Most liked posts in thread: What did you do with your MINI today?

Got my mini back from coolant leak
repair ($) (water pump, crossover pipe,
and thermostat gasket replaced) and
timing chain and guide replacement ($$$)
(was doing ok but was 15.5 yrs old).
They put down on the invoice that my oil
level was very low but I know it wasn’t
since I checked it just before it went in
and it usually takes about 1500 miles to
consume 1 quart.
All set for lots more miles and smiles.

 

Passed another emissions test.. The guy had a hard time finding the OBDII port.
The rules in Illinois used to be they would only test for 20 years, but they have now changed the rules to test for the life of the car.

 

I have to go this year also but at the moment we are required to do it every other year for 25 years.

 

Currently, the estimate is for the
thermostat housing and the TH to
turbo coolant line. Hope that’s
all it is. No diagnostic charge
because of the recent related
repair.

 

Thermostat housing replaced.
No more leaks so far.

 

I could smell oil burning in the cabin. It had been leaking along the back of the cover, right below the cabin filter intake. Replaced the valve cover gasket, smells like that fixed it.

 

From the folks at Blipshift...

https://www.blipshift.com/

 

Changed to my summer wheels for my MINI.. The Clubman will wait a few more weeks because we often get an early April snow.

A couple wheels needed a little help from Mr. Mallet despite using anti-seize. Since I had them powder-coated it has been a very tight fit.

 

Getting charged up for a MINI Cooper club drive on Sunday..

 

Chicago MINI Motoring Club drive yesterday.

We took a 2 hour scenic drive to a cars & coffee hosted by a detailing shop.
The owner has a gen2 Clubman and a classic Mini he stuffed a 200hp Honda engine into.. It isn't quite finished up but he hopes to get it on the road in the next couple months.





Here is a link to more photos of the event

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ernestovumbles/albums/72177720316209475

 

Got a call from the manager of one of the local dealerships letting me know they got an advance 2025 JCW Countryman for 2 days a week ahead of the roadshow car, so I stopped over to take a look.

It's too big for my taste, but I do like the seats, the more simplified dash and many of the interior touches that I know will be carried on to future MINIs.




Here is a link to a couple more pictures..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ernestovumbles/albums/72177720316325814

 

2012 Clubman summer tire change.

Also found a rattly heat shield.. Tucked it back in as a temporary repair.

 

The 2025 Countryman roadshow came to one of the 3 Chicagoland dealerships last night..

They had the expected non-JCW on display. I didnt really look closely at all the differences, but did notice the more ordinary wheels (I didnt especially like the JCW pattern), different badges, and also noticed the lack of paddle shifters. I'm sure there is more.

Big crowd, and the dealership threw a great party. Fun night to visit with lots of current and former Chicago MINI club friends.





here i a link to more pictures

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ernestovumbles/albums/72177720316448547

 

That is a 1963 Sunbeam Alpine. got it about 4 years ago and I had also stored it for the prior owner for a couple years before that.
It's a really nice looking driver, and I usually take it out weekly for drives around the area or to local cars and coffee events.

I have a couple older BMWs I got from a family friend who passed away a few years ago. Both had been in storage for over 20 years.
I got the 1974 BMW R60/6 running and sorted a couple years ago and use it as my primary bike, and plan to keep it forever.. I remember when the original owner got it new.
The 1987 K75 was upgraded back in the day with a bunch of go-fast goodies. I got it running last fall and have about 500 sorting out miles on it so far. I am hoping to move it on to a good home due to lack of space, but lots of people are telling me to hang on to it. It has been hard to start/long to warm up in cold weather but once it is warm it runs great. It has been getting better with more use and warmer temperatures in Chicagoland.

 

Just got my car back from the detailers. It looks great. I will post some pictures later of my car and the show on Sunday.

 

Some new toys were dropped on my doorstep today..
This will be my first time doing brakes..
I need to get some time in the next 2 weeks because I lose my extra offsite garage space and wont have room to work on the MINI without leaving other stuff outside.

 

I'm thinking about changing my brake calipers. I have JCW's from 05 but I like the look of the GP2 calipers better. My shop is getting me a price for the front , rear and labor. This seems to be a never ending project.

 

Drivers side front came apart a little easier than the passenger side until I got to the T50 set screw.

Banged on it with an impact tool and it finally came out.. needless to say it wont be used on assembly.