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

In other news, the annual Vancouver Christmas Wish toy drive happened and about 20 MINIs from the Vancouver MINI Cooper Club went and added to the mountain of toys. MINI Canada was kind enough to come along and bring a Clubman full of MINI Swag.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/beken/albums/72177720313389115

 

Yea MCS, I'm afraid its a deep rabbit hole. I have about 12 cars, each worth much more than the mini, but it reminds me of a mix of a Triumph TR6 and a BMW 635, both of which are a blast to drive. The mini is all upside down money but one of those things that's just a labor of love.

 

Got clear on the panels this morning. A little trash but it's temporary anyway, I need to do an overall paint job this summer. This car was like a rescue dog, it's been driven relentlessly and not maintained at all. Plastic bits glued on, rear konis missing upper mounting bushes, front uppers shot too, motor mounts, clutch slipping, aftermarket wheels with no centering rings, tires dry cracked total circumference inside and out! It was a hot mess and driving felt like it was gonna come unglued, but there was that blower whine and fun factor so here we go.

 

Wishing all of you an advanced Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2024 Year!

It seems as if all our troubles emerge at this time, I guess, and my future seems kinda iffy to me in the coming year [and beyond]. I'm having brain surgery on Jan. 9 and will probably be without any of my Minis for some time..can hardly wait to get new automobile batteries for each

 

Can't help the brit cars MCS , and compared to my two 635's and the Mini, the brits leak no more oil nor have any more elec troubles than the bmw's. Nothing rides like a real jag, but nothing handles like a bmw. I'll have to find an alternative to the ati damper $, if mine looks good I may "pin" it like we did sbc's. I suspect my SC pulley is stock JCW, would that be a 15%? I'll certainly change all hoses accessible, and do all gaskets and maintenance while the motor is out. Found my windows down a couple mornings ago, so that moisture gremlin is lurking, just glad it didn't rain.

 

I believe the JCW pulley is reported to be 11%. I had to look up the pinning of small block Chevy damper and if I understand correctly it’s done to stop the damper from spinning on the crankshaft whereas it is the internals of the oem damper on the R53 that deteriorate and allow the uncontrolled spinning of its damper.

 

Those holey wheels look sooo good. Almost like they were made for the MINI.

 

It is the NT530
Should be good for current BMW/MINI and Rolls Royce.. There was an additional charge pack and cable for older BMWs that I did not get.

 

This morning was a little too frosty for motorcycling, so took the MINI out for a nice breakfast ride instead..

 

Brisk morning air for motoring and a nice breakfast is a hard to beat combo.

 

If’n there’s no snow, ice, or salt on the roads its driving season here in northeast Ohio. I’ve been out for few drives lately as the temps have been upper 30’s and 40’s which make for nice driving in February.

 

2009 R55 JCW
Slow leak of coolant onto the back
half of the transmission housing.
About 1-2 oz per day (20 miles).
Took the 2 intake hoses off to
see the thermostat and hoses
better, pumped a pressure tester
up to 20 psi and still couldn’t identify
a source, although the crossover
water pipe is a little wet next to
the thermostat.
The hoses on the thermostat, radiator,
oil filter/cooler housing, etc. and
water pump all look dry and fine.
Ordered the ECS upgraded metal
crossover pipe (WHY is the oem
part plastic!!), and the 2 gaskets,
but I really don’t feel like tearing
down and replacing that myself,
especially since I’m not certain
that’s the definite source, so
will have my MINI friendly shop
do it in a week or two.

 

Looks fun! I have always wanted to get into the big 1/32 - 1/24 scale slots. I have picked up a few vintage (60's) hard bodies over the years, just never been close to any set up like this.

 

Looks good! You might try measuring the paint thickness. There is a tool for that although it is rather spendy. Unless there is a real issue I wouldn't use a polisher on it either.

 

Car looks great and your wallet appreciates it.

 

Was able to get out for a drive yesterday in the sunny spring like weather but the MINI could use a good inside out cleaning.

 

Over the weekend I finally had some time to install those F56 seats in GIR. Still need figure out the heated seat wiring , I think I almost have it. Air bags not really all that worried about. I do like the way they look, IMO more comfortable than the original ones. They do sit tad higher because they are on seat mounts

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