You might not think too much about the steering in your MINI, except for the fact that it's quick, precise and adds to the well known "fun factor." Just like the engine and other mechanical systems in the car, it needs some regular attention to operate at it's fullest capacity and to prevent problems down the road. This article will shed some light on that system which most directly connects the driver to the road.
ECU Codes Chart - 2nd Generation MINI Look up your ECU codes for your 2nd Generation MINI to help troubleshoot issues.
The serpentine belt on your R53 MCS is a critical component in the engine. It passes power from the motor to the air conditioning compressor to keep you comfortable, the alternator to keep your electrics running and to the supercharger, to give you a boost of power. A broken belt can leave you stranded on the side of the road, so it’s a good idea not to neglect this tiny strap of rubber!
Some things just have weak links – solid axles with c-clips, any car with Lucas electrics, and the MINI Cooper’s Midlands transmission. Marginally acceptable for street use, the Midlands 5-speed gearbox simply cannot stand up to track and autocross punishment like the Cooper S Getrag 6-speed. With any motorsports use or with any power modifications, the Midlands gearbox is a ticking time bomb.
Welcome to Detroit Tuned’s how-to guide for an oil service for an R56 MINI Cooper. It’s always best to do an oil change on a hot engine as the hot oil will drain better and give you a more complete oil change. Caution must be used to prevent burns from hot fluids. Rubber gloves, work gloves, and safety glasses are all recommended for this job. Any time you are under the car, a jack stand must be used. You should never rely on just the jack to hold the weight of the car up while you are under it.
I was walking down “Vendor Alley” at the '08 MINIs On The Dragon and something caught my eye at Way Motor Works booth. It was gleaming in the beautifully crisp afternoon sunshine and beckoning my attention. I had no idea what I was seeing and I had to find out. Being the curious, mystery-solving detective I am, my feet swept me over to Waylan to discuss this intriguing looking new toy. As it turns out, Waylan had a brilliant idea; use aerospace materials to help the turbocharger in the...
It's that time of year! Here are a few techniques and advice we've all needed and used, hope it's helpful, I've culled these from a bunch of other threads & knowledge, not trying to come off as a know-it-all, but passing along knowledge from all over.
Many of you that have a performance car, such as the MINI, may have wondered how to exploit its performance in a safe environment. Because of the uncertainties of street driving, it is unsafe to drive your car anywhere near its full performance capabilities. Let’s face it, the street environment is full of hazards and we all must exercise defensive driving to avoid falling victim to them.
Motoring Alliance was invited to the “MINI Social” in New York to preview the new GP3 JCW Concepts car, Classic Mini Electric concept, MINI Electric Prototype and spend time with the MINI John Cooper Works Racing team operated by LAP Motorsports.
The previous article in this series introduced you to the track environment and gave you an idea of what it will be like to attend a track day. Now it’s time to actually do it and this article will explore further what to expect. NOTE: Not Every HPDE is run as described below, you will see regional and club differences.
Coil-over suspension systems have a well-deserved stereotype of being the rich-man’s suspension upgrade. They offer lots of adjustability [depending on the model you choose], supercar performance and show-car looks. V-Maxx enters this rare air with a $649 price point, which is about the same as a damper rebuild service for high-end systems. Their low price point brings coil-over aesthetics and performance to the real world where most car enthusiasts can realistically slot them in their short...
Non-linear systems usually have unpredictable performance, so I wanted linear springs. So I messaged Scott at TSW asking when I could get a set for SK8BRD. He replies that they just got their final prototypes and that they are looking for a guinea pig; I supply the car, they supply the springs, and they do the install. If I like them I keep them. We set up to meet at TSW World Headquarters on a Saturday. They’ll need four hours since they need to do some testing and measurements. Prediction...