In order to keep track of things and keep all y’all up-to-date, I’m starting a new section here. For this, the inargural post, written before taking her back to Crevier to have them look at the clutch, I’ve assembled a list of priority items that I would like to get done.
- Tires. At least 2 need to be replaced, sooner than later.
- Rear brakes. Rotors and pads as soon as I get the right tool.
- Struts and springs, donated by Chad Miller at Detroit Tuned (THANKS CHAD!)
- Whatever else needs to be repaired or replaced on the front end.
- Radiator and/or thermostat. I need to find the leak.
- Valve cover and oil pan gasket. I already found that leak
- Replace drive belt and tensioner.
- New rear sway bar. New rear upper control arms.
If you would be interested in helping out, Todd has created a new Motoringbadge and decal to do just that.
Earlier this week, Jack Belcher passed away. He was a long time member of SCMM, raced his MINI at Bonneville and was a great guy. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the chance to know him.
The following is a reprint from the upcoming SCMM newsletter, written by George Marsh. Photos at the end are also courtesy of George.
Jack Belcher, loving husband, father, motorsports enthusiast and true friend to those who knew him, passed away on August 26.
Jack was a part of the early days of SCMM and continued to be an active member in the club until his death. Jack’s friendship, generosity and warm sense of humor will be truly missed by all who knew him.
His enthusiasm for motorsports was evident from his highly-decorated MINI Cooper S, to the artwork adorning the walls of his home.
Jack was a ‘car guy’ and his passion for the sport was contagious. He sponsored the Belcher Cup Go-Kart Racing Series for the club, even though he didn’t race the karts himself, and provided medals and trophies for the series winners.
Racing his MINI on the Bonneville Salt Flats was a life-long dream that he ful?lled in 2006, and it was Jack who got other SCMM members excited about the Salt Flats and encouraged them to join him in following years.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marge and the entire Belcher family.
View the photos on Flickr as well.
Right after MINIs in the Mountains, I get a call from our man Todd. He got an idea. Phone calls and emails ensue and a plan is formed. A plan to keep my MINI up and running to 300k miles and, hopefully beyond!
To celebrate the 300th episode of White Roof Radio and to get my MINI back into the proper shape an official mascot should be in, Motoringbadges.com has issues a new, commerative badge (see above).
For $10 you will get the 300 – 300K badge and the WRR Supporter decal! And, 100% of the proceeds (after costs, taxes, fees and Todd’s Bourbon of the Month membership) will go directly into parts and service to keep this MINI:
Running the way a MINI should, especially one that is the mascot for the World Famous White Roof Radio!
If you don’t want a badge, but still would like to help out, just click the button below. Any amount, any time.
Running the way a MINI should, especially one that is the mascot for the World Famous White Roof Radio!
Apologies for those of you that saw this via Twitter or Facebook. I’m just trying to get this in front of as many eyes as possible.
Employment Wanted
Most of you already know that I have been, for the most part, unemployed for the past 15 months. While the small projects and part time computer repair is fun, it’s starting to cause serious stress on my part and I need it to change.
If you know of anyone or anyplace that is currently hiring for any job, any position located anywhere in Southern California (San Diego, Riverside and Orange Counties preferred), I would like to let you know that I’m your guy.
Read the full post here. You can even grab my resume while you are there, just in case.
The MINI is once again back in my driveway. Time to lay down the PSA to those of you with high mileage MINIs.
So it’s know, the original quote for this from Crevier MINI was $2600. It’s not what I paid, but that’s the quote. This includes:
- Clutch parts
- Flywheel
- Brake Cleaner and Fluid
- Transmission Fluid
- 10-15 hour of labor
Huge props to Crevier for not only doing a top notch job, but also for doing only the work that I requested and not pressuring me to have other services done. Also, for not charging me full price. Besides not charging me full price, I also saved on having to rent a car because Crevier offers their customers free loaner cars. Finally, another $15 saved on a car wash. All together, my total savings were close to $1,000 (if I would have rented a car) which is substantial.
I did think about having the work done at an independant shop, but decided against it at the last minute for no other reason than I believe the reason that my MINI has 214,303 miles on it now is that the bulk of the service and repairs have been completed by the dealer. That being said, for the bulk of the remaining repairs I probably won’t be going back to the dealer for no other reason that an hour of shop time costs $160.00.
So, if you are getting up in miles, time to start saving up.
Keep this in mind also. If, for any reason, warranty repairs necessitate the removal of your transmission, have them replace the clutch! You’ll be able to go a bit longer and get new parts for only the cost of parts. That’s what I did at 49k miles when my transmission was replaced and it’s why I’ve been able to drive to over 200k miles on my current unit.
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