As far as the knocking noise that goes away when you depress the clutch it's almost certainly the throw out bearing. Mine has done it since I've had the car and upon replacing the clutch a couple of weeks ago we found the throw out bearing literally split in half in there. I'm amazed it functioned at all.

 

I went with the Megan Racing header - very nice and with the Miltek catback it isn't loud at idle or if you drive 'easy', but they call it the loud pedal for a reason. If you jump on the throttle it will growl at you.

I'm getting more pops without the cats, obviously, and if I lower the minimum pressure on the methanol injection I get a loud bang, especially if the engine is cold.

 

I swapped out the dome and license plate bulbs with LED festoons. I don't care for the license plate as it is very directional and throws odd shadows. I'll probably swap out the entire housing for LED.

Also swapped the rear hatch festoon for led, but it will flash if the headlights are on, I'm thinking a voltage leak so that lamp is getting a small amount of power. Probably try and work in a resistor to keep it from flashing.

 

You can buy different hub caps on ebay at around $20 for four.

 

Swapped out the side markers with a set from Outmotoring.

The old lights were faded and crumbled when I removed them.


I'm typically not a fan of the Union Jack stuff because it's a German car, doesn't make sense to me. These are subtle enough that I can get past it.


Lights look good though.

 

The Megan header has on catalytic converter and if you need to pass any smog tests for plates/tags you will fail. I have the Megan Racing R50 cat-back exhaust and have been very happy with it for the last 5 years.

 

We don't have smog tests in Kansas, so I am good there. There is much more popping from the exhaust, no bangs, just pops.

The other day I needed to put it in the garage, couldn't just move it that far - so I 'had' to take if for a quick drive. I'm not sure I've enjoyed a car this much that wasn't on a racetrack.

 

quote: Ptiller, I'm typically not a fan of the Union Jack stuff because it's a German car, doesn't make sense to me.end quote

It really is an English car, but some of it is made in Germany (Mini bought out by BMW) Still much of it is still built in England, so it plays homage to it's roots!

The thing I have never liked about the new Minis are the over complicated electronics that BMW and German autos are so famous for! And the problems associated with them. (maybe not all their fault)

Your car looks good!

 

That does ease my conscious since I checked that out - I surmised off the build plate it did come from Germany.

https://www.smmt.co.uk/2014/09/five-big-facts-mini/

 

Congrats on a great purchase!