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

R50/53 Dorky cheapskate modification

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  #976  
Old 01-17-2014, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Aikmanson
Except the intercooler is not under the scoop, this ain't no Subaru ha.
Uh huh. Anyone else want to take a crack at this one? It's wide open...
 
  #977  
Old 01-17-2014, 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by astroBlackMetallic_Mini

Uh huh. Anyone else want to take a crack at this one? It's wide open...
Sarcasm to sarcasm.
 
  #978  
Old 01-21-2014, 08:16 AM
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Hmm, they're right! In a first-gen Justa the intercooler simply isn't under the scoop! Neiother is it under the scoop on a second-gen Justa.
But since this thread is a first-gen thread...on a first-gen "S"...

My cheapskate mod: Moog endlinks. 2x thicker than OE, with zerks on the ends, pretty nice, inexpensive "mod".
 
  #979  
Old 02-10-2014, 07:14 AM
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Finally completed my air plate diverter:



Scrap aluminum: $8
Hardware: $4
Ferric Chloride: $12
Vinyl to create etch pattern: $7

Who needs carbon fiber for $180? Etched aluminum FTW!!

C ya,
Dutch
 
  #980  
Old 02-11-2014, 07:24 PM
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Nicely done!

Originally Posted by joe_bfstplk
Finally completed my air plate diverter:



Scrap aluminum: $8
Hardware: $4
Ferric Chloride: $12
Vinyl to create etch pattern: $7

Who needs carbon fiber for $180? Etched aluminum FTW!!

C ya,
Dutch
 
  #981  
Old 02-11-2014, 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by jbat66
Nicely done!

TY! It was a long, stop-and-go kind of project. The piece of aluminum sat for almost a year, then was cut to shape and sat for another year. Things accelerated late last year, when I got the decal I used to keep the shiny bits from getting etched when I poured ferric chloride on the thing. I should've videoed the etching process. VERY active reaction. "Very GRRR, baby, yeah!"

C ya,
Dutch
 
  #982  
Old 02-12-2014, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by DixonL2
Hmm, they're right! In a first-gen Justa the intercooler simply isn't under the scoop! Neiother is it under the scoop on a second-gen Justa.
But since this thread is a first-gen thread...on a first-gen "S"...

My cheapskate mod: Moog endlinks. 2x thicker than OE, with zerks on the ends, pretty nice, inexpensive "mod".
Folks have asked, pics, got 'em from Rock. Zerks came with, greased 'em and they fit like a glove. I'l need to grease 'em when I change tires winter to summer each year, but no issue for me. Of course, the originals went 90kmiles, so they must be pretty OK!
 
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  #983  
Old 04-14-2014, 07:54 PM
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Ipod holder. 13 dollar suction cup mount from target. Cut off suction mount, drilled out the hole on the cup holder. Flexible metal rod fit right in. Reattached the bracket to the tube. Works great!
 
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  #984  
Old 05-10-2014, 03:08 PM
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Some of my cheapskate mods

Plasti Dipped Headlight Trim, Scoop, Mirror Covers, Rim Lips.
Debadged Boot. Added Supercharged Logo.
 
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  #985  
Old 05-10-2014, 03:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ChrisMGreen
Plasti Dipped Headlight Trim, Scoop, Mirror Covers, Rim Lips. Debadged Boot. Added Supercharged Logo.
How did u end up doing your scoop and headlight trim? I really wanna do this.
 
  #986  
Old 05-10-2014, 03:32 PM
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Scoop and Headlight Trim

For the scoop i took it out. For the headlight trim i just masked around it. The glory of Plasti dip is if you get it somewhere you dont want it, it peels off !
Make sure you use the dip right.
Well shaken and warm can
2 light coats, 3 heavy coats. Peel your masking tape right after the last coat to prevent the lines from getting messed up.
If you mess it up. Peel it and start over !
The whole project took about 30 minutes in the hot Texas sun
 
  #987  
Old 05-10-2014, 03:36 PM
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Thanks for info I'll give it a try next week. I've heard the scoop is a pain to remove but I'll try it.
 
  #988  
Old 05-10-2014, 03:39 PM
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Scoop

No worries. I think its only one bolt. If you dont wish to remove it, just mask around it ! dont forget to tape a trash bag to the scoop under the hood so you dont plasti dipp the intercooler ! Ahh. Scary thought
 
  #989  
Old 05-10-2014, 07:28 PM
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Hobo Boredom Therapy: 3M vinyl + heat gun + plenty o patience=
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Reversible & better peeling resistance than dip!!!!
 
  #990  
Old 05-10-2014, 08:48 PM
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Hey can you tell my how you removed the rings ? I'm really wanting to do mine
 
  #991  
Old 05-10-2014, 09:39 PM
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Vinyl'd my rings matte silver w/o removing them. Those were way easier than the gas cap & handles.
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Last edited by minsanity; 05-10-2014 at 10:06 PM.
  #992  
Old 05-11-2014, 09:09 AM
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Has anyone ever vinyl wrapped their dashboard? I think I want something apart from the brushed silver look.
 
  #993  
Old 05-11-2014, 09:11 AM
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Has anyone vinyl wrapped their dashboard and other interior stuff? I think I want something other than the brushed silver look.
 
  #994  
Old 05-11-2014, 09:14 AM
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Actually this just popped up on another forum. For $2-300 including high-end materials and labour it's reasonable I think.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=769359
 
  #995  
Old 05-11-2014, 05:00 PM
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Good question times 2.
 
  #996  
Old 05-11-2014, 05:19 PM
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Vinyl-Plasti Dip Interior

I just did this today. Its not vinyl, its plasti dip but it came out awesome. Im gonna plasti dip the brushed silver matte black this week sometime. Ill post pics when I do
 
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  #997  
Old 05-11-2014, 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by mrathburn
Has anyone vinyl wrapped their dashboard and other interior stuff? I think I want something other than the brushed silver look.

Yes


Dry carbon Dash etc.

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  #998  
Old 05-12-2014, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by joe_bfstplk
TY! It was a long, stop-and-go kind of project. The piece of aluminum sat for almost a year, then was cut to shape and sat for another year. Things accelerated late last year, when I got the decal I used to keep the shiny bits from getting etched when I poured ferric chloride on the thing. I should've videoed the etching process. VERY active reaction. "Very GRRR, baby, yeah!"

C ya,
Dutch
Looks good. I've may one for myself and a number of them for others.
 
  #999  
Old 05-12-2014, 08:22 AM
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I love the carbon. I did mine with black leather with red stitching. It came from here: Top Gaiters.
The quality is good the price is good. You have to apply it to the existing dash. But it pops off to make it easier.
 
  #1000  
Old 02-27-2015, 11:52 PM
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Alright here is my contribution.

If you need somewhere to hide a remote for a garage door or gate just use some velcro and attach it in the little cubby underneath the switches

 


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