Sat down to get some work done, but I would rather be at the Dragon! So how are you getting ready for the Dragon?
Just trying to be reaalllyyyy patient. :wink: My MINI is pretty much ready to go, save for the wash & wax the weekend before I depart. Mentally, I'm already there: driving the roads in my head & eagerly awaiting the first adult beverages with many friends! :beer:
Just putting on Summer rims and tires and doing the basic maintenance. Oil Filter Belt Plugs Trans fluid change Brake Fluid flush and ABS bleed Alignment Buy beer and put on loud exhaust that the wife hates.
In preparation for this year's dragon I had the following installed/performed: Week of March 9 at Helix Greene Performance BC Racing Coilovers with Swift Springs RMW Rear Control Arms 215/45R-17 Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec New RMW Big Brake Kit OS Giken Clutch OS Giken LSD DeatschWerks Fuel Pump Fuel Filter Vibra-Technics Engine Mount March 16 Alignment Scheduled for April 4 at Helix New RMW Cam Vi-Pec I-Series Dyno Tune by Jan Scheduled for April 25 Oil/filter Change Pack and buy beer
clay/polish/wax both Minis the week before leaving. change oil/filter in both. rotate the Super Sports front-to-back on the R56 JCW. and most importantly, fast a week before leaving to ensure I have plenty of room for donuts and Krystal burgers (those of you not from the South have no idea what you have been missing.....White Castle is NOT, I repeat, NOT Krystal....not even close :biggrin5: ) I must say my list is not nearly as interesting as Dave O's and Whales.....when these new car warranties of ours are done, look out.........
Figuring out how much stuff we can jam in my old Tacoma and various cars. Is this the year we do a clutch at the Dragon?
I'm sitting on pins and needles. I have my registration and a motel room booked for the Dragon. Problem is, I don't have my mini yet. I won't get it until the middle of April. Once I get it, I need to change the oil, the belt, flush the brake fluid and refill, flush the cooling system and refill, and have a trailer hitch installed. Then I have to get the wife's mobility scooter trailer road ready (check the wheel bearings and lighting). Maybe tires... I am buying a 2005 R52 S and most of the stuff I am going to do I consider normal maintenance when buying a used car. I am a firm believer in preventative maintenance. As this is my first MINI, I will welcome any suggestions anyone might have.
When you change the belt if you can change the tensioner if you do not know the last time it was done. Just don't buy the part at the dealership. Here is a link for the same part the dealers sells at a 3rd the cost. Amazon.com: ACDelco 38404 Professional Automatic Belt Tensioner Assembly with Spring and Hydraulic Damper: Automotive If you can not do the job many of the vendors like Helix or Detroit Tuned will do it for you at Fontana.
OOPS, forgot to ask a question. I come from traveling long distances in air-cooled VW's and won't leave home without a spare fan belt, a 10mme and 13mm wrench, rotor, distributor cap, and a Bentley manual. What spares do you experienced travelers carry in your mini? As I'm a noob and don't want to hi-jack a thread, if this would be a subject for a new thread, please let me know.
Some people bring a spare tire but not me. As for tools and parts you do not really need to bring anything all because the vendors have all the tools and parts you could need.
plug kit, tire slime, compressor,(no spare) serpentine belt and some basic tools, Bentley; just in case something happens between here and there other than that, if its something I can't fix, there is someone at the Dragon who can...Helix, DT, Way, and the rest, those boys put in some hours up there! They've saved more than one person's trip I guarantee
Heh, seriously? Years past, would have been wash / polish / wax / etc. This year is replace engine, replace transmission, replace ECU, replace BC1, replace ignition switch, replace instruments, replace dash, replace doors, get a tune, maybe pull a few dents...
I just keep replacing and ordering "stuff" I am so excited I think my wife is going to kill me if i mention it again!. Last time I did the Dragon it was on a Honda Valkyrie so this should be a different experience. This is the first real vacation out of town in several years. Al