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

It was 73 here today. I guess the burbs of Philly don't define "global" the way scientist define it.

I didn't do much of anything today with my MINI, but tomorrow I have a lot of places to go, and people to see. It will be sunny and sixty-something, so my turbocharged MINI will be very happy with the cool-ish and dry weather conditions.

CD

 

Drove mine to the next town near me. ~80 miles round trip. Had to stop by my Credit Union and since I was in the area I stopped at Red Lobster for a late lunch. Ultimate surf-n-turf! Car seemed a little sluggish on the return leg. Probably something to do with the extra weight.

 

Nothing today, but tomorrow my MINI gets to hangout with some divas. I have an Enzo, a Carerra GT and a 918 to photograph.

I need to wipe down the MINI with some quick detailer tonight. I don't want it to feel underdressed for the party.

CD

 

A neighbor had a new Enzo for a short time. The delivery driver took it for a joy ride and damaged the front bumper. It didn't look that bad, but the repair bill was $35000. He refused delivery and built a racetrack instead.

 

I photographed about five million dollars worth of cars today, and finished just in time for it to rain on me and my MINI.

At least the Divas stayed dry. :frown2:

CD

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Oh, I also shot one that vetsvette would appreciate. It's a 1963 retro-mod vette. Not a bad driver. It had a dead battery, so I had to keep it running, which I did -- right up to the end when I was done shooting, and was ready to take it back to the shop. It died even before I tried to let out the clutch. Seriously? I was DONE!!!

I called the shop, they came to get the car, and I bailed. I had two more cars to shoot before the rain started.

CD

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Nice car. I really like the red stinger with the red interior. Not crazy about the wheels though. I prefer something more period correct, like maybe the OEM knockoff hubs or maybe a set of original American Racing Torq Thrust wheels.

 

I was at a Porsche dealer in Baltimore not so long ago
and they had a dark blue 918 on the showroom floor,
it was stunning.

 

Actually the last couple of days I have been trying to figure out a coolant leak. First thing in the morning have a small amount on the ground probably about the size of a half dollar. I let it sit over the weekend to see what I would have this morning, looked about like two, maybe three table spoons. I cant see anything by just looking though. Wondering if I should start stripping things back to the thermostat. Ideas - suggestions?

 

If it's on the left side of the car it's almost guaranteed to be the thermostat. If you've never changed it in the past, they have an updated one......

 

Yup what dave said ^^^

 

Yep, what Dave said! /\ :biggrin5::biggrin5::biggrin5:

 

So, we have a two Dave rating on this one?

CD

 

After driving it, pop the hood and see if it's pissing (misting) all over the hoses near the thermostat. I'm guessing like Dave said, if it's not been changed you can almost guarantee that that's what the issue is. Gotta love BM'r quality plastics. The whole pump/pulley/thermostat setup on the second Gen looks like a 5th grader designed it.

 

No I have never changed it out. I was hoping it was something that was going to be something a little simpler, like I forgot a clamp when I replaced the over flow tank, not my luck though.
There has been no consistency with the leaking, this morning barely anything at all.

I guess that makes it gospel! Time to get a hold of eMINIParts and get it on order! Thanks all.

 

So, I got to thinking this morning.....(yea, I know. The wife keeps telling me it's dangerous and I should make an effort to not do it) But, anyway I was thinking about the fact that after 14 yrs of ownership I have not had to replace any of my bulbs in the car.

Oh, great........I just jinxed myself. Dammit!

 

Buy a pair of spare headlight bulbs & brake/tail bulbs & keep them in the boot.

 

I have a drawer in the tool box with just those thing!!

 

Yesterday, took my kid down to local MINI dealer to look at the pre-owned MINI Cooper. Because it had been sitting on the lot for awhile, the manual transmission MINI was a good price, but still above kid's budget. we're talking a university student with little income. Though saleperson kept trying to weasel a deposit from us, we resisted. If they can come down a couple of thousand bucks, then maybe we'll talk.

Last night, we went to the Automall (after they closed) and looked at other cars. Most of the 3 year old low mileage lease returns are priced about the same. Did decided she didn't really like the pepper white of the MINI she drove earlier and preferred the blue at the other MINI dealership we were at. Other cars considered, Mazda3 Sport, Honda Fit/Civic, VW Golf (but the VW's seemed expensive).

 

Having raised two kids, their first cars need to be cheap.