How-To threads and articles

Greetings! There's a little momentum growing lately in the how-to section of the Library. I know you'd like to see it keep growing...everybody loves a strong, easy to use DIY reference section!

How do we make this happen?

I'll start a short starter list of guides we'd like to see. Please post up additional ideas and I'll add to the list. Here's a link to the How To section of the Library so you can see what we already have. So much for the easy part.

Here's the tough part. We need people to write them up. Easy for me to say, I know, but I hope the list will inspire some of us to write about what we know and about things we've done...fingers crossed.

You don't need to stick to the list. If we overlook something, that doesn't mean we don't want it, it just means we didn't think to put it on the list. Bring whatever you have! If you've posted something elsewhere, bring it here too. Don't let the existence of manuals (Bentley, Haynes, etc) hold you back because not everyone owns them and there's always something they leave out...better pictures if nothing else. Have you installed something and the instructions from the manufacturer or vendor let you down? Post up a better guide. There are all sorts of options.

Hey Sponsors, consider adding installation instructions for your products here. You might even get help from members who have suggestions for improving them.

If you have some knowledge on something particular and would like to help but don't feel like you have enough to make a full how-to, post up about that and maybe someone else will volunteer to collaborate.

I know some prefer to load DIY guides in threads here in the forum because others can comment and ask questions and we can all interact, and that's great, but after a while those get to be hard to find. There's nothing wrong with posting the same thing in both places and cross-linking them. The other excellent option is to load your guide in the Library and then start a cross-linked discussion thread in the appropriate forum. Either way, if it's in the Library it'll always be easy to find.

If you're thinking about writing something or ready to post but want advice or help with the process, send me a pm and I'll help you out. In fact, if you have photos and want to put them up in the M/A Gallery (that's our preferred option) I'll set up a dedicated section for you so you don't have to waste your personal gallery space.

Here's a very short seed list; I know we can come up with many more:

Interior:

Gauge face replacement.
Changing the gauge cluster back-lighting.
Adding/removing window tint.
Rear seat removal.
Rear seat delete kits.
Replacing front seats​

Exterior:

Vinyl application.
Joey mod.
Chrome blackout -- any chrome part(s) -- vinyl, paint, whatever.
Removing/replacing front/rear bumper aprons.​

Engine & Drivetrain:

Exhaust system replacement -- any
Pulley​

Suspension:

Springs
Dampers
Coilovers
Camber plates​

Brakes:

Pads
Rotors
Brake lines
Bleeding brakes​

ICE, Nav & Other Electronics

Audio system upgrades:

full system upgrades
head unit replacement
speaker replacement
subwoofer installation
any/all wiring/rewiring​

Misc:

How/where to jack up a MINI.
AC​

Detailing?

Please massage the little gray cells and post up!

 

Great stuff!

There are examples of some of these already in the Library. For example, there are a few new ones (new = less than a week old) on brake and spring replacement, and a couple more waiting in the wings to go in this week. Never mind that though, I know when I go looking for guides and advice I like to find more than one version from different people/perspectives since it's likely weak areas in one will be covered in another. More info = better.

I'll update the list later today. Thanks. Keep 'em coming.