Looks at my dry clean car in the garage since it has been raining here since Saturday night and will not stop until “maybe” Wednesday night.
My GTI loves the cool dense air. Lots of that around here the last couple of days. I also get to see my paint bead up all pretty like.
I went to a 300 car show today. LOTS of Mustangs, hot rods, Chevys,...but I was the only MINI. Didn't win anything except a door prize. I guess winning at a show like that is all in the 'presentation'. But, as usual, I had a great time and the crowd loved Peppurr.
I Plasti dipped my spoiler.......... You didn’t see what the Aussie sun had done to it!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Haha Nice try Canberra winter are cold, long and dry....... get excited for hot & dry. At least I get to use the AC /) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Today I drove my MINI to a VW show and set up in the swap area selling leftovers from when I was into VW's. Saw a lot of old friends and had a great time. Even sold some stuff I think more people were into my MINI than VW's It's been a great weekend.
I got Rufus out of the garage and ran some errands at lunch. I've been busy around the house and finally got him unpacked over the weekend from a track evening event several weeks ago... poor guy! He still needs a wash, but it was good to get him out for a bit of exercise. Ever since I started working from home, I've gotta be careful to get him out of the garage every week for a bit of movement. When I got to my track event, I found that the driver's side window wouldn't go down. I could hear it click when I hit the switch and a bit of a nudge in the glass, but not drop. I was reminded on a MINI Facebook forum of the 'Fonzie' maneuver (pound w/ a closed fist just above the speaker in the door while pressing down on the window switch) and it worked like a charm! The window unstuck after 6-7 hits and it works great now. Aaaaaaaaaaaay!
Hi Dave, What pads are you using? I've tried to get EBC Redstuff locally where I am, but have been unable to. So I've just been using stock MINI pads. I think they are great except for how dirty they make my wheels. For normal slightly spirited street use in an area where we sometimes get snow, is wet most of the time, but summers can get hot and for a car that does a lot of mileage, what pads would you recommended?
I am not Dave, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn! (And no one threw firecrackers at me) I like Hawk HPS. I have used them several years on the R53 with great results. The R58 will get a pair when it needs new pads. https://www.detroittuned.com/hawk-hps-brake-pads/
Ordered winter tires to replace the 6 year old all-seasons that were on the MINI when I bought it earlier this year. Already have new dedicated summer wheels and tires. Was vacillating between Michelin X-ice i3, Blizzak WS80 and Pirelli Sottozero 3. Also vacillating between 205/50R17 and 215/45R17 (crap selection of winter tires in 205/45R17). Finally decided on the Michelins in 215/45R17 for various reasons. They should be here in a couple days with free shipping from Tire Rack, plenty of time before I need to change for the season.
Yes, but the 205/50 is just a little taller than I’d like, 205 vs 215 is a pretty small difference, and the Michelin 215/45 is only 21# compared to 23# for all the others I considered (despite being XL rated), and i’ve had good experiences with the X-ice xi3 (XL) on two previous cars.
Changed to winter tires and put the Toyo F1's in the tire rack. I really wanted a tire that was close in size to my 215/45/18's although I wanted to use my 16" wheels. After a lot measuring I put some 215/55/16's on the wheels. I wasn't sure if they would clear so I used the 12 mm spacers off the 18's. Drove it almost 100 miles today and when I hit a dip in the road at speed you could hear the rears rub. They are rubbing a little...so now I'm not sure what direction to take.
205/55/16 almost always works without rubbing even though it's a little oversized. 205/50/16 is a little undersized. 215/55/16 is a little taller yet and ay, there's the rub. Try without the spacer, if it doesn't clear the struts and springs on the inside, maybe try a smaller spacer, 5 or 6 mm? If still no luck, then either change to 205/55/16 or trim the wheel well plastic where it rubs or put up with the rubbing until it trims the well for you.