Friday, May 16th, 2014 was when I attached my plates and drive home in my 2006 Mini Cooper. With a VERY big smile on my face. I'm the 3rd owner. Previous owner took meticulous care of it, every one of it's 84,000 km were treated with love. Parked in the garage, it's name came to me: EE-EE. Kind of like saying Mini but without the consonants. I look forward to personalizing it bit. Going to be doing a lot of reading on the boards. So far I've learned that putting on a CAI would be waste of money. I also concur that the run flat tires SUCK. And, the stock Boost radio/speakers SUCK. Even at bone stock, it wants to go eagerly down the road. The peak torque at 4500 RPM is intoxicating. A guy I used to work with opened a tuning shop, I think I might be spending a bit more time with him! Meanwhile, EE-EE is getting me to work earlier than expected!
Welcome aboard. You just joined the best and the most friendly MINI forum on the web. Post up some more pics of your car, and post up in the garage. With the mileage you have on your car, you may want to look into a new set of control arm bushings. The factory bushings have a short life. If you're seeing any pulling on hard throttle or on lifting off the throttle, an upgrade to Powerflex bushings will be astounding.
Thanks for the tip - I was actually thinking about doing something along those lines as well as lowering springs. Thoughts? Will be taking more pics the next time EE-EE needs a bath.
I think that's a fine idea. Way Motorworks sells a package deal with the Powerflex bushings and new MINI ball joints. While it's apart, it's not a bad idea to freshen them up also.
Pics uploaded to the gallery, after a wash, and detail. One thing I noticed when I was rubbing down the body panels: small dots of what looks like the start of rust. Or maybe dust from the brakes? Anybody else notice this on theirs?
Drove both 1st and 2nd gens before deciding on this one. Although the 2nd gen is a nice ride, it doesn't seem to have the charm of the 1st gen.
I wonder how much shipping would be to Canada, and broker fees............. Or maybe I can find a dealer up here that sells them........ What I'm going to do first are the filers - cabin and engine, drive belt, and plugs. Will have the guys put it up and look at the rest of the suspension too. With 84k, I bet the shocks need replacing. If that's the case, when I have some $ I will do the bushings, ball joins, shocks, and lowering springs.
A local garage that specializes in Mini maintenance and repair quote me $875 to do the control arms and bushings. Does that sound right?
What would be more realistic? Parts and labour included for new control arms and bushings, in Canadian dollars.