2013, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by danjreed
Yes they are.
Dan, changed them out, now I get the error light re; parking light. Thoughts?

Jack
 
  #94  
Old 09-10-2013, 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by JShip
Dan, changed them out, now I get the error light re; parking light. Thoughts?

Jack
Were they the Canbus error free LEDs?

Do they fire up?
 
  #95  
Old 09-10-2013, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by danjreed
Were they the Canbus error free LEDs?

Do they fire up?

Dan, I believe so, and yes they work great
Canbus Error Free Warning Wedge T10 W5W, 168, 194 5050 SMD LED Light for Audi, BMW, Benz
 

Last edited by JShip; 09-10-2013 at 06:37 PM.
  #96  
Old 09-10-2013, 07:36 PM
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Originally Posted by JShip
Dan, I believe so, and yes they work great
Canbus Error Free Warning Wedge T10 W5W, 168, 194 5050 SMD LED Light for Audi, BMW, Benz
I don't know.. unless they are not.. ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/111091600244...84.m1497.l2649

Were the ones I used without an issue.
 
  #97  
Old 09-11-2013, 03:21 PM
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Originally Posted by JShip
Dan, I believe so, and yes they work great
Canbus Error Free Warning Wedge T10 W5W, 168, 194 5050 SMD LED Light for Audi, BMW, Benz
Make sure they are all on and if not plug them in the other way. They only work plugged in in one direction.
 
  #98  
Old 09-11-2013, 08:58 PM
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I felt this belonged nowhere else but under Dorky Cheapskate Mods

Rite Light Wireless LED Puck Light from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rite-Light...Light/16627633
Dummy 12V plug from boot
Bolt, nut, lock washer

Cool features about puck light: wireless, 2-level brightness, doubles as a flashlight, bright, lens tilts and it's CHEAP!

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  #99  
Old 09-14-2013, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by danjreed
Changed Parking lights- 194 white Canbus LEDs from E-bay. 5 elements, plug right in.. No warning light. Just a few bucks. Got 4 of them free shipping. Did the rear tag lights too. Takes all of 1 min to change the bulb.

1 st pic - Passenger side is the stock w5w bulb, drivers is LED.

2nd pic - all LED front end (minus HIDs and Fogs..).

Very happy with the light color.. Looks like a much brighter (whiter) light.
You must make some wicked hard left-hand turns to get your lisence plate holder to shift over like that......
 
  #100  
Old 09-14-2013, 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by watson 29
Then I proceeded to poke out the little burs that built up in the openings with a small flathead, and then went over each of the openings and the outside whit what is locally called a whirly-gig in the local shops. (one of these http://www.zorotools.com/g/00025925/...FdKj4Aod6U4AvA)

Then blasted it with a hose to clean out the scraps.



And Installed



As a disclaimer, I am not responsible for this going poorly if you attempt it yourself. An angle grinder can be dangerous. I was reminded of this with this mod when I wasn't paying attention as much as I should have been and bumped the edge of the spinning sanding disk with the knuckle of my right index finger. I've got two nice deep grooves cut into my finger now as a reminder. Be careful. Wear safety glasses and a good set of leather/welding gloves is a pretty good idea as well.
FYI - another approach (what I did) is to use a small steel cutter bit in a dremel, and open up each hole individually. Not sure which of our two methods takes longer, but more folks may have a dremel than an angle grinder.
 
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