But of course, you know why...



My first Mini. A 2006 with 70k miles. 5 speed. I have test driven the newer models with auto and turbo etc, but I really like this older model.

It was this or a Fiat 500 and this won out. It has little issues that need attending to, but overall runs and drive amazing. I have been looking for an all around fun car with good performance and fuel economy and this came up for sale today and I bought it. No turning back now hehehe.

I'll be looking for info on this as well as any good or must have upgrades or tech tips.

The first one is a pair of tires. Two are good, but I need a pair for the front. What is an affordable good performing tire for these? Or should I ask in another topic?

Also wondering if there is a dedicated picture thread, have not found that yet.

Thanks
Dave

 

Congrats! Very nice. I have only driven the newer turbo, but I bet yours is just as much fun to drive. It is smaller and lighter, so probably just as peppy. Re: tires, why not get the same as the two good ones, so the tread patterns match? That is what I would do. Good luck with her.

Kat

 

Welcome! Very clean R50. Get matching tires brand and type tires, Try discount tire of tirerack

 

Yes, I do love a matching set of shoes. Since I just got it late yesterday, today I go take it to emissions test and register/insure it, then go over it a bit better. I may end up getting a set of 4, but not sure of what brand/models make the r50 handle "like it is on rails" without breaking the bank. I may go to my tire supplier (I get wholesale prices) and see what they have.

My truck just got a nice set of Nan Kang tires. I think they might make a car sport tire. But, what about Metzler? On my motorcycles I know what I like, on my passenger cars I like the Uniroyal for performance and value.

One other thing, I have noticed is a few of the folks here have named their cars. My bikes have names, but my cars never have. What's the story on that? Is that a Fuelly thing? I only have my bikes on fuelly.com. But still, I have had my truck over 25 years and never named it or even genderized it.

 

Got it registered insured, fueled up and ready to go for a nice drive this weekend.

Wonder how long it will take to run a full tank out?

I checked out some tires for it, but can only find the 175 65 15 in BFG for v rated tires. $750 mount balance and alignment. That won't be happening any time soon. I has faulkners on it now, H rated. I can get Uniroyal Tiger Paws reasonable if I just want a good tire, but I thing this car is worthy of better shoes. I can get the yokohama H rated for about $75 plus mount and balance, which I may do end of spring.

Katgirl, the turbo is a fun ride, but the mannerism of the turbo vs non is interesting as in where and how the power band engages. The turbo was far more peppy, way more than I need. I'm so glad I got this version.

 

Kit Peak Arizona

 

Some of my posts show up, some don't. Very frustrating. 200 mile round trip today, before heading out, checked the tire pressure. 15 psi on one rear tire, 42 on the front.

Filled them all to 32 and the tire butt icon warning light came on. It wasn't one before. So it looks like I need new senders when I do the tires.f

Found out where one of my posts went, I absentmindedly posted in another forum I just joined. I thought the picture loaded different.

"Put a little over 200 miles on her today. Out did my expectations. Unfortunately I had a 12 mile stretch of horrible pavement that just about killed the car and my back. Took a little offroad photo op."




I think my other post is waiting for moderator approval. It had a link to fuelly in it and that got interpreted as spam I guess.

 

The banjo forum is scratching their heads on that post, LOL. When I bought this I was wondering if a banjo would fit in the back, and it won't. I will fit in the back seat or with the seats down. My Dodge Omni has far more room. Some people call the mini the little car with big interior, well, they haven't been in my Omni, which is a little smaller than the Mini I measured at the dealer before buying one, and alot roomier.

I'll most likely retire the Omni for now and upgrade it to perform better. It will never have the features of the Mini, ever.

On my trip today, I stopped at a guy who was selling stuff along the road an bought a guitar, and that is bigger than the banjo. So yeah, all in all a very good day today for me and my Mini.