Did some things to the Mini today
 

Got a little done on the car today. Mostly fixing little things that needed to be done right away:
-new hood shocks so I don't have to wear a safety helmet to check the oil
-new cabin air filter
-installed the rear bumper cover so my dog won't scratch up the paint while he hauls his big butt into the back.
-tried to replace the missing chrome cover for the PS headlight washer. Now I get to replace the headlight washer pump because the retaining clips broke. :(

Also did a little personalization. I added the red stripes to the chrome beltline trim, and added red accent stripes to the factory black stripes. When I planned this, I didn't realize the chrome beltline continued under the windshield and back glass. I'm going to wait to see what I think in a few days. I might change that to black, but leave the red on the sides.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...da3b456ff6.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...e35abaf315.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a68c869a73.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...e92a7d377a.jpg

where did you get that bumper cover protector? That is a great idea. Mine was pretty scuffed up in that area when I bought it and something like that would cover it up and prevent it from getting worse.

https://www.outmotoring.com/heavy-du...hed-alloy.html

I've put something similar to this on just about every hatchback we've ever owned, and they're well worth it. I have a 100#+ Malamute that cannot grasp the concept of jumping into the car. He climbs like a ladder. A cover like this has saved the paint on my wife's Outback.

Thanks! And a dog that size in the back of the mini would be something I think many would like to see!

Did a little motoring yesterday; nothing too major.

Yogi loves the Mini. It's a little more intimate than the F250 Crew Cab he was used to riding in. He gets to look out the windows without standing up.

He's part of the reason I ended up with a Mini--had to have a hatch. He loves riding!
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...97352dc6a5.jpg

Update
 

I took the red belt line stripes off the front and rear, but left them on the sides. It was too busy with the red accents on the hood and hatch stripes with the belt line red as well.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...a4224c142e.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...8698fbb0cd.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.nor...3423151ca9.jpg

Car goes in a week from Monday for install of Valeo clutch kit, rear main, SC service, control arm bushings... All the stuff that it makes sense to do while in service mode. I found what I think is going to be a good indie shop, with their senior mechanic being the owner of a heavily modded 02 R53. I farmed this out because I don't have the time to diy and don't need to feed the mod bug any more than I already have. Paying for labor helped dampen the "while I'm at it" things-like underdrive pulleys, bigger injectors, wide and setup so I can start data logging for a tune...

I've got new struts and camber plates sitting on the shelf for when I get a few hours.

I ordered the beltline stripe from Outmotoring.com https://www.outmotoring.com/mini-cooper/out-motoring-redline-beltline-kit-gen1-hatchback-convertible-2002-2003-2004-2005-2006-2007-2008-exterior-pinstriping.html

I used the blackout kit to do the beltline front and rear. For the pinstripe kit, I ordered 3M 70304 Scotchcal Striping Tape, 1/4", Red, from AutoPartsandStuff.com, although you can get it from many sources with that p/n. Color is matched to the beltline kit.

Looks very clean

+1 on Cool for the Red Trim Belt Line

Motor On!

Lots of work done this week!

OK, so I farmed it out. Trying to be wise with my time, and not turn this car into my project car (much). I knew when I bought it that it needed a new rear main seal and clutch, and a lot of other little things. Found a good indie shop here in Tacoma, where both the owner and one of the other mechanics had owned and modded 1st gen MINIs. When I talked to them about the work, they both said it was their preference to pull the motor and transmission assembly as a unit. I've seen folks do the clutch job both ways, and I figured since it was a new-to-me car, I'd like to get a better look at everything anyway, so "go for it." Here's the list:

• New Valeo single mass clutch kit
• clutch slave cylinder replace
• Rear main seal
• Transmission input shaft seal
• new Redline MTF
• Oil pan gasket (local dealer did it in September, then told me in DEC during PPI that it was bad--and it was. How much you want to bet they won't reimburse anything for their unsat repair?)
• PS Hose (only one was leaking)
• Powerflex control arm bushings
• SC service
• cam position sensor o-ring
• water pump
• radiator hoses
• cooling fan resistor upgrade
• PS pump fan cleaned and operational (it was caked with dirt and fluid--now clean, shiny, and running fine)

Bottom line: I've got an 80k mile car, with everything under the hood in excellent working order, clean and dry, new clutch (great improvement over the stock one that was in there!).

Next on the list:

• install the new Bilstein struts and IE fixed camber plates (sitting on the shelf--that's an easy weekend project).
• once the weather breaks, a serious detailing-paint chips touched up on hood, clay bar, the works
• while the car was in the shop on the lift, I noticed some rust on the stock exhaust resonator, so that might just need to be removed--one ball mod for rust removal isn't really a mod, it's maintenance, right? :D
• The belt and pulley looked ok, but for preventative maintenance purposes, they will probably need replacement by Father's Day--17% pulley, injectors, and new plugs and plug wires (again, all preventative maintenance)

Ready for some warm, dry weather to go find the twisties.

HINT: if you replace the 17% pulley, injectors, and new plugs ... I recommend you upgrade to use the JCW performance injectors and Plugs, then have your local shop flash your ECM with the JCW performance load ... if you are looking for a few extra giggles.

Looking good.

Motor On!