R60 What did you do to your Countryman TODAY?
#251
#252
#253
Thanks!
- ALL4 (as if anyone 'round here would get a FWD CM) w/ 3 pedals
- Red w/black roof & black 17" wheels
- Tech pkg w/Nav
- Premium pkg
- Cold weather pkg
- Sunroof
- Flat load floor
- Cloth seats (something to keep from toasting my backside in the summer)
#254
Cool! That looks like a great alternative. Will most definitely check that out.
#255
Installed error free LED W5W bulbs in the access lighting under the doors.Nice and bright, would post pics if I knew how to take good ones at night with my digital camera.
One thing I will add is it is unbelievable how hot the stock W5W bulbs get in those housings. Even with the door open and light on for less than a minute they were burning hot including the housing. Glad to switch out to the cooler LED.
Up next: Tuesday Chaos goes in for the coolant temp sensor recall and a look at the "weeping" sump pan gasket as pointed out by the local Mini mechanic at the 6500 mile oil change.
One thing I will add is it is unbelievable how hot the stock W5W bulbs get in those housings. Even with the door open and light on for less than a minute they were burning hot including the housing. Glad to switch out to the cooler LED.
Up next: Tuesday Chaos goes in for the coolant temp sensor recall and a look at the "weeping" sump pan gasket as pointed out by the local Mini mechanic at the 6500 mile oil change.
#256
#259
#260
After putting it on I think it should be the standard spoiler on the CM. It brings a much cooler and meaner look to the car.
#263
#264
#265
#266
since you asked,... and yes it is quick but definitely not my cup of tea i guess its really a chick magnet, or a dudes happy dream to pull in the best gold diggers at the club LOL... i will stick with the mini and fly under the radar... and to keep on topic with the threads theme I washed both mini and porsche this morning...
#268
Today, I entered the CM into a carpet cleaning challenge.
The idea came after thinking MINI really went cheap with the rug on that car every time I vacuum it. This was bugging me as I was detailing the oldest car in the fleet - my 02 BMW 303cic - on Saturday and having all the dog hair come out relatively quickly.
Background:
- Our two Whippets ride in all the cars. They are in the cars for the 3 hour treks from SF to Reno and back.
- The dogs and I go running on dirt trails several time a week then get in the cars with dusty paws and shoes.
The cars:
Three cars still needed cleaning and were qualified for the Driveway ShopVac challenge:
- 2007 BMW 650i - the primary summer driver, has at least 1,500 miles since the last cleaning. Looked kinda ghetto with dirty wheels and nasty carpets.
- 2006 MINI Cooper S - About 5 to 600 miles since the last cleaning, but it's my partner's commute car so not a lot of dog damage.
- 2012 MINI CM - Was just detailed a few weeks ago and has hardly been used since other than going to the airport and taking people around SF.
The rules of the challenge:
- Use the shop vac and various brushes and utensils.
- Time limit is two songs per car
- Impartial judging by my partner - the one who couldn't care less about cars...
Results:
Third Place: The CM. I used the full length of time (two songs). The back is still showing quite a lot of dog hair even after using all the utensils and despite having low dog miles on it since the last cleaning which was a full detail. My partner thought I did not even vacuum the package shelf or the back side of the rear seats. Really??
Second Place: The 06 MINI Cooper S. It would have tied for first, but it had the fewest dog miles on it. I had it done in one song.
First Place: The 650i, hands down. The dust and dog hair cames off easily with one pass or two. I stopped before the end of the second song. During judging, my partner climbed in back and checked some of the nooks and crannies and they passed the test.
Conclusion:
I'm a little sad that the CM lost, but I needed to have a little fun while cleaning the cars - so I did. While I don't expect the same level of carpet quality in the MINI as I do in a 6 series, my little impromptu shopvac driveway challenge confirms MINI really went cheap on the CM carpet. Even my impartial judge who doesn't care about cars thinks so therefore it must be true. It would be nice if we had the same grade as in the first gen new MINI's in our CM's. Pretty please Mr or Ms Bean Counter. ..
The idea came after thinking MINI really went cheap with the rug on that car every time I vacuum it. This was bugging me as I was detailing the oldest car in the fleet - my 02 BMW 303cic - on Saturday and having all the dog hair come out relatively quickly.
Background:
- Our two Whippets ride in all the cars. They are in the cars for the 3 hour treks from SF to Reno and back.
- The dogs and I go running on dirt trails several time a week then get in the cars with dusty paws and shoes.
The cars:
Three cars still needed cleaning and were qualified for the Driveway ShopVac challenge:
- 2007 BMW 650i - the primary summer driver, has at least 1,500 miles since the last cleaning. Looked kinda ghetto with dirty wheels and nasty carpets.
- 2006 MINI Cooper S - About 5 to 600 miles since the last cleaning, but it's my partner's commute car so not a lot of dog damage.
- 2012 MINI CM - Was just detailed a few weeks ago and has hardly been used since other than going to the airport and taking people around SF.
The rules of the challenge:
- Use the shop vac and various brushes and utensils.
- Time limit is two songs per car
- Impartial judging by my partner - the one who couldn't care less about cars...
Results:
Third Place: The CM. I used the full length of time (two songs). The back is still showing quite a lot of dog hair even after using all the utensils and despite having low dog miles on it since the last cleaning which was a full detail. My partner thought I did not even vacuum the package shelf or the back side of the rear seats. Really??
Second Place: The 06 MINI Cooper S. It would have tied for first, but it had the fewest dog miles on it. I had it done in one song.
First Place: The 650i, hands down. The dust and dog hair cames off easily with one pass or two. I stopped before the end of the second song. During judging, my partner climbed in back and checked some of the nooks and crannies and they passed the test.
Conclusion:
I'm a little sad that the CM lost, but I needed to have a little fun while cleaning the cars - so I did. While I don't expect the same level of carpet quality in the MINI as I do in a 6 series, my little impromptu shopvac driveway challenge confirms MINI really went cheap on the CM carpet. Even my impartial judge who doesn't care about cars thinks so therefore it must be true. It would be nice if we had the same grade as in the first gen new MINI's in our CM's. Pretty please Mr or Ms Bean Counter. ..
#270
#271
Tuesday Chaos went in for the coolant temperature sensor recall and a "weeping" sump pan gasket as pointed out by the local Mini mechanic who's performed 2 oil changes on him.
Well the recall went without a hitch but it took two days for the oil leak. Here's the write up from the receipt:
"Customer states there is an oil leak from the engine area. Check and report. Confirmed oil to be leaking from oil pump solenoid......"
Here's the Clff Notes version: Disconnected solenoid connector from engine harness-found it filled with oil "debris". Disconnected connector to DME and found it clear. Removed oil sump to access oil pump solenoid.Removed and replaced pump and seal. Secured with loctite. Removed intake piping and intake plenum to access engine harness. Removed and replaced engine harness...etc, etc.
So in the end the solenoid is no longer leaking, got a new engine wiring harness, fresh oil, road tested and all is good.
But the SA told my wife when she picked Chaos up that he is seeing a lot of these leaking solenoids. It might not be enough to leave spots on the ground yet (like mine) but it is something you should get checked when yours goes in for service.
Well the recall went without a hitch but it took two days for the oil leak. Here's the write up from the receipt:
"Customer states there is an oil leak from the engine area. Check and report. Confirmed oil to be leaking from oil pump solenoid......"
Here's the Clff Notes version: Disconnected solenoid connector from engine harness-found it filled with oil "debris". Disconnected connector to DME and found it clear. Removed oil sump to access oil pump solenoid.Removed and replaced pump and seal. Secured with loctite. Removed intake piping and intake plenum to access engine harness. Removed and replaced engine harness...etc, etc.
So in the end the solenoid is no longer leaking, got a new engine wiring harness, fresh oil, road tested and all is good.
But the SA told my wife when she picked Chaos up that he is seeing a lot of these leaking solenoids. It might not be enough to leave spots on the ground yet (like mine) but it is something you should get checked when yours goes in for service.
#273
Tuesday Chaos went in for the coolant temperature sensor recall and a "weeping" sump pan gasket as pointed out by the local Mini mechanic who's performed 2 oil changes on him.
Well the recall went without a hitch but it took two days for the oil leak. Here's the write up from the receipt:
"Customer states there is an oil leak from the engine area. Check and report. Confirmed oil to be leaking from oil pump solenoid......"
Here's the Clff Notes version: Disconnected solenoid connector from engine harness-found it filled with oil "debris". Disconnected connector to DME and found it clear. Removed oil sump to access oil pump solenoid.Removed and replaced pump and seal. Secured with loctite. Removed intake piping and intake plenum to access engine harness. Removed and replaced engine harness...etc, etc.
So in the end the solenoid is no longer leaking, got a new engine wiring harness, fresh oil, road tested and all is good.
But the SA told my wife when she picked Chaos up that he is seeing a lot of these leaking solenoids. It might not be enough to leave spots on the ground yet (like mine) but it is something you should get checked when yours goes in for service.
Well the recall went without a hitch but it took two days for the oil leak. Here's the write up from the receipt:
"Customer states there is an oil leak from the engine area. Check and report. Confirmed oil to be leaking from oil pump solenoid......"
Here's the Clff Notes version: Disconnected solenoid connector from engine harness-found it filled with oil "debris". Disconnected connector to DME and found it clear. Removed oil sump to access oil pump solenoid.Removed and replaced pump and seal. Secured with loctite. Removed intake piping and intake plenum to access engine harness. Removed and replaced engine harness...etc, etc.
So in the end the solenoid is no longer leaking, got a new engine wiring harness, fresh oil, road tested and all is good.
But the SA told my wife when she picked Chaos up that he is seeing a lot of these leaking solenoids. It might not be enough to leave spots on the ground yet (like mine) but it is something you should get checked when yours goes in for service.
Thanks in advance.
#275