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Hi all! Hopefully some of you caught the reference from the title, but if not hopefully someone will enlighten you with the title of a hilarious movie.
Anyways, I've been lurking around these forums for a few months now after acquiring my first MINI, having dealt with a couple of forum members in the market place and the usual suspects as far as vendors go (WMW/ECS/pelican/Helix). So, I figured it was time to introduce myself!
It's a 2003 MINI Cooper S and had 82k miles when I took delivery. All in all I think the overall condition is pretty good considering the age. I've done a decent amount of work just trying to catch up on maintenance, while throwing in a mod here and there while everything was apart for maintenance of course.
So far I've knocked out the following mechanically:
-SC oil
-WMW 17% pulley with appropriate belt/plugs
-Coolant flush
-OEM struts/TSW springs(ordered some Koni yellows after this mistake)
-H-Sport rear control arms
-H-Spot comp rear sway bar
-Brake fluid flush
-DIY CAI
The other misc things:
-Kenwood speakers front/back
-Various plasti dipping(Wheels are probably going back white when the weather warms up a bit)
-Blacked out belt line
-White LEDs for the interior
-Mud flaps(still iffy about them)
-Post face lift steering wheel
Of course there is much more on the way since I'm addicted to this car now... I've always wanted a classic Mini but this will subdue my craving for now I think. Great cars with a great community it seems. Anyways, enough of me yammering, onto some pictures.
Delivery day!
After some plasti dip love to get rid of the chrome and add some better contrast.(I despise chrome)
Tried a different look with the bronze.
As it sits now with the mud flaps installed.
I figured some might as so I added some alternate angles.
Nice build. Question: I've been debating on plasti dipping my wheels vs having them powder coated. They are already white and just want to clean them up and hide some of the scrapes and dings. Do you have any problems cleaning them, how long will the dip last? $50 vs $500????
Nice build. Question: I've been debating on plasti dipping my wheels vs having them powder coated. They are already white and just want to clean them up and hide some of the scrapes and dings. Do you have any problems cleaning them, how long will the dip last? $50 vs $500????
The lighter colors are tough to keep clean but if you're going to do it I would definitely recommend getting some Dip Coat spray. It's a bit pricey but if you keep the dip coated with it after you clean them it will last a lot longer. I've pressure washed them and haven't had any issues.
As for the $500 for powder coating, my whole set of wheels brand new cost less than that so I would probably just get a new set unless you're really attached to the ones you have. If that's the case then I would imagine powder coat would last for longer than you'll care to have the wheels so it might be a worthwhile investment depending on your goals.
Great cars with a great community it seems. Anyways, enough of me yammering, onto some pictures.
