Hello all,

I'm pretty new here, as I bought my 2006 JCW in November... When I bought it, I really enjoyed how it drove, but thought it needed a little exterior attention. In the past few months, I've been pretty busy!

How he looked when I picked him up..
New MINI Cooper S JCW... "Nigel" by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

First up, some lighter wheels for winter, stubby antenna and no more stripes!
Nigel after his first detail by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr
Wheels are 16x7 OZ Supperleggera with Pirelli Sottozero tires

While winter gave us a pounding here in Fort Collins, I took care of a few maintenance items that were somewhat pressing:
-Thermostat housing
-Coolant bottle
-Coolant flush
-Passenger's side motor mount
-Torque arm mount
-New serpentine belt
-New serpentine belt tensioner
-Power steering line + worm clamp

Annnnnd while I was in there, a few mods:
-Cravenspeed STDs
-DICE Mediabridge
-Autometer Boost Gauge
-2014 Nav discs

After winter finally started to subside, i got a few small dings removed and started to de-chromify.. And buy more light wheels! R85s are long gone.
my MINI by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

my MINI by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

I'm noticing that the front end is a bit wandery and bumps are pretty harsh, so I've ordered parts for a partial front suspension refresh:
-Inner ball joints
-Outer ball joints
-P-flex control arm bushings
-Sway bar bushings

Last bit of parts will be on their way at the week's end, so after that lot is installed, I can start having fun with it again.. Next up:
-New PSSs (probably going 205s this time, as the 215s rub with people in the back on full droop and I want to lower it eventually)
-Alignment
-Roof rack?
-Brakes are original (55k miles) so i might put a set on the shelf
-New fender trim in 3/4 corners (scrapes from PO)
-F/R bumper paint (considering Aero bumper or GP bumper)

I think the only thing I'm waffling on is suspension.. I really want to see how the car rides after I repair the rubber in the suspension. Hoping that will make things slightly more tolerable. Right now, the car really crashes over bumps and I am positive I'm due for the control arm bushings (i've done the wheel kick test and actually frightened myself, they move more than a little). Doing away with the run flats was the first step and I'm glad those are gone. Going to be looking for a coilover that ideally has progressive springs or pretty soft linear springs. I don't drive this car every day (most days) right now, but starting in 2015 it will bear the brunt of a 30-40 mile per day round trip commute through Dayton Ohio (my next job in the USAF) so I'd like to retain some compliance.

Anyhow, I need to take more photos! I'm loving this car so far and it's the right amount of fast, practical and fun for what I need. My weekend warrior is not practical at all, so this is a nice balance

for reference, my weekend warrior:
my m coupe by colbyscottgregory, on Flickr

Really enjoying this site so far, thanks for all the know how!

 

Great set of changes so far, looking good.

Also:

- Great name for your MINI!

- That BMW yellow (Dakar Yellow, IIRC...my K1200RS motorcycle was that shade) is an absolute favorite!

Happy motoring to you!

 

Awesome, just made a progress report of my dark silver r53. Looks good, makes me wanna remove my beat up stripes.
Also awesome m coupe, love those clown shoe body's, the r53 is almost a similar body shape.

 

Here's some boredom therapy for you. Get som 3M matte black vinyl, heat gun & lotsa patience.

 

oooh I like it! Might have to give that a go.

 

It's hobo, fun & therapeutic.:-) Secret: Heat, Stretch, Repeat.

 

You can also use PlastiDip for some blackout treatments. I used it on a number of parts and it wintered here in Northern Maine very well!

 

I stayed away from dip on handles. They should be ok on non-contact areas. Beauty of both vinyl & dip is reversibility.

 

I've been purchasing second components for all the blacked out pieces I've been doing... I have 2 grilles (the original chrome one and my OE Aero) and 2 sets of mirror caps. I will probably do a second set of door handles and a second gas cap if it comes to that. I doubt it will, because I think the car looks great as is. I'd rather put the money I have to spend on cars towards performance and maintenance.

 

Coilovers!

 

i've been doing this part lately and was able to make a carbon fiber overlay for our gas cap (r53)



still can't perfect the door handle

:(

will be doing the side scuttles and hood scoop design this week

 

but first, bushings and ball joints everywhere!

 

Do them all in 1 take. You won't regret it.

 

Upper strut mounts too...that can make the front wander if bad enough

 

Well, camber plates should be thrown in w/ the coilovers.

 

Oh gotcha...yup...should be all good. Welcome to the world of rebuilding your car ... 1 component at a time. Ha...just spent Friday night doing my AC clutch coil...

 

Kahn, where were you able to source the AC clutch? Rockauto used to stock em but it's been out for a while now. Good thing Denso came up w/ direct fit replacement compressors aside from OE Delphi.

Sorry for the hijack.

 

eBay I believe the sellers name was thorslab...fast service. Part works so...I can't complain

 

Thanks, Kahn. That's among the parts I wanna keep handy. Do you still have the link?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Clutch-Coil-fits-Mini-Cooper-2001-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-some-2007-/261258532747?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACooper&hash=item3cd438d78b&vxp=mtr
There ya go...

 

Much thanks, Kahn.
Apologies to the captain for the hijack.

 

Did somebody say Nigel?

 

lol, excellent.

 

I hope Nigel will be raised to grow up like 1 of these:

 

Those are all inspirations for what I want my car to eventually be. Thanks for the photos.