Most liked posts in thread: Pre-MOTD MINI Prep Checklist

my clear coat on my powder coating rims was peeling. The installing stepped up to the plate and paid to have the tires taken apart, stripped down to bare metal, re-powder coated and have the tires remounted and balanced. Going in for an alignment today and hitting the road tomorrow morning. Fontana here we come!!!!

 

Oh ok you are talking about prepping your car for the Dragon. (gotcha)

I was going to say the Dragon is like Vegas, what happens at the Dragon stays at the Dragon. * unless you crash then it on YouTube FOREVER. :ihih::lol:

 

F..k the beer.
Pack lasagna!

 

we should add put car back together to the list... :/

 

Yeah, about half way through I began wondering if I had bitten off more than I could chew...of course, looking at the list most all of the goodies are for go rather than just for show...but that's the way I prefer things, nothing to draw attention to additional horsepower.
Of course the leather seats don't add much to the go aspect, but sitting in them should make me feel like I'm going faster ;-)

 

With the winter we've had here, I'm starting with Brill-o and working my way to clay...

 

Pack Beer.......:beer

 

Done: 1) H-Sport Adjustable Rear Lower control arms
Done: 2) Power Grid Adjustable End Links (front and rear)
Done: 3) Revalved BC coilovers (with Swift Spring upgrade)
Done: 4) Bridgestone Potenza S04 Pole Positions (giving them a try this year, wasn't impressed with the Michelin Pilot Super Sports)
Done: 5) Voltage Pedal set
Done: Wrapped and installed headlight trim rings myself.





Next weekend: 6) Rotors and Pads (front and rear)

 

After nearly 2 months of evenings and weekends getting my 2004 R53 ready for MOTD, I finally finished up all the mods and maintenance items over the weekend…Felt good to take the car off the jackstands, re-connect the battery, and get ready to fire it up.

Unfortunately upon starting up the car for the first time in 8 weeks I had an immediate running problem. Symptom was engine in "limp mode" (max 2000 rpm with full pedal), received the following codes: P0136, P0123, P0222, P1229. What a disappointment!....But all turned out OK in the end...After troubleshooting this problem for several days, I stumbled across the fix which was an easy one and somewhat embarrassing...I had failed to reattach the electrical connection to the Throttle Body....one snap of the connector, a turn of the key, and the Mini now purrs like a kitten (or rather growls with the new exhaust).

So here's the list of modifications/maintenance I have done to prepare for this year's MOTD...the work has certainly revived the old gal and "perked her up" quite a bit:
-New Vibra-Technics engine & trans mounts all around.
-JCW CAI.
-Install official Mini fog light kit.
-Swapped out to excellent used JCW head, along with installation of ARP head studs, new colder plugs, and other related parts.
-New JCW 380cc injectors.
-Supercharger oil service, including replacing all seals, gaskets, etc related.
-Installed Imperial S/C Re-Charger kit for future supercharger maintenance.
-Milltek header, catback exhaust, and two new O2 sensors.
-WMW 17% supercharger pulley, along with belt, idler pulley, tensioner, tensioner stop, and related items.
-ATI Crank dampener pulley.
-Knock sensor (fixing code pulled a few months ago).
-Reverse light switch (fixing non-functioning back-up light).
-New front brake pads.
-Replaced two leaking power steering lines.
-Installed RMW coolant tank.
-New fluids all around (coolant, power steering, brake fluid, oil and filter)
-Replaced several misc gaskets around engine (oil filter housing, crank position sensor seal, oil dipstick o-ring, etc).
-New air intake hose from CAI to throttle body.
-Installed excellent used leather interior pulled from car at 25k.
-New leather Redline shift & brake lever boots.

Now that all of this is done I think I'm ready for a break from working on the car and am ready to enjoy driving for a while!

Looking forward to seeing all of you at the Dragon!

Best Regards,
Cliff

 

I see your clay and I raise you a garage.

My car is always in a garage and I only have to clay it twice a year. :ihih::lol:

 

While you are at it, I think you should do the same for your former car.... You know - Mine!! :cornut:

 

Note to self...composure, Contain. Too much excitement, bad. Wait for it, wait for it........:crazy::ihih::lol::eek6::devil:

 

Don't bother bringing cigars...I'll bring more than enough for all who desire to partake....

 

Like anything. As simple as identifying worn wipers and replacing them to the more technical things. A lot of folks on here have no qualms about poking around an engine bay (or pulling an engine), but everyday is somebody's first day trying to tackle something. Just trying to make it easier on those inclined to get their hands dirty or learn something new.

 

left front hub assembly and bearing; right front bearing; new Powerflex control arm bushings (were done in '06), oil leak fixed, power steering leak fixed, tuned, aligned, oil changed. Hopefully I'll get the new rubber on the latest set of wheels soon and I'll be good to go!

 

^^^WOW that was a hell of a lot of work Cliff. Can't wait to see your car and meet up at the Dragon.

 

Pre-MOTD paradise!

Mini is prepped, packed and sitting in my sister-in-law's garage in Columbus, oh. Waiting for me to get back on Sunday, so we can drive down to Deals Gap!

 

Just need to wash and wax and pack the car.

 

I was good until my son Blake decided that he can make it. Now we have his R53 to get prepped and ready.
1. Belt and Tensioner
2. Brakes
3. Oil change
4. Detail
Looks like spring yard work is going to wait until we return....dang!

 

Getting mine detailed as I speak. Just in time to drive in the rain to my local "Bloody Awful" launch festivities tomorrow evening. Might have to skip that and put in the garage and cover it until I leave next week, but hate to miss the rare occasion that my dealer gives away free stuff. So many decisions...