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

Drove it to work. Just like I have all week. Nice to have a full week of driving my own damn car.

 

Work? That word rings a bell, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Think I'll kick back and watch TV for a while and think on it or maybe take a ride. Decisions, decisions. Retirement can be difficult at times. :biggrin5: :beer

 

Installed a ZiZa LED reverse bulb in the R55. It's brighter.

So far, no codes being thrown.

 

I'm 40+ years from retirement. Assuming I ever do. If you stop moving, you die.

 

What I did to my MINI today: I investigated a strange rhythmic banging noise that started the previous day while driving in to the 'big city'. Ran a couple of errands up there then back on the highway home. The noise was there this morning and afternoon. Before calling for an appointment I decided to pull the near side front wheel to see what might be causing it. To my surprise the first lug bolt I put the wrench on was only finger tight. Two more were about 3 turns loose and the 4th was completely gone.
I ordered a replacement bolt and torqued the loose bolts and took it for a spin - funny noise gone. How the holey hell did those come loose like that? Only thing I can figure is mischief and then wonder what kept that wheel from flying free while at highway speed yesterday and this afternoon.

 

Play the lottery as this would appear to be a lucky time in your life.

 

Started out the evening with "Front End Service Mode" - nothing more fun than to rip the radiator off to see if the previous owner did any maintenance. After that some carb cleaner inhaling while cleaning 88k miles of crud from the throttle body, new coolant tank got installed, and the K+N airfilter got a badly needed bath. Looked like an entomologist could recreate the last decade of bug migration through the midwest just by shaking out the pores of that badly caked element... This car is definitely not running short on tasks for my to-do list

 

I've never bought one, had a couple given to me and one was worth a couple of bucks. I'd rather win shorter putts from better approach shots. Thanks for the thoughtful sentiment.

 

More closer like 150,000

Who wants to place bets on what major "lifetime" component breaks first? I'm thinking I should replace the original ignition coil pack.

 

My guess based on a 98k mile car having had a few fail, but not the coil pack:

in that sequence of likelyhood

Radiator fan 2-stage resistor
Top engine mount
Belt tensioner
Fuel pump
Power steering pump
Coolant tank
Fuel filter should have failed before 100k

 

Signed up for an autocross tomorrow. This will be my first in 5'ish years. Should be interesting. Trying to drive hard/fast on runflats should be entertaining. I doubt I will do well but it should be fun.

 

Good luck and enjoy your journey !!

 

Minor correction: AutoX is Sunday(Oct 1).

Today I'm cruising around enjoying the excellent weather with the windows down and the radio loud.

 

I bought a can of Chili Red spray paint at my local automotive paint store, and clear coat to go with it. Boy, I will probably get myself in BIG trouble. PS it's just for some of the paint that rubbed off the strut towers.

 

Maybe you should practice on the hood first!

 

I got mine dirty Thursday and Friday, so I gave it a quick wash today.

CD

 

AutoX'ed it today. Not too bad for being really rusty and on OE runflats. I came in 8th out of 34 in my class. There was only about 1/2 second separating 8th-2nd. Pretty damn cool.

It was fun. The JCW really likes a good run like today. I, however, am gonna stick to competitive shooting. It's cheaper and I get to do it more often.

 

picked up new tires, did a super charger service, installed a new engine mount, and tried to install a new tensioner on one car. Found one bold missing and broken off in block. Not going to be fun to get that one out.

Then installed new light bulbs and adjusted headlights on the other. Drove it a few miles, too.

 

Good luck with the bolt !!