Candy Gram for Mongo
Posted in My MINI,Project: Roxy — by db on 05/28/10

Look at what Chad sent me. For those of you that don’t know what that is, it is a passenger lower trim piece for a 2003 R50 MINI Cooper. Oddly enough, the exact same piece that I have been missing for a few years. The exact same piece that has been driving you crazy that it’s been missing for a few years.

I’ve got to take care of things from the MINI of Loveland Grand Opening and when I’m done, I’m going to install it.

And I was hoping for a telethon.

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Side Scuttles
Posted in My MINI,Project: Roxy — by db on 05/24/10
sidescuttel

Shot next to the missing trim piece, just for you

As you can see from the example above, you could say I’m way overdue for replacements. The other side is completely broken as well so it is definitely time.

I’m always amazed when there are huge arguements about them. I mean, it’s just some ornamental trim on the side of the MINI. But, amazingly, when swapped with the OEM units, it does make a huge difference. On my car, the originals were black with orange lenses. I don’t want to put them back.

So, what say you? Should I stick with Chrome? Should I put the stock ones back on, maybe with white lights? Should I do something crazy?

Comments are open. What say you?

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Door handle repair
Posted in My MINI,Project: Roxy — by db on 05/23/10

See that? That is the door lock mechanism for a MINI Cooper (click through for the how-to at NAM). For those of you that follow along at twitter, you might remember reading last week that my door stopped opening from the inside. So, since I was successful in the fuel pump replacement on Friday, this should be an easy fix.

My fingers are numb and my right hand is covered with grease, but I at least I know 2 things; how to get at the door lock mechanism and how to replace it.

The piece labeled “Inner door lock cable attach point” on mine has worn out. If I had to guess, the spring inside has sprung it’s last time, causing the door pull to not open the door.

The door is locking and does open from the outside. Slightly inconvenient, but it works. Depending on the cost of this part, I might be doing that for a while. I will not be entering and exiting my car like one of the Duke Boys, so get those thoughts out of your head.

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My First
Posted in How Do I...?,My MINI — by db on 05/21/10

My fuel pump cherry was busted wide open today. After 230k miles and pumping over 8k gallons of fuel, I’m ok with that.

For those of you wondering, this job is very simple unless you have issues with the smell of petrol. Took me about 20 minutes start to finish using nothing more than a 10mm socket and my trusty Swiss Army Knife to pry open the inspection plate.

Some notes.

  • On the R50, the fuel pump is located under the rear seat, drivers side
  • It is not necessary to hold any of the hoses or wires up with anything. They don’t fall too far into the tank. I did use bailing wire to hold those up and it did help.
  • A special tool is not needed to remove the ring. Helpful, but not needed
  • Good idea to disconnect the battery before you start. At least I did, you know, just in case.
  • Open the doors and the boot. Gas fumes, duh.
  • When you put the new pump into the tank, you might think it doesn’t fit. Press down. It is supposed to do that.
  • If you need this, don’t discount the dealer’s parts desk. MINI Of Ontario sells it for about $280, Napa wanted $320

I thought it was fairly straightforward and not to difficult, but your mileage may vary. Thanks to Mr. Miller for the assist via SMS and to my Dad for the extra hand to hold things in place. And, special thanks to me for saving me a big pile of cash on doing this myself. A 40 mile tow and hour of service is a pretty penny you know.

And, finally, don’t be afraid to attempt repairs such as this yourself. Y’all know I’m short on cash, so I’m especially motivated. I’m also a tremendous cheap skate and am willing to attempt things in order to save a few hundred bucks.

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It helps when I add a title
Posted in Op/Ed — by db on 05/14/10

230k

Did you see this post that Gabe recently posted on Motoringfile?

Ok we’ve had it. We need a break from our regular programing to say a few things. We all critique MINI and wish it had this and that but the truth is we are MotoringFile and we love this damn car. There’s nothing else like it and frankly we’d be really pissed if it ever went away. It’s fast, it’s stylish and it’s (relatively) affordable for how incredibly good it is.

Here here Mr. Bridger! Listen to the next Woofcast to see how and why that post came about. And might I say, it’s about time.

Here are my completions to the Top 10 list.

8.) It’s extremely reliable. As the owner of an ’03 R50 with over 230k miles on the odometer, I can say that. Proudly!

9.) Even with as many miles as I have. Even with the cost of the repairs I’ve undergone (and still have left). Even with still missing a piece of my lower trim that drives all y’all to absolute distraction. Even with all of that, it is still the best car that I have ever owned.

10.) Without the MINI, there would be no White Roof Radio or Motoringfile and I would have never met any of those guys or those of you that I have met in person. That would suck.

I’m with Gabe. It’s time the bickering stop. It’s time the complaining stops. It is time we remember what brought us all here in the first place and enjoy that to the fullest extent that we possibly can.

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