Another day, another repair. This time more maintenance than anything else; front brakes. Been awhile since I had last done them and they were due. Pads were down to a thickness that was the same as maybe 5 sheets of paper? Rotors were still in pretty ok shape and I probably could have turned them to get another set of pads on them, but it’s not that much more expensive to replace than to turn.
As per my usual, EBC Greens went on. I also stuck with the Centric rotors since I’m not doing anything more punishing then commuting to work every day. I’m really impressed with the wear on the last set too, so I’m confident this set will perform just as well.
And, for the first time since I’m too embarrassed to admit, I had the fluid swapped. I forgot what a huge difference that makes. It’s also the reason why I had my brakes done instead of doing them myself. I don’t have the tools and equipment to do a fluid swap and it’s cheaper for me to have it done, and way less frustrating too.
And with that, the list of major repairs that Roxy needs is now complete! Moving on to the should have list which consists of some of the following.
So, now Roxy sits are about 98%. I’m more than pleased with that.
(2) commentsThis past weekend ended the 2012 running of the Barrett Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. This isn’t like the one in Vegas or Orange County, California taking only 2 days with only a handfull of cars. This is the mother of all automobile auctions, running for an entire 7 day week. Imagine your county fair. Now, replace all of the FFA/high school science class/art exhibits with cool cars. And don’t put in a midway. And quadruple the food offerings.
That’s Barrett Jackson. And for the first time in my life, I got to go. (Read on…)
(0) CommentsJust in case you missed it on MotoringFile or Facebook, BMW is in the process of issuing a recall for all 2007 – 2011 R5x and R60 MINI Coopers with the turbo charged engine. The recall is for the auxiliary water pump, which is supposed to cool the turbo after the car is turned off. Problem is that pump doesn’t always work. As you can imagine, with catastrophic results.
Now, here’s the thing. I’ve actually read the entire recall notice from BMW, 3 times and it says, specifically, that dealers are not to release any MINIs on the lot without performing the recall repair. They also are not to hold customer cars or perform repairs on customer cars UNTIL a service bulletin has been drafted and released.
I say this because I know you. I know you already called your dealer and came close to having kittens because they didn’t know anything about it. Or, there wasn’t anything they could do to help you right now and couldn’t tell you why.
You will be notified about the recall and your MINI will be fixed. Just keep in mind that this recall is affecting approximately 90,000 MINIs in the US, not just you. Now, if you aren’t the original owner of your MINI, you might not find out through normal channels. Stay tuned to Motoringfile or White Roof Radio because we will keep you updated with the latest information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, I would avoid parking your MINI in a garage or under any cover, just in case.
If your MINI Cooper S is older than 2007 (or 2009, I think, for your Cabrio owners), this does not affect you. This only affects MINIs with the turbo charged engine built between 2007 and 2011.
(9) commentsLast Friday I was at Otto’s MINI for their grand opening (full report to follow). And that’s where I got to see not only a Roadster, but a JCW Roadster.
I didn’t get the chance to take any photos while I was there, just this bit of video. What a great looking MINI.
With the top down.
Anyone see this with the top up yet? In person? I wasn’t that impressed. Definitely a top-down kind of car.
1 commentHappy New Year from all of us at dbmini. Turns out, we also get a nice Happy New Year from MINIUSA, in the shape of a new addition to the configurator; The MINI Roadster (R59)!
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this MINI, and I haven’t seen it in person, but there, in Cooper Trim (with small bits of tan on the interior), sure has a classic look to it. And, as an added bonus, comes in about $15k cheaper than the JCW model.
We’ve already had some crazy responses over on the WRR Facebook page. How did yours turn out?
(0) Comments
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