R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Dorky cheapskate modification

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  #776  
Old 09-24-2012, 04:37 PM
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Hey Dale, I would run with that idea and get some black bonnet stripes made the same width as the blidge vents. It would tie everything together nicely.
 
  #777  
Old 09-24-2012, 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by DICKS GARAGE R53
Hey Dale, I would run with that idea and get some black bonnet stripes made the same width as the blidge vents. It would tie everything together nicely.
+1, would be "stealth mean". Need also license plate that reads "Bilge" - or maybe that's over the top?
 
  #778  
Old 10-02-2012, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Ords
Whomever originally thought of this, was a genius.... I of course went out during my lunch break at work, supplied with exactly what and where I was looking for and got them all for $2.74, and they look just as good as above. Wow guys, great thinking. AGAIN. Can't wait till someone comes up with another one of these "Should have been factory" mods........
 
  #779  
Old 10-03-2012, 06:29 AM
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I have been working on blacking out my car. Recently blacked out the inside of my headlights and chrome around the headlights.

Was too cheap to buy a new grill. So i used the plasti dip to black out the bottom lip of the grill. For the upper part, I used some scrap metal I had and painted it black and cut and bent it to shape. Then hacked up the old grill to keep the frame of it and blacked that out as well. Looks aftermarket now!

Have some small rock chips that I am going to try and fix with the Mini paint kit I bought yesterday. I removed the bra as it was yellowing and immediately got rock dings. Need to buy a new one asap!

Plan on blacking out rest of car shortly.
 
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  #780  
Old 10-03-2012, 06:34 AM
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Also made a custom phone holder for me to put my iphone in and hook up my Aux cable to. I cut an opening in the right side of it as well for a charger port to fit through so I can charge my phone.

I took a scrap piece of metal tubing and flattened one end of it and drilled a hole in it. I then used a big piece of heat shrink to pretty it up. I bought the Scosche phone holder with the crappy suction cup. Took it apart and it has a flexible tube that had a small screw holding it to the suction cup assembly. So i unscrewed it and screwed it in to the end of the pipe I had which was a perfect fit!

Then I just used the existing bolt in the side pillar there to bolt it to. I can swivel it up and down and with the flexible tube, bend it left, right, up, and down as well.

Best thing I have done!
 
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  #781  
Old 10-03-2012, 07:19 AM
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EDIT: wrong forum
 
  #782  
Old 10-05-2012, 06:55 AM
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Bluetooth

Happy to report I got the little bluetooth dodad and now can use the iphone with out plugging it all in. What a great concept. Thanks guys!

Here's what I went with...


$8.99
Amazon Amazon



$1.90

Amazon Amazon


$7

Amazon Amazon

the charger was 29.99 @ best buy, no wonder they are headed south
 
  #783  
Old 10-10-2012, 06:03 AM
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MCS spare tire mount: Total cost = one tie-down and an old VW Passat 15" spare:

 
  #784  
Old 10-10-2012, 08:33 AM
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Originally Posted by XXLil MickXX
Happy to report I got the little bluetooth dodad and now can use the iphone with out plugging it all in. What a great concept. Thanks guys!

Here's what I went with...


$8.99
http://www.amazon.com/Patazon-Blueto...+Stereo+Dongle



$1.90

http://www.amazon.com/ECOMGEAR-Auxil...mm+audio+cable


$7

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-Powerj...sb+car+charger

the charger was 29.99 @ best buy, no wonder they are headed south

How is the audio quality using that setup?

I had a
Griffin BlueTrip Aux Griffin BlueTrip Aux
and was unhappy with it. The audio quality was acceptable, but lost any little bass my car had and would music would not get as loud as the speakers allowed me before using the product.
 
  #785  
Old 10-10-2012, 09:27 AM
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The audio and volume seem great. I don't "crank it up" but I don't notice anything odd at all. Seems to be pretty flawless I'll turn it up real loud and let you know for sure.
 
  #786  
Old 10-15-2012, 01:16 PM
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Here's another USB power option that also adds an extra lighter socket. Fits nicely in the cup holder right next to the existing lighter socket.
Amazon Amazon
 
  #787  
Old 10-15-2012, 02:12 PM
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Installed LaminX gunsmoke film on the headlights and Red on the tailights.





Here's it with all the lights on:

 
  #788  
Old 10-15-2012, 02:21 PM
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Maybe post some pics where we can see the film...?
 
  #789  
Old 10-15-2012, 02:48 PM
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In the sun..






 
  #790  
Old 10-15-2012, 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by TheBlade
Have some small rock chips that I am going to try and fix with the Mini paint kit I bought yesterday. I removed the bra as it was yellowing and immediately got rock dings. Need to buy a new one asap!

Plan on blacking out rest of car shortly.
You should try some clear acrylic spray to seal up your touch-up job. The previous owner of my dad's MCS used some when fixing some rock chips before selling the car and it still looks flawless. You can even use it to protect the side mirrors and the roof. I wish I had known that after spending all day mending my paint only to have it get messed up again.
 
  #791  
Old 10-16-2012, 09:10 AM
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LethalR53 - Looks AWESOME!!!! Great Job!!
 
  #792  
Old 10-20-2012, 06:03 AM
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  #793  
Old 10-21-2012, 01:20 PM
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So genius!!
 
  #794  
Old 10-22-2012, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by mziol
So genius!!
Sarcasam I take it?
 
  #795  
Old 10-23-2012, 12:24 PM
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That's brilliant! Still qualifies as a Dorky Cheapskate Mod at $15, but... We The Enlightened Cheapskates know the costs there are pretty minimal... Wow...
 
  #796  
Old 10-23-2012, 12:37 PM
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For those who want an easy way to black out the airbag ring on the steering wheel, 3m electrical tape is the perfect width, reversible and easy to install.
 
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  #797  
Old 10-23-2012, 12:43 PM
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I don't know if this was posted before but I have a modification that is FREE and you DON'T had to make any modifications to your car!!

The passenger foot well fits a large pizza box essentially perfectly. Just move the seat back to allow the box to be put in the foot well on the floor at a gradual angle (don't need to pizza sliced on itself in the box.)
 
  #798  
Old 10-23-2012, 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnW94
I don't know if this was posted before but I have a modification that is FREE and you DON'T had to make any modifications to your car!!

The passenger foot well fits a large pizza box essentially perfectly. Just move the seat back to allow the box to be put in the foot well on the floor at a gradual angle (don't need to pizza sliced on itself in the box.)
LOL! But if you put it on the seat and you have seat warmers, you can keep the pizza warm on your way home
 
  #799  
Old 10-23-2012, 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Day177017
LOL! But if you put it on the seat and you have seat warmers, you can keep the pizza warm on your way home
I keep it on the floor because with how I drive, the pizza would be on my lap shortly after putting it on the seat.
 
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by JohnW94
I don't know if this was posted before but...
Yeah I'd say your the 1st!
 


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