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

Had a fun jaunt into work this morning. When are pickup drivers going to learn they simply cannot hang with a little sports car in a corner? Seriously, If I hadn't maintained speed thru the corner he woulda slid right into me and rammed me right into the wall. I took the outside lane as a courtesy and he still f's up. Idiot. I totally get that trucks nowa days are quick,IN A STRAIGHT LINE. Someone send pickup owners that memo.
IN OTHER NEWS-I received a letter in the mail from MINI informing me that the HPFP is covered for 10 years or 120k It's already been replaced by BMW of North America once. Glad to know it's covered for the next time it takes a s**t. (knocks on wood) Apparently the "fix" they applied to the N18 HPFP wasn't much of a fix at'all :cornut:

 

Took my R53 to Best motor werks tonight for some maintenance. It's been a long time since I have driven the MINI.

I'm sure I was smiling.

 

Bummer that you had to replace it more than once. Mine lasted about 130K.

 

I've only replaced it once. Well I didn't BMW did. Either way nothing out of pocket for this guy :cornut: Still glad they stretched the warranty for the N18's till 120k/10 years just in case . Previous owner had fuel delivery issues, but I suspect poor fuel quality is the culprit. The only fuel she get's is top tier 93 since I've owned er.

 

I replaced the belt, plugs, air filter, cabin filter, and a torn intake boot.

 

I've had an intermittent issue with my Clubman, so I dropped it at the dealer yesterday and picked it up this am....turns out a vacuum line had come off the control valve mounted under the intake manifold.

Car runs so much better now!

Price was very reasonable (1 hour labor for diagnostic time) and I had the use of a new Countryguy while mine was in hospital.

Highly recommend Baron MINI in KC!

 

So, I got this as a text from my boss at work.
Text read......... missed your car by that much!
https://goo.gl/photos/ScCLAZSGt6CL6BWq7

 

I ordered (2) bottle of Motul RBF 600 Factory Line Dot-4 100 Percent Synthetic Racing Brake Fluid.

Getting ready for Summer wheels to go on and then its off for its yearly Brake Flush and Alignment for the Dragon.

57 Days, 01 Hours, 56 Minutes, 26 Seconds
:devil::devil::beer

 

Dave, how often d you change your brake fluid?

 

Once a year in the Spring before the Dragon. My car only goes 5K a year.

Unless I change the rotors and pads, then I do it again.

 

I parked my MINI at the airport, again. It is another few weeks of heavy travel. It is in a secure lot, with covered parking. We are just entering hail-storm season. Got to keep the car in covered parking.

I'm shooting a 1972 Ferrari 512BB tomorrow. The current owner bought the car new!

CD

 

Oh, BTW, I spent the whole morning and early afternoon shooting some cars in Dallas, and went straight to the airport.

Well, my camera bag got pulled for an enhanced inspection. It got swabbed, and my cordless mouse got a positive result for explosives. So, I get a pat down, and my clothes tested positive for explosives, too. So, I got another pat down from a supervisor, and my clothes still tested positive for explosives.

By this time, I figured it was because I spent six hours up-close with old cars that don't burn fuel very efficiently, and leak all kinds of fluids. I often finish a photoshoot smelling like a gas station attendant.

After two positive results, they called in a TSA explosives expert, and after about ten minutes, he cleared me. I went straight to a bar.

I do have to say that everyone involved from the TSA was courteous and professional. Then again, I wasn't angry -- they were just doing their jobs. Plus, now I have a funny story to tell.

CD

 

Well.....

You really need to stop buying from those sketchy roadside fireworks shops you see along the side of the freeways down south....

 

Finished up my intake last night. Sounds great, and not too loud like the previous DOS inspired setup. A lil 130° bend, some carbon fiber tubing and a sheet of dynamat on the firewall quiet things up nicely. I don't know why but IAT's stay at ambient (at idle and normal driving) unlike the stock setup. Thinking that long ass tube on the factory setup that passes thru the engine compartment gives the air time enough to jump up about 5-8 degrees. IntakeHoses.com is a good source for some intake bits.

 

Took it for a short drive to the local Penske truck rental place. The 16' truck was a bit overkill... but the weather made it worth it.





Total of 19 windows. Staged and ready to chew up my summer weekends.

 

Not with the MINI, but stuck in Amelia Island today it looks like. Thought about going to the little car show they have here, but man those tickets are a little steep. I'm sure I'll see some fun stuff driving around.

 

Having new summer tires mounted onto my summer rims (205/50/16 Conti ExtremeContact DW --> 205/55/16 Conti ExtremeContact Sport).
I won't actually swap them onto the MINI until a couple weeks from now, as we're expecting 6-10 inches of snow
in a few days, and maybe some more the following week.

 

Made a run to Lowes with the R53 to get Stubb's charcoal for my persistent grilling. Swung by the grocery and liquor store too.... to keep the front/rear mass in balance so that the fun factor wasn't diminished. .

 

Nothing much. Just made a roof.



Oh yeah... and drove the snot outta it for a couple of hours.