What did you do to your mini today?
#6726
04-13-2012, 03:55 PM
#6727
04-13-2012, 04:43 PM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Okemos, Michigan USA
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#6728
04-13-2012, 06:02 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Eastern Long Island, NY
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If you want, shoot an email to my friend Kevin, he runs our car club (EE Militia) and does vinyl on the side (actually does commercial vehicle stuff but does all the little things on the side). I had some Mini vinyl center caps made by someone else and he yelled at me for not asking him to do it... doh! He's located in Smithtown but I'm sure it's something that can be handled through email/phone/post office, he's a great guy.
http://www.eemproductions.bigcartel.com/
I must admit I have not done anything to my car in the past week other than drive it (around 800 miles I guess). Went to a big show in CT the day before Easter so I cleaned it up real nice but I haven't touched it since
maybe this weekend I'll give it a nice wash.
http://www.eemproductions.bigcartel.com/
I must admit I have not done anything to my car in the past week other than drive it (around 800 miles I guess). Went to a big show in CT the day before Easter so I cleaned it up real nice but I haven't touched it since
maybe this weekend I'll give it a nice wash.
I didn't really like the guy I went to anyway - he's just close. 
I did give mine a wash, de-stickered his rear side windows and added this to his boot window. Cuz my Straight Cooper is just so darn evil.
#6729
04-13-2012, 07:12 PM
Brought the MINI to my friend's shop to have a new S/C belt, OEM upper and lower engine mount installed...but one of the mechanics broke off the tensioner while changing the belt! 
My friend and I immediately agreed that it was the mechanic's fault so we ordered a new tensioner a few minutes later. It should be here in 2-3 weeks from the U.S. For the meantime, Smacky will be hibernating at my friend's shop 
My friend and I immediately agreed that it was the mechanic's fault so we ordered a new tensioner a few minutes later. It should be here in 2-3 weeks from the U.S. For the meantime, Smacky will be hibernating at my friend's shop
#6730
04-13-2012, 08:31 PM
1st Gear
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: FT Campbell KY
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r53 down to 2358lbs now! definitely a noticeable performance increase. Removed all the rear plastics and rear wiper, rear seats, rear carpets and battery cover, resonator, muffler, rear seat belts, etc. Good idea for anyone looking for a free performance boost and doesn't have more than 1 person to cart around. :P
#6731
04-13-2012, 09:19 PM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tehachapi, CA
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#6733
04-13-2012, 09:29 PM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tehachapi, CA
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Took some leave
#6734
04-13-2012, 09:34 PM
#6735
04-13-2012, 09:47 PM
2nd Gear
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tehachapi, CA
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#6736
04-13-2012, 09:56 PM
5th Gear
#6737
04-13-2012, 09:57 PM
#6739
04-14-2012, 07:28 AM
ArmorAll Wheel Protectant
I sprayed both front wheels a few days ago with ArmorAll Wheel Protectant. The photo below is a shot of the wheel after 2 full days of driving. I am very impressed that this product works as advertised, because I have typically not been an ArmorAll fan.
This morning I drove the mini up to Starbucks for some coffee in the rain and came home and park in the garage and took this picture. This protectant stuff even keeps the water off. Pretty amazing. Time to do the back wheel.
This morning I drove the mini up to Starbucks for some coffee in the rain and came home and park in the garage and took this picture. This protectant stuff even keeps the water off. Pretty amazing. Time to do the back wheel.
#6740
04-14-2012, 08:15 AM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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Jack up, wheel off and fender liner out. Might want to have an extra body plug or two(#12 in diagram) and this is the diagram you need to order Filler door and Hinge assy.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...78&hg=41&fg=25
#6741
04-14-2012, 09:15 AM
I sprayed both front wheels a few days ago with ArmorAll Wheel Protectant. The photo below is a shot of the wheel after 2 full days of driving. I am very impressed that this product works as advertised, because I have typically not been an ArmorAll fan.
This morning I drove the mini up to Starbucks for some coffee in the rain and came home and park in the garage and took this picture. This protectant stuff even keeps the water off. Pretty amazing. Time to do the back wheel.
This morning I drove the mini up to Starbucks for some coffee in the rain and came home and park in the garage and took this picture. This protectant stuff even keeps the water off. Pretty amazing. Time to do the back wheel.
#6742
04-14-2012, 09:16 AM
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Pensacola, FL
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#6743
04-14-2012, 06:43 PM
#6744
04-14-2012, 07:55 PM
5th Gear
Got the JCW engine control software installed today. Nudnik seems a lot smoother, idles better, pulls a little harder when you stomp the go pedal, and no longer has the slight "flat spot" at around 3k RPM. Further updates as I have more time driving it, but so far, I'm happy. While he was plugged in, I also got a couple body control module settings turned on that I'd been wishing for forever.
C ya,
Dutch
Initial impressions and observations, after a round trip to work:
1. I noticed that the speedo now indicates speed in reverse, which it didn't previously.
2. After warming up, I got the impression that the JCW tune adds more timing advance at light-throttle cruise. The difference was about the same as I remember from the old air-cooled Beetle if you re-attached the loose vacuum hose to the dashpot on the distributor....
3. Idle is definitely smoother.
4. Light-throttle cruise results in far less exhaust sound--another clue that it gets a bit more timing advance at light-throttle than before.
5. Throttle curve is a bit quicker at the early stages, so that just thinking hard enough about maybe adding some throttle results in mild acceleration. No more off-the-line stumble thanks to the quicker throttle response, too, since it responds much more like my foot expects it to than it did before. Me likey!
6. Smoother throughout the RPM range, and a bit more oomph, too.
7. Gas mileage according to the meter is about the same. The true test will be doing the math at the end of the tank.
8. Cruise control now works much more accurately, without overshooting its target, and settles right in at the previously set speed when resuming.
C ya,
Dutch
Initial impressions and observations, after a round trip to work:
1. I noticed that the speedo now indicates speed in reverse, which it didn't previously.
2. After warming up, I got the impression that the JCW tune adds more timing advance at light-throttle cruise. The difference was about the same as I remember from the old air-cooled Beetle if you re-attached the loose vacuum hose to the dashpot on the distributor....
3. Idle is definitely smoother.
4. Light-throttle cruise results in far less exhaust sound--another clue that it gets a bit more timing advance at light-throttle than before.
5. Throttle curve is a bit quicker at the early stages, so that just thinking hard enough about maybe adding some throttle results in mild acceleration. No more off-the-line stumble thanks to the quicker throttle response, too, since it responds much more like my foot expects it to than it did before. Me likey!
6. Smoother throughout the RPM range, and a bit more oomph, too.
7. Gas mileage according to the meter is about the same. The true test will be doing the math at the end of the tank.
8. Cruise control now works much more accurately, without overshooting its target, and settles right in at the previously set speed when resuming.
Last edited by joe_bfstplk; 04-16-2012 at 09:00 PM. Reason: to add some early impressions of the JCW software upgrade....
#6745
04-14-2012, 08:05 PM
4th Gear
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: North Phoenix, AZ
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#6746
04-15-2012, 02:04 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
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Finished blacking out her belt line. Love the look! We used the Scotch 33+ electric tape recommended to me by you wonderful NAM folks. It worked great.
I like the balance of black and chrome on her now! Also put on my chrome small dragons under my scuttles. Got them from outmotoring.com. Very nice! Now to pack for the Dragon....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
I like the balance of black and chrome on her now! Also put on my chrome small dragons under my scuttles. Got them from outmotoring.com. Very nice! Now to pack for the Dragon....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
#6747
04-15-2012, 02:09 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Robertsdale, Alabama
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Finished blacking out her belt line. Love the look! We used the Scotch 33+ electric tape recommended to me by you wonderful NAM folks. It worked great.
I like the balance of black and chrome on her now! Also put on my chrome small dragons under my scuttles. Got them from outmotoring.com. Very nice! Now to pack for the Dragon....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
I like the balance of black and chrome on her now! Also put on my chrome small dragons under my scuttles. Got them from outmotoring.com. Very nice! Now to pack for the Dragon....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
You're slipping!
#6748
04-15-2012, 02:15 PM
5th Gear
#6749
04-15-2012, 02:24 PM
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
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