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

Took mine out of storage today after almost 5 months. Battery was dead as a hammer. Jump started it and drove it around for a while, but it wouldn't build a charge. Ended up at AutoZone for a new battery. That was $189 I wasn't planning to spend today. :roll:
The guy behind the counter said "no problem", I'll swap it out for you. Heck, I didn't even realize what a pain it is to change one out. The AZ guy was definitely surprised, and not pleasantly. An hour later it was done. Have to say, the guy had a good attitude about it and said next time he has to do a Mini it'll take a lot less time because he'll know what to expect. I explained that on most of them he won't have to deal with removing and replacing the strut bar.
They were hesitant to even try to swap it out because the parts computer stated that the car was equipped with a smart charger and would have to be reprogrammed after installation af the new battery. I convinced them that at the most it would give me a CEL and I would take care of that if it did. Didn't have to do a thing other than hit the start switch and reset the clock. I'm a happy camper, especially after taking the long way home. Almost forgot how much fun the darn car is. Couple things left to do though. I put new plates on it today, but didn't realize until I was almost home that my state inspection sticker expired in December. Got to make an appointment for that at the same time I get my erl changed. Hopefully Wednesday.

 

Got up early and took my car down to the tireshop where I usually buy my tires. Switched out the winter wheels for the summer wheels. Had them to a front to back rotation. All for $20 and in and out in 20 minutes. I would be lucky to be out in 2 hours if it were a Saturday.

 

They tried that already. Turns out, doing that breaks Canada's various privacy and Canadian Rights and Freedoms laws.

 

Drove Skooby over to Discount Tire for the snow tire change over. In & out in 50 minutes. These guys do a great job.

 

No, my car sat in a garage in Key Largo Fl for 10 years, being driven infrequently as the owner's wife "didn't like it". It had 3,648 original miles when I bought it in 4/2015. It now has 29,750 miles. And more to come....

 

My car is ready to go to the Dragon now. I am getting a alignment Friday and then detailing my car this weekend, but I could leave for Fontana now.

 

I finally washed mine after 5-6 weeks of snow/rain.......

 

Applying 2nd layer of Gyeon Pure today.

 

I took my wheels off to wash them back and front. (white wheels) . I like the look, but boy it's getting to be alot of work at my age.

 

Up at Bavarian Repair this AM getting here all checked out and ready for MOTD.

 

This is the first time I've had an alignment done at what I consider a good shop. The tech was having trouble loosening the front tie rods to adjust them and he brings me out to show me what they look like. They're completely rounded and seized. The last place that did the alignment was a Ford stealership by my house. Before that was mostly Kauffman Tire and there was one trip to a MINI stealership. I don't know which shop f'd them up (Ford-cough cough), BUT, I'm having outer and inner tie rods changed as well today. Came in expecting to spend about $120. Will be leaving spending about $500. Yay Figure I'm having to pay for all the sloppy work early on..... Damnit.....

 

Updated my old PIAA wiper blades with brand new PIAA wiper blades.
Then went out to add gas to my gas tank. WOW! 94 Octane hit $2. per liter in the Vancouver BC area today!

 

Belt line trim coated with Gyeon Trim today and reinstalled. Then I pulled the car out and turned it around so I can pack it up Saturday for the Dragon.

 

Headed up to the stealership to pick up a rear emblem for Bitsy. Her StickyFingers.com badges are on the way out. Hoping to get it changed when I get to MOTD this afternoon/evening. See yall up there!