WOOHOO ! ! ! No rain OR snow on the forecast! Got the car out, washed and quick detailed, changed out my old rusty wheel studs, installed new WMW studs, R&R'd the brake caliper bushings and greased them up good, AND PUT ON THE SUMMER WHEELS/TIRES ! ! !
I drove it to my uncle's house to visit today. Not much of a big deal, but I enjoyed it. I bought my MINI new back in 2005. I drove it daily for 3 years and racked up ~94K miles, then I bought a Honda for daily use. I haven't driven it much at all (96K now) since I took it off the road in 2008. I heard so many horror stories about rear gearboxes failing in superchargers and the damage it can cause to the cylinder head from overheating that I became afraid to risk driving it very much. Over the last week, I have been researching this problem, and I ran across some fine articles in the Library here. I poked around other areas of the site and decided to sign up, and after reading about MINIs and researching parts over the last week...the temptation became too much. I got the MINI out, dusted it off and drive it all weekend! I had forgotten what it's like to drive a fun car. Slog around in a soulless applaince for a little while, and it'll make you forget that driving can be something to look forward to. I'm going to gather up some parts, and the MINI's going to spend a long weekend in my shop getting a new supercharger, water pump, belts, hoses, various smaller parts and a wheelbarrow full of gaskets & seals. Once that's all done, I plan to start driving it on days with good weather and weekends. Rawhyde
Did a DIY installation of a 22 mm Alta rear sway bar a while ago. Sure wish I had done this years earlier. Best bang for the buck mod yet. The handling does not even compare to the pre sway bar MINI. The installation was easy and drama free but a bit more time consuming than what is posted on numerous forums. I now can take the twisties at more than twice the recommended speed.
Took the entire household (4 adults) to lunch in my new MINI. Then shopping, returning with flooring samples and a mini-keg of Warsteiner. Yeah, it was a little tight in there! Added/removed a CravenSpeed FlexPod holder (my Droid Bionic, with extended battery, was just too heavy for it). Swapped in some stealth silver scuttle lights. Stowed the cables of my bluetooth solution, now looks nice/neat. Just about to complete my first 1,000 miles since pickup on 3/28.
I cleaned it out yesterday to hand it off for hail repair this morning. I'm in a Toyota Camry for a while... yawn! (at least it was new with only 30 miles on the clock)
Spent a good 45 minutes getting the feel of my MCS on St Charles County back roads, we have some very nice ones close by. First chance I'd had to let Nigel do what he was designed to. Very entertaining, posted 55 so maintain that speed, or close, in the 30 & 35 mph posted curves gives a spirited and not white knuckled experience. Nothing I've owned combines this much grip and stability with the ability to power-pull through the exits. I died laughing, love this car!
I replaced the passenger's side bonnet stripe this afternoon. One little bubble snuck in while I was doing a back flip. I'll save the driver's side for tomorrow. After a certain age it is nice to have something to look forward to. Comaparing the two I now wonder why I waited so long.
I found that you can put a small hole in the center with a pin and let the heat from the sun take it out. Don't go pushing on it. :nonod: Jim
The bubble is small enough that I'm betting the summer sun will shrink the vinyl enough to make it just go away. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. We'll see. With a quilter for a co-pilot I'll not have any trouble finding a needle if needs be.
Some genuine German racin parts showed up at my shop today..... Came all the way from the Black Forest with no damage.... Very happy....
Yes sir..... A verrrrry long road with lots of false starts. These are guarded parts that BMW has a strangle hold on..... I've been chasing these pieces for close to 2 years.....
Driver's side bonnet strip is now in position. NO BUBBLES. Held off on the back flip and kept an eye on it for a mo. 4 coats of hand buffed carnuba should keep them sparkling for a while.
OUTSTANDING, now you will have your very own wooden splitter. BTW: Don't ask Crash what he thinks about splitters. :lol: Jim
Dropped my MINI off at MINI of Portland for the water pump recall service (after making the appointment a month ago). Dealer was out of loner cars so they sent me down the street to a car rental place and now I'm cruising around in a Toyota Camry...
left it at home, as I have a truck that needs to be driven at least once a week and that day was today.....