Most liked posts in thread: What are you doing to your MINI before the Dragon?

Out with the Old:


In with the New:

 

I'd like to get mine running......

 

DaveO - my alternator failed at the Overlook two years ago on the Saturday afternoon ending the Dragon!

The Mini is programmed to sequentially shut down electrical components to protect the running engine, and one of the highest-draw items is... wait for it... the POWER STEERING! I swapped batteries with a riding companion, and drove back to Fontana with no power steering - and the Mini is designed to always have power assist (it's not like a Miata or Rabbit where the geometry allows no p/s and easy steering at speed). Felt like Chuck Norris when I made it back!

Thankfully, can't say enough about Hendricks Mini, who had one of "their guys" coming out from Charlotte that evening. They got ahold of their parts guy, who grabbed an alternator, and they hotshotted it out. I got it at 130AM, and the car was running on the new alternator by 330AM, drove home on it the next day and haven't looked back! (don't ask what a factory alternator cost 3 years ago, with hotshot shipping, but it was altogether cheaper than missing 2-3 days of work and staying in a hotel!).

For me?
- Konis/springs/plates (that's the biggie!)
- ebrake cable (PITA repair!)
- tie rods (corroded and can't be adjusted!)
- Rear rotors
- another Group4Autosports exhaust prototype!

 

Many thanks to CHKMINI for lending a hand tonight and helping me get my freshly painted JCW bumper installed on the car.



Thought it might be nice to add a little red color to the car as well. :biggrin5:

 

If your Mini has weeds, you need to do some serious detailing.

:lol:

 

Looks great!

I'm hoping to get a call from my mechanic that my car is finally done this week lol

So once I get it back I need to do a major polishing, waxing, and general detailing (lots of swirls on the hood, etc.). Have to remove all of the winter abuse and make Gizmo all shiny

 

Finally put on the 15% pulley! Next it needs an oil change and wash. Unfortunately I had to go to work. Didn't even get the weeds cut. I guess I will keep working on the dandelion garden.

 

When it came time to start packing it reminded me how much I dislike the storage well in the boot.

I like the idea of the boot box but not the cost. Decided to make my own. Of coure I started to overthink it but then I figured all I really needed was a cover for the well.

Went to the craft store and got one of these poster boards.



A little measuring and cutting



Some foam padding to hold everything in place



and bingo. cover completed.

 

I picked up a New-in-box 22mm swaybar from someone here locally last night for $100. Spent the evening in the garage installing. Can't wait for a test drive. :smile5:

 

Just finishing getting all the little odds and ends fixed on mine and getting some mirror caps painted red...Thanks Mark! Nothing else planned unless Mark or Chuck get ahold of my wallet.

 

Brake fluid flush
New tensioner and belt
Oil change
New plugs
Clean K&N air filter
New water pump
Coolant flush
New Swift swings
Summer tires
4 wheel alignment
2 day full detail


Put beer in car and go...

 

Everything I'm not embarrassed to drive around locally with that needs attention, but wouldn't be caught dead with around real Mini people.

 

Sorry - just saw this.

Nope, not the dealer paint.

I've tried a few different sources. The only formulation I've found that looks decent is Standox. It's the OEM-spec paint, as I understand it, or really close. Available from Finishmaster and some other pro paint suppliers. The 3M color that is supposed to be the same, isn't even close.

If you go to your local Finishmaster, or find another Standox supplier or someone who does small touchup quantities using Standox formulation, and order Mini Cooper Cool Blue, it will be very, very close. You'll still need to apply it properly, and use clear coat properly, and blend it properly using something like Langka. Or wet sand / buff if your a pro and know what you're doing. But don't call me if you wet sand through your paint.

 

75K (@85k) service inspection, SC service(+17% pulley), water pump changed, oil change,filter, tune, plugs, crank sensor gasket, serpentine belt, cabin filter, and some other crap I'm forgetting at the moment; had it all done friday so I can drive around for the next 2 weeks and make sure everything is Sierra Hotel!

 

Coilovers and sway bar ordered today, should be here by Friday.

 

I am sure glad we have three MINIs! However, one is the wife's and she will not drive on a twisty road...EVER. The other two are ones I drive and therein lies the problem. I was gonna bring my MCS down, but it needs new rear struts, at least, so it's not going until it's fixed and I do not foresee it being repaired before MOTD. So, I am driving the other MINI down...an MC-cvt. It's been checked, fixed, and pronounced trip/Dragon worthy, but you never know with a CVT...so I'm hoping the Dragon gods smile on us and do not see us as their roadkill dinner!

 

Fingers crossed for a trouble free MOTD!!!

 

Wanted to hang with the Kool Kats so I decided to add a little carbon fiber baby!!!

On my Macbook. :biggrin5:

 

I'd think beer would have to be at the top of the list, but after rethinking it, ya don't want it gett'n warm while ya do all that other stuff.

So, good choice in priority Dave! :beer