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

I need a TX inspection, and a new registration. 25 bucks for the Inspection, and about 60 bucks for the registration. We don't get an inspection sticker here, anymore. They alert the State so we can get the registration renewed. One sticker in the windshield.

But, they can't do a State inspection in the rain, because the brake test has to be done on dry ground. We've had about five partial days of that all month.

CD

 

Many failed Pa cars end up being sold in Ohio. We have no state inspections. I few counties have emission testing, but that's it.

 

Texas inspection is done by independent garages, but any garages that wants to do inspections have to do them on ANY cars, so the Ferrari dealer has to inspect a beat down '76 Monte Carlo... or not do inspections. They don't do inspections, although they will get it done for Ferrari owners somewhere else, as a courtesy.

My MINI dealer does them and they are no big deal. On newer cars, they plug into the OBD2 port for emissions. Nothing goes on a lift. You do have to have safe tread on the tires, and all the lights have to work, but only pre-OBD cars have to go on the dyno with the sensor up the tailpipe.

The brake test is done in a section of parking lot with painted marks. Pretty elementary, but that's Texas.

The state registration on my MINI is 63 bucks. On a super-duty pickup, the price is lower, as it is considered a "commercial vehicle," whether or not it is used commercially. They call it the "Hummer discount," or something like that. Texans are proud of their carbon footprints. Some will spend 500-bucks a month on fuel just to piss-off a liberal. My feeling is, "Go ahead and shoot yourself in the foot, if it makes you feel good."

CD

 

Oops....something broke on the Countryman. Wife hit a curb and the Flat tire light came on immediately, even though the tires are not flat. Also, a loud grinding noise on the front. Tow truck guy thinks she broke an axle. From the description, it sounds more like a broken CV joint on the axle...so an axle. It got towed (Flat decked) to the dealer service center.

I will drop by later to have a look.

MINI dealer says they will try and get it through as a warranty claim. But since the wife hit a curb, it might be an insurance claim. Of which we bought new car replacement insurance. Hitting a curb should not break an axle on an SUV so hopefully, the warranty sticks.

Ugh...

 

Good luck, I hope it isn't that bad. The wheel speed / ABS sensor probably is damaged causing the flat tire nanny to shine her light.

 

I just went down and took a look. It looks like a transmission mount broke and the engine is sitting on top of the drive shaft. The shock tower looks like it hit the hood or something. Can't really tell there is any damage looking at it, but the engine does look to be sitting lower than it should be.

 

That must have been one hellacious curb. Hope the repairs go quick and smoothly.

 

Wow, your wife can really hit a curb!
How fast was she going?

 

Had a new windshield installed. I requested a genuine MINI windshield, but didn't get it my way. That night I proceed to stick on a new eyebrow. I've tinted windows for YEARS and have never scratched any glass with a blade. I now have a few nice long scratches in the black area of the glass. Is it possible that the new glass is "softer" than the OE? It's not THAT noticeable, but I notice it. Ordered a new blade in hopes that my previous wasn't the correct composition for cutting tint on glass.

 

Years ago, it was better to have American glass installed instead of European glass windshields. The American glass was better. I don't know if that is still true today.

CD

 

I did nothing...except start looking for a MINI project that someone started and didn't finish. I want a standard shift car. And I'm cheap....

 

Also standard on Lexus.

 

Great post for a MINI site...

 

Its not a bad car but the RUST is a big concern. It will need to go to a body shop for the rear quarters rush to be corrected. The seller says he has a replacement rear hatch so a body shop could fit and paint that while fixing the rust buy the taillights. The hood may need to be stripped and rust bubbles repaired and respirated. With all the body work I listed you may as well have the whole car resprayed Chili Red. *except the nice black roof.

Next on my personal list would be to get rid of the hideous rims.

 

Yes. I agree but remember... I'm a cheapskate

 

This cheap MINI will become an expensive MINI. That visible rust is just the tip of the iceberg. Keep looking.

 

Once you add a couple of Hella Rally 3000's to the front you'll be ready to hit the forest roads.

 

This new windshield is Pilkington glass. That's how window tint is cut/fitted and how professionals do it and how I've always done it. I asked my buddy that runs a tint shop about it and he asked me what type of blade I used, I told him I used a blade from a new pack of utility knife blades I picked up at the hardware store. He said they're likely not stainless and that's why it scored the glass. I went by and picked up a blade from him and will retry tonight.

 

If anyone is interested in my old OEM modded lights shoot me a PM.

My old R53 lights are “Joey modded” (Black inside) with upgraded HID bulbs, black rings without the Headlight washer line setup.