What did I do this week with my ride?
Fell in love with it again. First real mod was to put KONI FSDs in with Eibach Pro Springs and despite some warnings on other threads, the result is fantastic! I spoke with the U.S. KONI people and the 1" or so lowering isn't enough to crimp the FSD's beneficial effect on the car so "go ahead" and make the switch. The wheels fit correctly in the wheel wells, no bottoming out due to better, stronger springs, the handling is so much better and the lack of nasty bumps - well, that is why you read this post, right? So much more civilized AND sportier handling. I thought I was going to get rid of the car and buy something like the BMW M235i instead (I will in a few years anyhow ) but for now I am really happy to fall in love with my MINI again. I expect I will do the 19mm rear sway bar at some point, but for now I am all smiles.

 

17% pulley, new belt tensioner, spark plugs, and an oil change today. Long day of work but oh so worth it, goes like hell.

 

Stock plugs at 70k. Ouch. Definitely changing these more often. Previous owner had the car sit without running for over a year, probably had something to do with it.

 

Survived the first tornado touch down 20 min from me and Barnaby. Baseball sized hail was expected but no damage to the car or loved ones, Thank God! Times like these I really miss the garage!

 

Got new Brembo brakes all around! Stopping is so much crisper now! Next is new front tires and from camber plates, then all good for awhile...hopefully!!

 

Dipped my rims!

 

Glad to hear everyone is ok!!

 

I finally fixed a mysterious (to me) problem with my a/c. With summer coming on, this was important. For a year or so, when I got in the car and started it up, the a/c wouldn't come on right away. Sometimes I would have driven five miles or more before it would suddenly kick on. I had the clutch and compressor checked out by a professional but, of course, everything worked great when it was there so I got no answer to the problem.

Finally, as I zoomed around the 'net, I happened upon a BMW site where guys were complaining about the interior blower motor relay being bad on a bunch of Beemers. The problem they described sounded like what was happening to me. Since I had a spare relay that I had picked up awhile back, I changed out the blower motor relay (the one in the panel by your left foot). Presto! The a/c works like it was meant to work!

I have read other owner's laments about this same issue so I wanted to post here and let them know what was going on. Hopefully, we'll all have a cool and comfortable drive this summer!

 

Those look awesome! I am going to go the vintage gold route with the wheels and mirror caps once these storms die down!

 

Thank you! Its bee a rough week if we can make it through the worse threats today of grapefruit size hail ill be ok I think

 

I'm going to try my hand at Plasti dipping some things white over the next few days. Mostly the Chrome gas cap, door handles, and hood scoop...may do the headlight rings, idk yet. Opinions? Anyone done this on this color?

 

Added 15% pulley, belt, plugs and tensioner strap. Craven Speed dipstick.

 

Got my wife's R53 in for a new power steering pump and fan under the recall.

 

Well, I said I was going to and I did! Got the Plasti-dip done today! I love it!

 

It was a PM day here. As my Mini just passed 75K, I treated her to a transmission fluid change, new spark plugs, an alignment (hoping pot hole season is over) and an oil change. Almost had to argue with my motoring advisor about the transmission fluid: "but we don't recommend it until at least 100k" - "am I doing any harm by doing it early?" "well, no, but we don't recommend it until at least 100K"... I literally had to tell them to take my money...

 

Just installed cross drilled rotors(i like the look even though there pointless) and painted my calipers.

 

Thats awesome.

3 thumbs up

 

New spark plugs

 

did the water tube that connects the thermostat to water pump. not a fun job i tell you

 

Scheduled my window tint and detail for my birthday! Can't wait!

 

I realized that I can fit a small drumset in Rupert

 

Well I got to install the Alta Recirculator upgrade spring and an atmospheric spacer to relieve boost pressure. My r56 is coming along pretty good. I also got a sweet aem ram air intake coming and tints next Saturday. Now time to get the girl some stuff hahahahha

 

Finally finished the rebuild, and then put a whole three miles on it!

 

Glad to hear you are back on the road!

What is that red alta compartment right in front of the picture?

 

Early model oil catch can, don't know if they are still being made.

Nik