(Part 3) Top products from r/MINI

I would recommend signing up to some classic mini forums, the best one I have found is The Mini Forum lots of great advice also lots of projects and ideas to read about.

I would recommend 'The Yellow Bible' (as it is know to classic owners) for excellent information about all the 'A' series engines.

I own a copy of this which has some excellent and interesting information about the models.

Haynes also do a 'restoration' manual that you might find interesting if you decide to persue ownership.

Where abouts are you from? It could be worth looking up a local club and trying to meet up with owners to get some infomation - I've always found this useful as most of them are very knowledgeable and very willing to help!

Feel free to AMA - I'll try to help as much as I can!

Mine get tons of carbon buildup as well (2013 R60). I have black tips so it's not obvious, but it's definitely there.

Cleaning tips: Get the following items:

• A long, thin wheel brush like this: https://www.amazon.com/Household-Cleaning-Multi-purpose-Motorcycle-Bathroom/dp/B071RYMKVP
  
• Some cheap microfiber towels.
  
• a PowerBall Mini or PowerCone (I like the cone better): https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-05146-PowerCone-Metal-Polishing/dp/B001MXTOKQ
  
• Decent all-purpose cleaner like Simple Green
  
• Decent wheel and tire cleaner. I like Meguiar's Hot Rims myself: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G9524-Rims-Wheel-Cleaner/dp/B0009IQXM2
  
• Optional: Chrome & aluminum polish: https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-California-Gold-Chrome-Polish/dp/B006VU37AS
  
  Start by spraying the wheel cleaner in and around the tip. Let it sit for a minute then agitate with the wheel brush. Spray some water in there after agitation to rinse the crud out. Follow it up with a spray of Simple Green. Place the microfiber towel around the wheel brush and agitate again. This'll get the little bits that the stiff brush left behind. Rinse again.
  
  Then attach the powercone to your drill. dunk the powercone into soapy water. Put it inside the tip and spin it. This gets the inside pretty darn clean.
  
  You can clean the outside with the same products. It typically doesn't need it as bad and a simple wipedown with simple green and a microfiber is usually good enough. You can always shine it up with the chrome polish as well, if it needs it.
  

I purchased the genuine MINI Protective Boot Space Cover (for 2002 - 2013), PN 51470140121, for this same need. Some of the latches and loops don't meet up perfectly (because it's used on a number of different models) but the fit is fantastic. There's even a flap that folds down to hang over the bumper so the dog doesn't scratch the paint getting in and out of the boot.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UW4CCU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_bzYszbRH9KW75

Looks like this has since been discontinued, but there's a number of places that make customer covers with the same functionality, although they can be quite pricey.

http://www.boot-buddy.com/mini/clubman-2007-2014-with-optional-raised-boot-floor

Good luck!

I bought these for my 2011 (same wipers). I recommend them highly. They're awesome. You don't need to reuse the original clips on the wipers, the arms are standard sizes (they look like this, also from MiniMania). The clips that comes with those PIAAs will fit your car. This is true for most store bought ones as well. The reason I recommend the PIAAs is because the cheap store ones will chatter at highway speeds and the PIAAs will not.

You need an 18" and a 19".

EDIT: All of that is wrong, my bad. Here's the OEM ones from ECS https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/61610039343/ES2590747/

I did not know of this company before your comment but unfortunately it looks like the r53 isn't supported. I found a box at a dodgey audio shop here in town for 50 bucks that seems to fit the bill. It's available on amazon for 35 and free ship but I'm sometimes impatient and wanted bass in my life again. Thanks for the suggestion at any rate.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0013N0UCQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1420002811&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

I’ve been working on my display and wiring setup for a while now and I’m finally happy with it so I thought I would share it with r/mini. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. This is one of my first posts so if I messed up, that’s why.

Links:

Ultragauge: http://www.ultra-gauge.com/ultragauge/

Aluminum GPS Mount: http://www.cravenspeed.com/mini-gps-mounting-kits/

AUX in: http://www.minicarparts.net/Instructions/M3367_Instructions.cfm

Phone/ipod holder: http://amzn.com/B009GMKT0Y

Charging cable: http://amzn.com/B000EFVGV8

gold plated AUX cable: http://amzn.com/B004LTEUDO

Antenna: http://www.cravenspeed.com/products/The-Stubby-Antenna.html

Inverter: http://amzn.com/B004MDXS0U

Lights: I don’t remember exactly, but if someone want the link then I can look more. They were like $25 total.

I've got a Convertible R57. One of my daughters (4) uses the Graco Nautilus. My other daughter (2) uses the Alpha Omega (though I cut off the stupid "pillow" thing). The kiddos both have room, and cup holders Whee!!, and the wife has no problems. Admittedly, the wife is pretty short (she's Asian), and the 4 year old is behind her, but the kiddos have never complained, and the wife feels fine, too.

Hope that helps!

I didn't even know tire socks were a thing.

I bought this Super Z6 SZ129 for this trip, I tried it on and fits nicely. Never used for real though.

Update 1: I check the correct size/model in here http://www.peerlesschain.com/tire-chain-finder/traction/tirechains

NGK sells their plug wires on amazon. And they're blue!

They also have the plugs.

I know way sells a kit with the belts,plugs, and pulley. Might be worth checking prices for the best deal.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019HK57MY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one. I would recommend getting the older version of it because this took substantial modification to fit. And it eliminates the whistling at high speed I was experiencing.



Older version here.

https://www.amazon.com/Thule-870XT-Roof-Fairing-32-Inches/dp/B00152SA4K/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1487434555&sr=1-4&keywords=thule%2Bfairing&th=1&psc=1

As the owner of my second 2005 MCS, this is also the first thought that popped into my head. This, plus a trusted mechanic.

PS: I just bought that 36mm socket on Amazon. Less than $10.

Thank you! I followed this guide as closely as possible: https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50352-how-detail-your-engine-like-professional.html

Basically first used saran wrap around and electrical, lightly hosed off everything, sprayed with cleaner (i used Gunk Foamy Engine degreaser which was 5 bucks at auto zone), let sit for 10-15 minutes, used brush to scrub everything, sprayed off again with water, let it dry, then sprayed with Gunk Engine Shine

ahh gotcha. I just go with SYLVANIA H13 XtraVision. These are a bit brighter than OEM and best bang for your buck. there are higher end versions but they don't last as long.

More detail of what is in mine (ie: the second pic in the link above):

• MINI wheel locks (with a socket wrench, which isn't pictured)
  
• Ice scraper
  
• A small mesh bag with a Garmin GPS and a Gerber multitool
  
• Tripp-lite power inverter
  
• Jumper cables
  
• Tow hook
  
• A "Oh Sh*t" bag that contains Mainstay Emergency Food Rations, a survival kit and a first aid kit
  
• MINI bag with a spare quart of oil
  
• A handful of bungee cords in assorted sizes
  
  I LOVE that lower compartment. So great to have all the random items I might need available, but out of the way and out of sight.

I used PIAA 168 Xtreme white wedge bulbs.
https://www.amazon.com/PIAA-19172-Xtreme-White-Wedge/dp/B0002MAHK4

And thank you! I loooove it

something like this https://www.amazon.ca/Neiko-03421A-Adjustable-Filter-Adapter/dp/B000UD0CTQ

​

That doesn't look too stripped.. Are you using the correct size socket? deep 27mm 6pt

I'm usually not a fan of tow hooks. But I put the "Pull to inflate" sticker above it and now I just think it fits. I fabricated my own case and threw in an air intake from amazon.
It barely fit heh.

Mityvac 7400 7.3 Liter Fluid Evacuator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFJM14/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_2xALzbMPCMQSV

It appears the one I used and the one you're talking about are the same one. Mine was new so no issues with leaking, yet.

I read about a product called Back to Black from Mother's on NAM that has a lot of fans:
http://www.amazon.com/automotive/dp/B0002U1TXK