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

I parked my MINI at the airport today... again. It will be their until Thursday night. At least it is in covered parking -- 16 bucks a day.

I am in Florida again, and Paul McCartney's Mini should be running, and I am looking forward to taking it for a drive. The owner is pretty cool, so it should happen. I wish my MINI was here, so I could photograph them together. I will at least get a picture of me in the car.

CD

 

My MINI is at home, in it's garage. I drove a rental to Shreveport to photograph another English car, a 1968 E-Type. And what a car it is. Only one owner since new. Judged perfect over 36 times with 100.00 point scores and reigning JCNA North American Concours d' Elegance Championship Class Champion for last 12 years. It won over 55 JCNA Concours d' Elegance "Best Jaguar in Class" and 16 "Best in Show" Awards.

I have photographed a lot of E-Types. This is the best one I have EVER seen. Look at the shut lines. Every body panel lines up perfectly. That is somewhat rare on old E-Types.

 

Installed one of these in the boot last night since I'd rather use it to power my rear camera instead of one of those plug in deals that would (and did) fall out all the time. Also dropped the headliner to tighten up the antenna. Again. She's not coming loose any more

 

Needs pics: (not bad for almost 10 years old)

 

I thought I was going get a performance award as I got to the top of the hill on my way into the office this morning. I was running about 14 lbs boost on my supercharger. Saw this guy come running out of the trees onto the road as I got there but he ignored me and pulled over the Jeep Cherokee SRT trying to keep up with me. I noticed the uniform and 2 motor cycles hidden behind the trees. The Jeep must have been going faster just as we rounded the bend near the top as I was slowing down for the traffic light anyways.

Whew....lesson learned. Time to find another engine test road.

 

You are correct CD. Not long ago I had the battery go bad in my Miata. I thought I'd have to buy another. Looked at the receipt & believe it or not I had 5 days left on the prorated warranty. Figured they'd give me $5 off a new one. Get to the store & the guy hands me a new battery. I ask how much & he says "no charge, we don't do that prorated stuff anymore." A rare victory for this old guy.

 

I finally received my new RMW coil overs yesterday. And today I had more surgery on my left hand. This means that it’s gonna be at least three weeks before I can get them installed. Until then here are some pictures. This is Jan’s first set of F56 coil overs.

 

I pulled my car out of the garage Saturday for the first time in a month and washed it. The AC Compressor seized and broke the belt close to home so I drove it home and parked it for a while and went on vacation.

FYI the tensioner expanded all the way and nothing happed to my car.

See you don’t need a tensioner stop, they are all pointless.

Made appt today to have my car flatbedded to Helix tomorrow. I am finally having my AC compressor replaced and since it’s in the shop they are going to install my new Brembo’s and replace my rear anti-sway bar bushings.

I can put a new belt on and drive it to the shop since the AC pulley is locked up.

Should be able to pick it up Friday.

 

Picked up my MINI from Helix today. New AC compressor and belt installed along with my new Big JCW Brembo’s up front.

Pictures later because it raining.

 

I went to a local car show today. About 150 cars. All hot rods, customs, muscle cars, etc. Top 50 got trophies. Peppurr came in at 14. I had a ball. Now to get back to all the 'stuff' I didn't get to this week....

 

Put a new wiring harness in a classic Mini, then updated it to convert from a generator to an alternator Everything works now.....yay!

 

Got a little exhausted yesterday..........got the new RMW header and Milteck installed.
I like, I really, really like it.
Initial 25 mile impression is that it seems to feel a lot "free-er". Better response to the fun pedal.
Sound wise, a bit raspy for my tastes at part throttle, but sounds great at WOT. Got a slight buzz coming from the rear at idle, got track that down. But no drone!

 

Today I received my new custom 50 watt bi-HID headlights. Yup these bad boys were going to be clear and bright.

 

Tonight I finally adjusted my new Bi-Xenon HIDs. Yeah they are bright. The last picture is the high beams on!

P.s. yes, I did spot a few deer.

 

I worked in education for 30 years. When I retired in 2002, I wanted to get a car like my very first one, a used 1959 Morris Mini Minor, but the Minis of my youth were no longer sold. I bought a very nice, used R50 and put in a cai and a catback, to remind me of the first car, I guess. Then, I joined NAM because at the time, M/A was just a gleam in someone's eye. It was in NAM that I started hearing about the Tail of the Dragon and went there for the first time in October, 2004. After a few years of Dragon-slaying in my under powered but nimble R50, I bought my first R53 [new in '06] as my daily driver, but by that time, I REALLY wanted it as a weekend track car, so I modded it for the track. I still use it as my daily driver, though...just a very fast one. In 2012, I found a bone stock R53 with only 26k on it and bought it for my wife. It's still bone stock but is fast approaching 85k. All three of my MINIs are well maintained and I'm happy with the choices I made. I am 72 now and plan to keep them all until they either fall apart or I give up my license.

It's all in age, CD, and in that, I am STILL way ahead of you.

 

But we also know MINIs are meant to be driven and they love to be flogged. Especially the R53/R50 generation.

Have you driven an R50 5-speed? It lacks a bit in power, but the engine begs to be revved and the car loves to be driven as hard has you can. Most MINI drivers (not all, but most) run out of skill far before they hit the performance limits of their MINIs.

Keep your MINI in good condition and he (or she?) will reward you for it.

 

I drive my car in the winter and in the snow. I love passing SUV’s and Minivans stuck on hills in the snow.

A MINI is like a heated snowmobile with a nice stereo that just goes and goes like the energizer bunny.

 

Have a great Thanksgiving to all you USA based MINI Motorers.

Today, I submitted my shopping list to my kid so she can buy me the bluetooth OBD II adapter so I can code our MINIs with Bimmercode.

 

Today I looked at my clean but dusty MINI in the garage and told her I scored 2 tickets to see The Rolling Stones June 4 2019. Don’t ask how much they cost.

After a trouble free trip to the Dragon she may get to hear the Stones from the parking lot this time.

It’s only Rock and Roll but I like it.

 

Taking the wife to Atlantic City today to see some cirque du soleil show at a casino and have dinner.

So the MINI gets to take a long run to the beach and back on the AC expressway with the V1 on avoiding all the NJ troopers.