You are so right Andy! More time for cleaning wheels nowadays!

Regards,
Red

 

speaking of cleaning wheels, I once again have no intention on keeping the stock pads on the car longer than the trip it takes to get home from the dealership!

This time I'm going for a more durable and track-worth pad, the Ferodo 2500's.
White wheels look awesome when they're clean (Rachel has NO idea what I'm talking about, lol).

 

Sorry to sound repetitive Red, but Barry just yanked another walk-off home run against the braves. Here's to baseball and clean wheels.

Ryan, are the ferodo's easy on the brake dust?

Andy

 

they're easier on dust than stock, but then again, anything is!
check out the ensuing battle between opinions: here

<--not a baseball guy, but a bowling dude

 

>>White wheels look awesome when they're clean (Rachel has NO idea what I'm talking about, lol).



Sir, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about!

I did get the brake pads yesterday and will install them at the track event registration Sunday. Also learning to bleed my brakes at the same time. It should be a fun learning experience and I can't wait to feel the difference on the track. I've been watching videos of Watkins Glen to get used to the layout and elevation changes. There's one part of the track that has the Mini's name all over it. A 5 hour drive to get there, but hopefully we'll be able to hop in a caravan on the way there. I hear there's going to be another mini there! Woohoo!

One week left at my job before I'm unemployed

 

The wheels should be waxed as soon as you bring it home. That would be my advice, as Ryan pointed out long ago, it's much easier to keep clean.

I do have a couple of dots (I think it is the brake adhesive) on the wheels that I do not want to clean too agressively. Suggestions?

Regards,
Red

 

>>The wheels should be waxed as soon as you bring it home. That would be my advice, as Ryan pointed out long ago, it's much easier to keep clean.
>>
>>I do have a couple of dots (I think it is the brake adhesive) on the wheels that I do not want to clean too agressively. Suggestions?
>>

Red, what're you currently using to try to clean your wheels? As an addition to your suggestion for waxing the wheels, it also helps to re-wax them every few times you wash the car, if you've got the time, so they're continue to be so niiiice to clean.

Got back late last night from Watkins Glen. I made some HUGE improvments in my driving skills and can't wait to learn more. Probably not until next spring, but with 8300 miles on the car, I think it's time to put it away for a while

Ryan, the pads are AWESOME. Not as pretty as the EBC's, but, well... running the car hot for an hour at a time (I was sharing it with my boyfriend and had back-to-back run sessions with him), there was absolutely NO fade. At least part of that was the improved brake fluid, but the setup was confident and secure - got rid of the 'grab' of the stock pads and replaced it with a nice linear feel in the pedal that felt just right both around town and at not-road-legal speeds.

And you cannot BELIEVE how many bugs you can kill at those speeds either. Well.. maybe *some* other people here would...

Content and waiting for the next track event...
~Rachel

 

>>
>>Got back late last night from Watkins Glen. I made some HUGE improvments in my driving skills and can't wait to learn more. Probably not until next spring, but with 8300 miles on the car, I think it's time to put it away for a while :smile:

So far I have added:
-->stripes, bumper plugs, AUX&ipod, tint, GBO, euro shelf (with aux)

My wish list:
-->pulley, intake and ECU [not anytime soon although our "education first" governor and legislature managed a 1.2% raise for teachers this year (after increasing our insurance contribution) WOO HOO]

Problems?
windshield, no--stumble, mild or not at all--brake dust, well, duh!(I know...change the pads)

The toy MINI collection grew to 6 today, found a 1/18 B/W at sams...very nice attention to detail. I'm also thinking about ordering this one i-racer MINI Cooper

BIG Texas MINI rally this weekend in the Hill Country, hope to post pics Mon.

later y'all

 

>>
>>8300 miles :smile:
>>
>>So far I have added:
>> -->stripes, bumper plugs, AUX&ipod, tint, GBO, euro shelf (with aux)
>>

I've GOT to get an aux cable for the ipod one of these days....

>>My wish list:
>>-->pulley, intake and ECU [not anytime soon although our "education first" governor and legislature managed a 1.2% raise for teachers this year (after increasing our insurance contribution) WOO HOO]
>>

Good for your governor! Ours here in Massachusetts just cut a LOT of school funding. I feel terrible for the schools out there that just can't educate kids the way that they should be because of someone being more concerned with his political career than the lives of the children.

Provided I manage to get a job, I'm in for the pulley and intake install here in October or November. I'm waiting on any ecu changes to see what's out in a year.

>>Problems?
>>windshield, no--stumble, mild or not at all--brake dust, well, duh!(I know...change the pads)
>>

I know how to change pads now! I can't believe I always thought it was harder than that. Duh! Brake bleeding was a snap, too.

 

News Flash: Red hits 3,000 miles!

OK. Stop laughing. All but 400 miles were put on going no particular place at all, and no errands. We have an Ford sedan for parking lots! Pure Motoring!

And as far as cleaning the wheels, I am using Meguiers (sp?) car wash with a tapered brsitle brush. It's just as good as the "wheel cleaners", and I figure it's less harsh.

But about those black dots. How aggresive should I go w/o messing up the clearcoat?

Thanks.

Regards,
Red

 

Hey Red,

Don't know nothin' 'bout no black dots, but I have been using Simple Green on the wheels and it rocks!!!!

Very mild, biodegradable and not expensive. I discovered it "by accident"...we use it to clean around the house and it was left on the dryer in the garage. I gave it a try and now I'm hooked. I also use a soft bristle brush and worn out cotton kitchen aprons. WOW !

Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...

It's so easy and so awesome once done. Its a great excuse to put in the parcel shelf too. You don't even have to pull the head unit, once the knee bolster is out you can reach in and plug the cable in super-easy.

Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...

 

We had significant job cuts here too...the net result of the "raise" and the increased insurance costs was a pay cut for most teachers...no pulley for me anytime soon...

Good luck with the job search Rachel, we're all pulling for you!!!

 

>>Hey Red,
>>
>>Don't know nothin' 'bout no black dots, but I have been using Simple Green on the wheels and it rocks!!!!
>>
>>Very mild, biodegradable and not expensive. I discovered it "by accident"...we use it to clean around the house and it was left on the dryer in the garage. I gave it a try and now I'm hooked. I also use a soft bristle brush and worn out cotton kitchen aprons. WOW !

The Simple Green sounds good. I am a pretty simple guy, so I should figure it out.

I think the black dots are the adhesive in the brake pads. Where is Ryan when you need him?

Regards,
Red

 

Chef, What does the simple green do to your wax? I like to wax my wheels. Does the green stuff strip wax?

Andy

 

[yo, I'm still here :smile: ]
black dots on your wheels? sounds like tar to me! a gentle bug/tar remover, like Wizards Bug Release would do the job. Otherwise, use your car shampoo to clean your wheels, it won't harm your wheel wax, and is safe, effective, and gentle.


Update for MM2: my build date is an agonizing October 10th, which means an early November delivery, GAAAAA! I'm going through severe MINI-withdrawls

MINI-less,
Ryan

 

>>Chef, What does the simple green do to your wax? I like to wax my wheels. Does the green stuff strip wax?
>>
>>Andy

I'm a wheel waxer too...as far as I can tell it leaves the wax in good shape! When I'm washing the whole car I use my regular car wash solution, but for those in betweener wheel touch ups its Simple Green for me!

_________________
03 MCS-CR/B>>>>Now motoring through a twistie near you<<<<<< CWFAC 03 Rocks!

 

>>[yo, I'm still here :smile: ]
>>black dots on your wheels? sounds like tar to me! a gentle bug/tar remover, like Wizards Bug Release would do the job. Otherwise, use your car shampoo to clean your wheels, it won't harm your wheel wax, and is safe, effective, and gentle.
>>
>>
>>Update for MM2: my build date is an agonizing October 10th, which means an early November delivery, GAAAAA! I'm going through severe MINI-withdrawls
>>
>>MINI-less,
>>Ryan

That has to be really tough after having one for a while! Are you going to drive it "stock" for a couple of weeks, or are you going to make changes right away? You might have said, but I forgot!

What do you think of the "new" Moss "two story" storage unit for between the downtubes? Top shelf has to be very small, maybe enough for a couple of jewel cased CD's. But since I have the MINI, put them all in soft cases. Can't have hard plastic flying about the cabin!

Regards,
Red

 

>>>>
>>Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...
>>
>>It's so easy and so awesome once done. Its a great excuse to put in the parcel shelf too. You don't even have to pull the head unit, once the knee bolster is out you can reach in and plug the cable in super-easy.
>>
>>Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...Do it...

I'm planning on it! The person on mini2 who was making them lives not so very far from me and I was going to get it from him... it's just a matter of getting out and meeting with him.

happy holiday, all...

 

hi.

Dudes, you really should check out the Whalen shift ****. Oh my what a difference!

 

Rachel, gaaa! Pics!
Although I'm glad you like it, the Whalen **** isn't my cup of green tea. I prefer lightweight *****; I don't like making shift effort any less than crowbar-esque

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Howdy y'all!

Wanted to share a quick pic from our Labor Day Hill Country MINI Rendezvous. Altogether we had 117 beautiful MINIs in attendance. Small cars...BIG fun...

_________________
03 MCS-CR/B>>>>Now motoring through a twistie near you<<<<<< CWFAC 03 Rocks!

 

>>Rachel, gaaa! Pics! :evil:

 

You two do realize that you sound like a couple old chefs talking about knives right?

Flexible!!!!
NO, stiff!!!
Heavy!!!
NO, light!!!

Have a great weekend everyone, and hooray for "fall" it actually dipped below 80 today in Austin (our version of changing seasons )

 

Thanks for sharing that shot of the Pit! Fantastic. Going to save that for wallpaper!

It's 64 degrees on LI. Feels real nice. Time to go leaf peeping soon.

As far as the MINI goes, I like it more every time I drive it. Can't say the same for any other car I have had recently!

Regards,
Red

 

>>
>>It's 64 degrees on LI. Feels real nice. Time to go leaf peeping soon.
>>



And Red, please tell me that "leaf peeping involves changing colors...not changing clothes...

sick mind and all...
cheffie

_________________
03 MCS-CR/B>>>>Now motoring through a twistie near you<<<<<< CWFAC 03 Rocks!