hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« on: September 08, 2023, 06:39:21 PM » |
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 The white Mini is a 2005 R53 supercharged one, the first generation of the new Minis. It is the only new car I ever bought, I can't imagine liking a car more. At 230,000 miles, it has no value and, like our Valkyries, there are some important parts that are hard to get or that you can't get. The red one is a 2nd generation, 2015. There's a third generation now. The coupes like the red one caught my eye back when they came out (2011-2015) when I'd bring mine in for service. Beside the passenger, it fits one guitar and no dogs (unless the dog is the passenger)... -Mike |
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« Last Edit: September 08, 2023, 06:41:53 PM by hubcapsc »
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2023, 07:33:43 PM » |
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I’ve always liked them (I think) because I spent three years in England and they were everywhere. They were the British ones though not the German ones.
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2023, 07:36:25 PM » |
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What parts can’t be bought anymore?
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Valkorado
Member
Posts: 10491
VRCC DS 0242
Gunnison, Colorado (7,703') Here there be twisties.
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« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2023, 09:28:33 PM » |
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Sweet, it doesn't even look like an old man car!  Just ribbing ya! |
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Have you ever noticed when you're feeling really good, there's always a pigeon that'll come sh!t on your hood? - John Prine 97 Tourer "Silver Bullet" 01 Interstate "Ruby"  |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2023, 02:44:57 AM » |
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What parts can’t be bought anymore?
When I got a "new" timing chain, I noticed they had to source a "reman" one. Electrical stuff in general, and in particular the Greenville Mini place has been unable to get a new BCM for several 1st gen Minis, I think the BCM (body control module) is a central brain kind of thing for all the buttons and lights and sensors. I just went over to the Mini Mania site (a good place to buy parts on the innernet): NOTE: This item is currently on backorder with no date for availability. (updated May 23. 2023)Minis are quirky weird little cars. I have a hard time envisioning old geezers in a garage 60 years from now restoring their old barn-find Minis... maybe if they're grizzled old electrical engineers as well as grizzled old grease monkeys... -Mike |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2023, 02:52:48 AM » |
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Sweet, it doesn't even look like an old man car! Just ribbing ya! I deserve it, an old dude in a red sports car, what does he wish he could still do instead ?  I ordered every detail of the white one. The used red one was in a near by enough state to risk paying Carmax $200 to send it to South Carolina so I could look at it. It is the exact car I'd want... not too old, 40,000 miles, loaded, manual 6 speed. I'll have to live with the red. After I got my Red and White Valkyrie I used to wish I'd gotten a red mini with a white top, maybe red is what I wanted after all  ... -Mike |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2023, 03:08:18 AM » |
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I’ve always liked them (I think) because I spent three years in England and they were everywhere. They were the British ones though not the German ones.
 They're all British. BMW is a company headquartered in Germany. My white one was 90% made in England with a motor sourced from Brazil. The newer ones are fully produced in England. I'm generalizing of course, I bet every semiconductor can be traced back to China or Singapore or somewhere  ... This wiki page describes the engine in the 2nd gen... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine-Mike |
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Jersey mike
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« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2023, 03:45:50 AM » |
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Ever since they became popular again I’ve thought, holy crap that’s a small car, but also hey, that’s a cool looking little car.
They’re not very popular in our area, don’t see too many of them around, but there are some. One I do see is a black and cream one and another is a black w/ white racing stripes on the roof and hood.
I have no idea how quick, fast they are nor how well they ride and handle, but I really like the look of that red one you have pictured, it looks fun to drive. Do they make them in convertibles?
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2023, 04:18:03 AM » |
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They make both the hatchback style (like my white one) and the coupe-style in a convertible, they call the coupe one a "roadster". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_Coup%C3%A9_and_RoadsterThe "S" and "JCW" models are plenty quick and I don't think I ever went any where near as fast as the white one would go. Minis are popular "autocross" cars. I don't follow autocross, they probably don't have double jumps though... -Mike |
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f6john
Member
Posts: 9321
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2023, 05:05:51 AM » |
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Tell you what Mike, since the white one has no value, I’ll come and get it so it doesn’t turn into a barn find for someone else who wouldn’t appreciate it! I could maybe rustle up some spare Valkyrie parts to trade!
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2023, 05:14:04 AM » |
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Tell you what Mike, since the white one has no value, I’ll come and get it so it doesn’t turn into a barn find for someone else who wouldn’t appreciate it! I could maybe rustle up some spare Valkyrie parts to trade!
I refused Carmax's $300 offer and sold it to the mini place for $500  ... but I'm done. Two whole days in Greenville at car dealerships... -Mike "buy retail, sell wholesale  " |
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12579
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2023, 05:21:59 AM » |
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I think I recollect that we are about the same height. Is the leg and head room adequate
(meaning there is at least a couple inches travel before your head hits the ceiling and can you straighten your legs as in a vette)?
I just bought my Rouge off the lease at 46000 miles, it doesnt hurt my back getting in and out, nobody would want to steal it in nyc and I get 26-28 mpg on regular gas driving it hard like I stole it.
Oss
yeah the red one looks cool, bet the dog loves riding in it but can she play guitar?
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« Last Edit: September 09, 2023, 05:25:37 AM by Oss »
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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f6john
Member
Posts: 9321
Christ first and always
Richmond, Kentucky
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« Reply #13 on: September 09, 2023, 05:45:27 AM » |
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Tell you what Mike, since the white one has no value, I’ll come and get it so it doesn’t turn into a barn find for someone else who wouldn’t appreciate it! I could maybe rustle up some spare Valkyrie parts to trade!
I refused Carmax's $300 offer and sold it to the mini place for $500 ... but I'm done. Two whole days in Greenville at car dealerships... -Mike "buy retail, sell wholesale " Dang, a day late and a dollar short! In 1973 during the oil embargo I traded my 67 GTO for a 72 VW, I think I got $500 on trade. |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #14 on: September 09, 2023, 07:04:22 AM » |
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The seat has height adjustment and lots of back and forth. The wheel wells are deep.
The roof is lower on the red one, but I pumped the seat down and it is good for me.
I was out there this morning with the drive door open... staring down into the car...
I get in and out with care, I'm plenty old enough to wrench a knee on it.
-Mike
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #15 on: September 09, 2023, 08:29:58 AM » |
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We have a 73k 2007 MCs convertible that lives in Sylva and it is a blast. Should I start hoarding some parts? If so, suggestions? The car is entirely up to date mechanically and we have a new professionally installed interior as the seats were reupholstered leather with the sides being pleather. The car is just for fun runs not a daily driver.  |
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #16 on: September 09, 2023, 08:34:14 AM » |
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Yea, I noticed the Coupe has a very angled windshield and ours is more straight up like a Jeep.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #17 on: September 09, 2023, 08:46:19 AM » |
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Is yours turbocharged or supercharged? A turbocharged one would be 2nd gen, like my red one... I've only recently become aware of how there some stuff for the 1st gen you can't get. I was reading about the BCM on the 1st gen... even if you could get a new one, you'd still have to have it programmed by someone like the dealer to make it do right in your car. I hope the 2nd gen is at least like the 1st gen in that I always was able to get what I needed for the whole 23 years. Just one year ago I did a big maintenance shot on the 2005. I hope whoever buys it at auction sees it for what it is. Mini people all think a lot of 1st gen supercharged ones. Nothing is better than the pappity-pop-pop-pop noise they make when you downshift into a turn... it made me smile and made people look up... We have a 73k 2007 MCs convertible that lives in Sylva and it is a blast. Should I start hoarding some parts? If so, suggestions? The car is entirely up to date mechanically and we have a new professionally installed interior as the seats were reupholstered leather with the sides being pleather. The car is just for fun runs not a daily driver. |
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #18 on: September 09, 2023, 08:57:37 AM » |
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Yes, supercharged, I suppose the last of them before the turbo and yes instant wine when gassing it. Ours is manual T, It would be sweet to have a new JCW Manual Convertible, maybe one day. I understand it is not listed as available with stick but someone mentioned when ordering a special code will indeed get you one.
For now or the next trick is buying an old Square body 4x4. That I would be way more interested in wrenching.
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #19 on: September 09, 2023, 09:06:34 AM » |
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Yes, supercharged, I suppose the last of them before the turbo and yes instant wine when gassing it. Ours is manual T, It would be sweet to have a new JCW Manual Convertible, maybe one day. I understand it is not listed as available with stick but someone mentioned when ordering a special code will indeed get you one.
For now or the next trick is buying an old Square body 4x4. That I would be way more interested in wrenching.
You can't sandblast a BCM you dredged up out of a junkyard and use it, but you can a truck bumper. There's a whole bunch of vehicles out there that people will always be able to fix right...  -Mike "not my truck..." |
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GiG
Member
Posts: 2828
"That's just like, your OPINION, Man!"
NEAR the "In 'n' Out Burger"
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« Reply #21 on: September 18, 2023, 12:21:32 PM » |
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Nothing is Everything.
When you come to a fork in the road - TAKE IT!
(Then be sure to send it to OSS... C.O.D.)
This isn’t Rocket Surgery
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #22 on: September 18, 2023, 02:32:06 PM » |
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 -Mike "me and the wife have been practiciing a "song for jig" on our guitars..." |
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2023, 02:34:49 PM by hubcapsc »
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_Sheffjs_
Member
Posts: 5613
Jerry & Sherry Sheffer
Sarasota FL
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« Reply #23 on: September 19, 2023, 04:05:05 PM » |
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What could go wrong?  |
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