Greetings.

I'm a long time lurker..and a first time poster. As soon as I get smart enough, I'll post some snaps of my 2005 MC's.

ok, the bullets...and I'm probably gonna get flamed..be gentle on me.


* Chili red/black roof and trim ( and leather).
* Nearly mint condition
* My daily driver for the past 13 (yup, 13) years.
* Hand washed every Tuesday.
* Hand waxed on the first of the month.
* Always dealer serviced (in fact ...over serviced...my service advisor tells me that I have too much time on my hands. I keep my cars clean).
* 72,000 miles.
* 3 pedals own the floor.
* pampered.
* Impecable service file.
* No mods.
* Premium/sport/navigation/etc.
* Last year (2017) was expensive...probably spent $8K on service. Maybe more.
* year before was half that.
* Palm Beach car (Braman MINI). Never left the county.
* I still get a new MINI loaner when getting serviced...and a meal (plus a glass of white wine). And usually a small gift.
* I will never sell my beast.
* Harmon Kardon.
* Car cover (never used), rear window interior mesh screens (love them).
* Perfect in hand out.except for a slight headliner issue and slightly fogged passenger headlight.
* I can't wait to learn to post pictures of my boy. We have a long history.
* I have much more to say..but I must get rolling. I'll take some pictures when I get to my office.
* Please don't slam the door/touch the paint/smoke/eat/or breath in my car.
* I want to share my service records from Braman. Probably battery (Optima) will be next.
* I am out of control when it comes to car maintenance...but many of you are, also.
* Other machine is a 2015 Countryman s. I never drive it.

Until I learn to post some pictures (from my homepage??) I'm challenged..


My best,

Monkey Juice



ps. some tales to share. I hope to get more involved in this wonderful forum. And Zippy is amazing.

 

Welcome to the forum

Let's see a picture of your baby ...

 

Hi, welcome.

 

Pics or your trolling!

 

Why many thanks!


I took a couple of pictures today. I will post them as soon as I can figure out how!!

Best,

Monkey Juice.


ps.

also...

-original paint and floor mats (near perfect).

~I'm will only use Aerospace 303 on the leather an rubber. No leather conditioner. Never.

~ I would never drive with the windows open. No.

~ Once, I had to tow the beast (it went into the limp home mode)...an issue with the harmonic balancer.

~Im getting ready to introduce the beast to its 4th battery. It's not dead...but I don't want to take a chance...and the battery is 38 months old.

~The last service was so expensive because of the strut tower mounts were cracked, I needed a set of tires, alignment, some front end suspension parts, etc.
~Then they replaced the entire A/C system.

~ I know that I way overspend on maintenance..but I like the car and also my service advisor at Braman.

~Plus I'm devoted to dealer care, after a wicked experience at the Mercedes Dealer (fully covered).

~ I carry special black towels to put down...just in case of having to haul groceries, etc.

~I have never serviced the supercharger.

~driven 3 days per week, total of almost 50 miles per week...probably not good.

~ only 20ish mpg (due to short trips).

~ newish tires are noisier than the last set. I forget the brand.

~ I must figure out how to download photo's.

~ I will never sell this machine. no. Way too sweet of a car.

~ I look at so many pictures of other R53's on this forum...and I hope that mine measures up..albiet bone stock.

~ I have near perfect paint. And leather. And carpet. And the mechanical's...I hate to boast...but I do.

~Who knows of a headliner god in Palm Beach County? (I saw a post in another thread...but a name was not mentioned).

~ I have no squeaks /nor rattles!!!

~ I am a very proud man to have this beast for my primary transportation since 2006.

~I'll do my best at posting pictures.

~ No LSD...I don't think?? but I don't really know.

~I'm still on my original BCM.

~The windows need re-programmed sometimes.

~ I park in dent free spaces, and normally in the shade.

~ I am a mess, and a village idiot.

~ I still have every scrap of paper since birth.

~ Mostly, there are much nicer MINI's posted here...but I am proud of mine due to its pampering since new.


~More to come.


ps. I need my front air-scoop re-invented (perhaps dipped?) The clear coat is giving me grief. I'll show a picture...when I figure that part out.

Nearly 14 years of love.

Best,

Monkey Juice

 

Welcome

 

So, since I have a moment...

The other machine is a newer MINI Countryman S (automatic transmission)..mostly loaded. Very low miles, Diamond white/red trim/black leather/ black roof. Not my preferred car. I don't know why we bought it.?. We also lease a BMW 740i..the spouses daily driver. I don't know what year, etc., but it's newer. It's a nice car.


Mostly, I am proud of myself for posting on your fab forum today ( I'm technologically challenged...hahaha). I have been lurking daily for many moons. Zippy once helped me with an issue..under another user name (9 years ago..thanks Zippy). I will be pestering and posting more...so get ready!!

Cheerio,

Monkey Juice

 

Repeat Greets.

I wanted to share my oddest repair on my 2005 MCS.

Well... I was in the fastest lane on I-95...and heard something go "SMACK" real hard.

Jesus Christ...I panicked, and pulled over immediately...which is very dangerous.


I could find no damage...no lights came on ( on the dash)...Figured that it was a rock...but no damage.

Until the next day,,hahaha.

I went to my local gas station to fuel up...inserted the gas pump nozzle...and was not able to remove it! I didn't know what to do! The gas hose would not come out of the filler!! This was many years ago. I had to call Braman MINI to rescue me. They got the hose removed without damaging the paint.

I think that it was about a grand in damage to the plastic parts that connect the gas cap to the tank. Quite embarrassing...as I sat at the pump for 30 minutes waiting for the service truck.

But overall, a very reliable little car.


Oh, and run flat tires aren't as bullet proof as they advertise.

And a battery every 36 months.

And I have a sticky radio volume button.

And I have been through 2 dip-sticks. Both were non-drama.

Mostly, I know that I should be purchasing after market parts (not OEM). But this would mean finding a mechanic that i can trust, etc.

I have more to add... after I have my afternoon cocktails.


Oh my,

Monkey Juice

 

Welcome to NAM.

I lived in Florida for 25 years and recognize without any questions in my mind that you will never really know what a MINI can do until you have driven on some of the twisties along the Appalachian Mountains.

 

OK.

I feel stupid..but how do I add picture? My computer is an Apple.

gosh,


Monkey Juice the idiot

 

I'll try.

 

ok.

 

I am amazed that i figured out how to post a snap. I'm an idiot with a clean car. Hello to all. My god.

 

I'm still learning....

 

Wow. That's real big.

I'm working on it...Give me a moment. I wear colorful pants.

I'm an idiot,

Monkey Juice

 

Top of the morning!

I went through my Monkey Juice file this morning..and was shocked when I added all of the repair/ maintenance costs.

The miles are 72,000.

The total of all service maintenance costs $16,681. (over the last 13 years). Not bad. Right?

But I am guilty of over servicing...probably. And I really like the old boy. Plus, what else could I drive for this kind of $$$? and have this much fun?

Thank you all for the warm welcome. And yes, I have had problems with the expensive dealer service. They always make it right, however. I will continue with them.

Best to all ,

Monkey Juice.

 

Hey Monkey Juice

Welcome to the forum. Reach out to Heather if it is a headliner that you need. 954-551-1571. I used her about a month ago on one of my vehicles.

 

Welcome,

Nice clean R53 and hard to find with the Nav anymore. Looks like you have the premium leather sports seats also. No heated seats which makes sense since it was in FL.

 

Greetings all!

I found a couple of issues this week on Monkey Juice.

The first looks to be a ground wire attached to the hood...rusted through. Should I replace/repair it?

The second is a deformed spark plug wire. Should it be replaced?


Thank you all for any kind advice. I must make this machine last forever.

Best,

Mark

 

That spark plug wire has been chewed on by a mouse or other rodent. I would replace it and the ground wire, to avoid issues in the future.

 

Welcome. Sweet looking R53.

 

Oh my god!!! I am terrified of rodents! Is this a part that I can replace myself? I am reasonably handy. Oh my god!!! And could a rodent get into the cabin of a tightly closed up MINI? I do have the OEM car cover (never used), maybe I could tent the car and fumigate..hahahha.


Best,

Mark

 

I'd give up my refrigerator before I'd give up my old MINI. 13 years (plus) together. 72,300 miles. Well loved. Slight rodent infestation. Rear OEM interior mesh sunscreens. Freshly waxed.


Best,

Mark

 

Now this is my other MINI. Never driven. A birthday gift from my thoughtful spouse. Mistake purchase. Pretty loaded. Probably a nice machine.

Best,

Mark

 

Also,

Many thanks cpm.

I shall give Heather a call.

Best,

Mark