R59 Black Toffee
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
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From: Chicago
O.K., so I get this "just for fun" concept MINI has about their product. The Openometer is meant to encourage top down motoring, but as already mentioned, there are a few more useful gauges that are missing as a result. Why aren't gauge choices one of MINI's "10 millions possible combinations?"
-Steven
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 897
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Hey Danny-
I hope this helps...when you start modding, it's important to define why you are doing a mod. My philosophy is to try and not "un-engineer" the car. Engineers spend countless hours working on systems, however, some designs are compromises. Most of the mods I've done were done to improve upon where Mini left off, and they are centered around more power, better response, more neutral handling, think FMIC/plumbing, AP, Short Shift Kit, NM springs/Koni's, Sway Bar, etc..
You state you are not interested in gaining power or cornering better, then just drive it and enjoy it. Check and see if your Mini came with the hood insulation, mine did not. That may be the essential piece to protect your paint. You have the N18 engine, and I am not sure if an Oil Catch Can is even effective. So, given your criteria, maintenance is the key. Change your oil at around the 5k-6k mark. I'm still not convinced running them to 10k on the oil is a good idea. Perhaps just cosmetic mods are where you put your money...done just because you want to. Youiffication
-Steven
I hope this helps...when you start modding, it's important to define why you are doing a mod. My philosophy is to try and not "un-engineer" the car. Engineers spend countless hours working on systems, however, some designs are compromises. Most of the mods I've done were done to improve upon where Mini left off, and they are centered around more power, better response, more neutral handling, think FMIC/plumbing, AP, Short Shift Kit, NM springs/Koni's, Sway Bar, etc..
You state you are not interested in gaining power or cornering better, then just drive it and enjoy it. Check and see if your Mini came with the hood insulation, mine did not. That may be the essential piece to protect your paint. You have the N18 engine, and I am not sure if an Oil Catch Can is even effective. So, given your criteria, maintenance is the key. Change your oil at around the 5k-6k mark. I'm still not convinced running them to 10k on the oil is a good idea. Perhaps just cosmetic mods are where you put your money...done just because you want to. Youiffication
-Steven
I am getting a Countryman S soon (production done, waiting on transport at this moment) and it has the N18 I believe. I am not really interested in performance mods and the like. Longevity is my goal, so the Oil Catch Can really piqued my interest. Why do you think it may not be relevant on the N18? They do make one and it should be shipping by July or August.
I've also seen your hood insulation recommendation. I'll have to see what the CM has when it arrives.
Any other longevity mods you think would be useful?
Keep up the good work. I am glad I got a Countryman - I needed the ground clearance for some trail heads I want to get to - old fire roads that I just don't think the other Mini's can handle. Had I gotten one of the other Mini's, I think I would have regretted it after seeing all of your pictures!
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 10
From: Des Moines, Iowa
I have a 13 S Roadster with the N18 and will be putting the BSH Oil Catch can on it, as soon as I can figure out just where to mount it. Not much extra room under the Roadster bonnet/hood. But it will get there sooner or later.
Bill
Bill
I don't ever see why spending $160+ to buy a OCC, just wait till 70-80k and get a walnut blast done to the car. I've seen my valves at 30k miles, now covered much at all. Wish I took a picture at the time! I plan to get mine done at 80k miles since I'm at 50k miles now.
Many people in the Michigan club agreed and most don't have one because it doesn't help stop it and not much reduction done from getting those valves covered with lovely carbon:-).
But I hope to see more photos of what people catch, some are pretty interesting.
Many people in the Michigan club agreed and most don't have one because it doesn't help stop it and not much reduction done from getting those valves covered with lovely carbon:-).
But I hope to see more photos of what people catch, some are pretty interesting.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
This is exactly my question. I've been reading this thread with much interest. You've done a fantastic job Steven.
I am getting a Countryman S soon (production done, waiting on transport at this moment) and it has the N18 I believe. I am not really interested in performance mods and the like. Longevity is my goal, so the Oil Catch Can really piqued my interest. Why do you think it may not be relevant on the N18? They do make one and it should be shipping by July or August.
I've also seen your hood insulation recommendation. I'll have to see what the CM has when it arrives.
Any other longevity mods you think would be useful?
Keep up the good work. I am glad I got a Countryman - I needed the ground clearance for some trail heads I want to get to - old fire roads that I just don't think the other Mini's can handle. Had I gotten one of the other Mini's, I think I would have regretted it after seeing all of your pictures!
I am getting a Countryman S soon (production done, waiting on transport at this moment) and it has the N18 I believe. I am not really interested in performance mods and the like. Longevity is my goal, so the Oil Catch Can really piqued my interest. Why do you think it may not be relevant on the N18? They do make one and it should be shipping by July or August.
I've also seen your hood insulation recommendation. I'll have to see what the CM has when it arrives.
Any other longevity mods you think would be useful?
Keep up the good work. I am glad I got a Countryman - I needed the ground clearance for some trail heads I want to get to - old fire roads that I just don't think the other Mini's can handle. Had I gotten one of the other Mini's, I think I would have regretted it after seeing all of your pictures!
Good luck with the new Countryman. I, like you, see both opinions on needed, not needed. I still feel like any oil we can keep off the valves the better...-Steven
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Here is where I put mine.
-Steven
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Exterior Changes
I made some exterior mods keeping in the vein of carbon fiber and black. To that end, I used the outmotoring beltline blackout kit and added carbon fiber door handle covers to go along with the C.F. mirrors. The beltline kit for Gen 2 cars is gloss black. I like how unified it turned out.
The door handle covers are from CarbonMini. The quality of their pieces are really impressive, and they fit perfectly.
Here's some new pics...
-Steven
The door handle covers are from CarbonMini. The quality of their pieces are really impressive, and they fit perfectly.
Here's some new pics...
-Steven
Coordinator :: Eastern Iowa MINIs
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 4
From: Decorah, IA
Damn you Steven -- I've been trying to hold off going down the carbon fiber road because it can be such a slippery slope...but you're sure making it difficult. That steering wheel, in particular, is an incredible temptation.
As with all your mods, these latest additions look superb.
As with all your mods, these latest additions look superb.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 3
From: Plainfield, IL
I made some exterior mods keeping in the vein of carbon fiber and black. To that end, I used the outmotoring beltline blackout kit and added carbon fiber door handle covers to go along with the C.F. mirrors. The beltline kit for Gen 2 cars is gloss black. I like how unified it turned out.
The door handle covers are from CarbonMini. The quality of their pieces are really impressive, and they fit perfectly.
-Steven
The door handle covers are from CarbonMini. The quality of their pieces are really impressive, and they fit perfectly.
-Steven
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Damn you Steven -- I've been trying to hold off going down the carbon fiber road because it can be such a slippery slope...but you're sure making it difficult. That steering wheel, in particular, is an incredible temptation.
As with all your mods, these latest additions look superb.
As with all your mods, these latest additions look superb.
Try to exercise restraint
-Steven
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 3
From: Plainfield, IL
I couldn't believe you wouldn't have tried that already. I understand, it probably make the hood and headlamp combination look a little flat.
5th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 897
Likes: 0
Hmmm... interesting. I still think I am going to give the black rings a go on my CM when it arrives. The headlights are blacked out (the factory lense) and the car is white, so I think there will work nicely, but who knows... may come to the same conclusion you did.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
-Steven
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Here's a couple of pics showing the black headlight rings on black. I borrowed one from Nighthawk.
I might be wrong about this, but I felt I was looking too much at the chrome inside the headlights with the black rings...hmmm.
For comparo.
-Steven
I might be wrong about this, but I felt I was looking too much at the chrome inside the headlights with the black rings...hmmm.
For comparo.
-Steven
Whatever you decide I think the Black Roadster looks pretty good either way.
I like the black headlight rings / black headlight housing with the black mirror caps ( and the black taillight rings ) and chrome with chrome for balance.
I like the black headlight rings / black headlight housing with the black mirror caps ( and the black taillight rings ) and chrome with chrome for balance.
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MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
Thanks for the nice words Gary...appreciate it
-Steven
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
I realized I didn't answer your question about the belt line. It's a little tricky, take your time with it and make sure you don't stretch the tape out too much. The reason being, I had good coverage when I applied one section around the back on a warm day. The weather changed and cooled off quite a bit and the tape shrunk, most likely as the adhesive dried and I have a tiny sliver of chrome showing in places...enough for me to order another kit and a do over
By the way, the best way I have found to remove is with a heat gun on low setting.-Steven
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 707
Likes: 5
Hi nfo,
I realized I didn't answer your question about the belt line. It's a little tricky, take your time with it and make sure you don't stretch the tape out too much. The reason being, I had good coverage when I applied one section around the back on a warm day. The weather changed and cooled off quite a bit and the tape shrunk, most likely as the adhesive dried and I have a tiny sliver of chrome showing in places...enough for me to order another kit and a do over By the way, the best way I have found to remove is with a heat gun on low setting.
-Steven
I realized I didn't answer your question about the belt line. It's a little tricky, take your time with it and make sure you don't stretch the tape out too much. The reason being, I had good coverage when I applied one section around the back on a warm day. The weather changed and cooled off quite a bit and the tape shrunk, most likely as the adhesive dried and I have a tiny sliver of chrome showing in places...enough for me to order another kit and a do over
By the way, the best way I have found to remove is with a heat gun on low setting.-Steven
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 8
From: Chicago
It's tricky though, get too aggressive and you ruin it. Bottom line, it's a bit of a tricky install. I suggest starting on the small corner piece just ahead of the door as practice.-Steven
So true...I actually missed that at first and washed the car and noticed it had begun to lift...duh It's tricky though, get too aggressive and you ruin it. Bottom line, it's a bit of a tricky install. I suggest starting on the small corner piece just ahead of the door as practice.
-Steven
It's tricky though, get too aggressive and you ruin it. Bottom line, it's a bit of a tricky install. I suggest starting on the small corner piece just ahead of the door as practice.-Steven
