The "S" marks the hood release

You gotta be practical

 

Where did you find the middle grill fill-in piece?

 

Im confused. is it a "S" or a Standard mini!?

 

Also, where did you get those tail lights

 

I used the middle aero grill piece and had a body shop fill it in.

It's an S.

They are the APC retro taillights and can be found on ebay for $35 or so. I had them painted body-color.

 

It's an s but why does it have a just a cooper bumper and exhaust?

 

Its not a cooper exhaust, its the ALTA exhaust for the S with the tip re routed.

 

Exactly right. I like the look of the "right exit" compared to the center exit exhaust. And I wanted to be different, and confuse people. I guess it worked.

 

The mismatched wheels are god awful. Buy 4 that match. Other than that, it looks great!

 

Do you like the look of the silver OZ Superturismos, or the black OZ Superturismos?

 

how did you to the black part on the front lip? Not the grilles themselves but the black around it, is it vinyl? Did it go directly on the paint? I like the look of that

 

Thanks for the compliment.

All the black that was on the front of the car was vinyl. I layed it directly on the paint. When I removed it I had no trouble with paint chipping or anything like that. Vinyl just peels off like a sticker.

 

sweet! Was it a precut vinyl from Lyle or did you do it all yourself? Also was it a DIY install?

 

I love the look of the front end, the color coded grill and headlight rings.

 

My Dad did the black vinyl. Nothing pre-cut, just trial and error.

Thank you.

 

I installed Megan coilovers and Hotchkis rear lower control arms. Dropped 1" all the way around. -1.5 degrees of camber front and rear.

There is a sound occasionally when I turn that sounds like a rubber band stretched tight close to your ear and strummed like a guitar string.

Also, I get on three wheels a lot pulling up curbs into driveways. Had a sound the other day that was similar to a whale under water coming from the rear. I think that was the rubber on the control arms. hmm...

New lower grill.

 

The rubber band noise from the front is the sound of your coils rotating on their perches. Megan recommends making sure that interface is good and clean and that the plastic 'washers' are in place. Mine do the same thing, particularly after some rain when road grit gets up in there. I've been thinking about finding some sort of cover for the whole coil to keep them clean and quiet.

 

Looking good, I like it better now than when u had the blacked out grill and painted it down to the bumper grill. The lines didnt flow together. (in my opion)

But that's what makes mini so great, so many different ways you can make them your own. Keep up the good work.

 

Thanks for the info Tyler, I might do the same. If I come up with anything I'll post my solution here.

CZ, thanks for the compliment

 

Update?

 

PHOTOSHOOT

 

I think it's time to say goodbye to my coilovers as sad as it makes me to say it. I just can't handle the stiffness in my daily driver. I love the look and the tight handling, but at this point the stiffness has gotten too annoying on the roads around here. I'll be back to stock before winter.

I installed a skid plate and quick-change oil valve, but no major updates outside that.

I did come across a driver's side parcel shelf and snatched it up. It's really a neat piece and I don't know why Mini didn't put it in all the cars.

My Mod life has calmed down, which is good, but I'm sure I'll catch the bug again come springtime.

 

Just curisous about your middle grill insert. If you dont mind me asking how much did the shop charge you to do it? Also do you know the process they used?

 

I think it cost me $60 for prep and paint. They used the aero grill insert that goes there as a base. They filled it, smoothed it, then painted it. So it still snaps in like the normal piece does. I have not tried to take it out, but I imagine too much stress will crack the paint.

On a side note, my paint started to come off the upper grill surround that is normally chrome. I ended up just peeling it off after a while, so now I have a lightly sanded, chrome mustache, haha. I'm thinking about putting some silver vinyl there, and also down the edges of the lower bumper "mouth". I haven't decided between Fu Man Shu and Goatee yet...

 

I really do like your car, and the trial and error approach you take to all your mods. It's good to see someone experiment a little. Don't let all the nay sayers get you down!
There's a reason I've never posted any photos of mine on the forum...
BUT, your car looks great man! I like all the various stages it's been through!