My new MINI

[SilverBeam]

Officially checking in.

2004 MINI Cooper S
Electric Blue/White with Black interior
Premium Package
Sport Package
Panoramic Roof
6 speed

I purchased the car two weeks ago from the original owner-- a woman in her 60s who bought the car cash in 2004 and proceeded to only drive it 34,000 miles :eyecrazy I had to have it in short.

The HK Amp was busted so I replaced the audio system in the car. It has:

Kenwood Exelon KDC-X994 headunit
MB Quart Discus line rear speakers
Infiniti Kappa line front speakers
Kenwood KAC-8405 amp
Rockford Fosgate Punch 500.2 amp
Rockford Fosgate P3SD412 shallow mount sub

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/cars/mini/IMG_7775.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/cars/mini/IMG_7783-Edit.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/cars/mini/IMG_7753.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/cars/mini/IMG_7699.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/cars/mini/IMG_7669-Edit.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/silverbeam/Miscellaneous/2ed919ad.jpg

[ffkk]

Looks Great!

[carguy101]

Hey congrats! I love the pic with the loading dock sign hahahahah. So wait your a female?

[SilverBeam]

Last time I checked I was, yes.

[carguy101]

Really?! That is sick! I had always thought you were some older guy in his 40s because you are very knowledgeable, and come across as very mature. You definitely are one of the coolest girls, ever!! (I am not some internet troll who hasn't seen a live one in months...) Congrats, you are full of win!

[SilverBeam]

Lol, it's not every day someone tells me they thought I was a 40 year old man :D

[carguy101]

Lol, it's not every day someone tells me they thought I was a 40 year old man :D

HAHA yeah I bet, but that is not what I meant. I meant no offense by that comment, you know what I mean I hope

[beken]

That's a very nice looking car. Congratulations.

...and the photography is very good also.

[Destro]

Very nice car. Now you need a 15% pulley.

[Pino]

Nice upgrade :thumbup:

Those mouldings look pretty good, but you should check out Forever Black if you dont know about it already. It's black plastic dye/conditioner. Makes a huge difference on the black moulding minis.

[SilverBeam]

Thanks! I use Poorboy's Trim Restorer which I like. Unfortunately there is a pesky spot of polish on the back fender I'm having trouble getting off.

As for a pully... I'm considering one. I need to do my research into modifications and I also need to give my bank account a rest. I've been hard on the MINI since I got it with three track days and I've been doing a lot of preventative maintenance as well. In the past month I've:

replaced all four tires with non-run flats
replaced the expansion tank (still need to do the thermostat)
replaced the motor mount
replaced battery
replaced the front pads and rotors (today)
oil change
coolant flush
brake flush
filter change
Oh and that whole system thinggy

total cost: ~$2,000 :eyecrazy :eyecrazy :eyecrazy

I want to do the thermostat and power steering fan still after that I'll have some piece of mind and can start to think about modifications. I really want some more low end power. I found that if I come out of a corner with anything less than 4000 RMP at the track I lose all my momentum, which really sucks if there is a car with more HP in front of you slowing you down, because then they don't want to let you pass. :shifty I also think some exhaust would sound nice and I need to make sure my new brakes have solved my stopping problems at the track, otherwise I'll have to look into brake cooling systems and stainless steel lines, which I might just do before my next track day anyways.

[MINIGURU]

Definetly put the Pulley (http://www.waymotorworks.com/15-supercharger-pulley-wmw.html)and a rear swaybar (http://www.waymotorworks.com/h-sport-competition-rear-sway-bar.html)at the top of your list. Those will be the two biggest bang for the buck mods you can do. And that pulley will be the biggest help coming out of that corner at the track, but the swaybar will let you go through it faster.

[SilverBeam]

What are the differences between the 15, 16 and 17 percent pullies and what can I expect it to do to the reliability of the supercharger?

[toovo1985]

Amazing car...I'm hoping one day i'll own one of those... I'm definitely a MINI lover!!! Still can't afford it...but my time will come

[Ridgeway]

I generally don't care for light blues, but that color looks stunning on the Cooper.

[pizzaman09]

Fantastic looking car! My family is possibly looking at a yellow one with black stripes tomorrow.

Does any one know if a normal BMW dealer will service a MINI? The closest MINI dealer is about 100 miles away. :(

[SilverBeam]

Fantastic looking car! My family is possibly looking at a yellow one with black stripes tomorrow.

Does any one know if a normal BMW dealer will service a MINI? The closest MINI dealer is about 100 miles away. :(

It differs from place to place, you should call and ask. If it isn't under warranty don't even bother with bringing it to a dealer though.

[pizzaman09]

It differs from place to place, you should call and ask. If it isn't under warranty don't even bother with bringing it to a dealer though.

Why not take it to a dealer out of warranty?

[wolffbimmer]

Because it will cost you an
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y208/dusten/ArmAndLeg.jpg

Nice car though OP, although i'd want a vintage one. Have fun with it.

[SilverBeam]

Yeah, what he said. Around here the dealership charges $30 more an hour in labor over independent shops for the same quality work. In fact many indies are enthusiasts, they race the cars, they appreciate the cars, they live and breath the cars, where that kind of enthusiasm is often lacking from a dealership. Find a good, trustworthy mechanic and they can do pretty much anything a dealership could do at substantial savings.

[pizzaman09]

This may sound strange to you all, but if there is one dealer in my town that wont rip you off and screw you over until there is nothing left, it is the BMW dealer. They are known for not ripping people off unlike every one else in town.

There is also only one decent BMW Indy here. I use to go to him to service the Benz I owned but it was inconvenient with him flying to Germany every two weeks to visit his mother. I am happy with the BMW dealer for service, even if it is more expensive than an indy, they are quick, have amazing service, and they are only three miles from where I live.

Also sorry for jacking your thread SilverBeam.

[AnimatedZombie]

You'll enjoy it

[dmad]

Excellent pictures!!! Are you semi pro - pro photographer also???

[SilverBeam]

Nah, just an amateur with a DSLR. Thanks

[Iwantoneofthose]

Does any one know if a normal BMW dealer will service a MINI? The closest MINI dealer is about 100 miles away. :(

according to a friend who's a master tech at the BMW dealer, BMW wants to keep all things separate, and while they can get away with doing simple stuff on MINI's (mostly t-stat's) all the major work stays with MINI techs. Your mileage may vary, so check with your service advisor at the BMW dealer and they can give you more info. That said, at this particular dealer BMW and MINI are on the same lot...so your BMW may not have some of the special tools for MINI's (assuming there are).


OP - nice Cooper S! Has the non run flats made a lot of difference?

[SilverBeam]

I have no regrets from taking those tires off!

[MiniDude824]

What tracks are you running at?
Also if your in orange and want a hand doing your tstat or anything else ill come up and help no charge.
Check out Motoring Underground
Motoring alliance and
what we call a shit hole, NAM.
Nam is good for an archive and thats about it.
Congrats on the car I love Electric blue.
Do a 15% pulley if your tracking
16% is a marketing gimick 17% starts to overwork the supercharger.

[AnimatedZombie]

I've heard that the MINI is a chic car. Is that true?

[Hornung418]

I've heard that the MINI is a chic car. Is that true?
Tell that to my 73 year old grandfather and he'll whoop your ass lol. He get's in more trouble with his Clubman S/6spd than he did with his 05 Mustang GT, which he sold...to buy the MINI...:shifty

[AnimatedZombie]

Alright