|
|
May 14, 2017 13:20:16 GMT
|
Hi, I've finally bitten the bullet and bought a 2002 Cooper S Gen 1 in Dark silver.
Its a bit of a project car (hence the cheap price), and it's fully loaded, yet a bit unloved.
My roots are MGZT's and there's so many similarities its very comforting.
Anyway, apart from some body damage that needs sorting, there a few jobs I need to attend.
First is wheels and tyres.
It's currently fitted with a set of after market 18's which are beyond repair.
I was very impressed with the ride quality on 18's so it may well come down to tyre choice and cost whether i go 18's or 17's. Which everyway it'll probably be standard rims.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2017 13:20:32 GMT
|
Well here's some starting pictures of the poor thing. Main issues are, Drivers seat air bag, bonnet, tailgate, front bumper Rear wheel and suspension, front wheel bearing.....and a host of other jobs too numerous to mention Any way, progress has been slow but steady Replacement 17" rims fitted, worryingly locking wheel bolts were missing from three of the wheels....!!! Had to cut the damaged rim off as had a locker but no key. Replacement Intercooler replaced with a good second hand one as it was leaking New blue interior sourced and fitted, was tricky as original seats were heated. Side glass fitted, rather proud of that as I've never bonded a window before and it went in without a hitch Front wheel bearing changed, great design all in one. Replacement tailgate fitted, but needs more time to align it properly, I was getting cold and tired in the end.
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2017 13:21:53 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2017 13:22:39 GMT
|
Looks much better on OEM wheels
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2017 13:24:11 GMT
|
Originally I/C was missing its cover and leaking.... Bit of damage to front end, awaiting for new bumper to arrive before I remove and check for damage Well spent a few more hours on the beast today.....gave up with the tailgate as I cant get it to line up no matter what I try... So....decided to look into the rear suspension. Clearly the chunk out of the wheel and the side air bag going off suggested a sizable impact and having striped out the liner there was damage to the inner arch as well. So I bit the bullet and dropped the trailing arm and mounting out, and the full extent of the damage was clear. The impact had pullet the main bolt through the rubber mounting and bent the spreader plate. Fortunately I'd bought an arm and mount (second hand) just in case, so cracked on and changed it over. Surprisingly easy and went back without any fuss Popped the wheel back on and pleased to say it's sitting in the arch squarely now Just need to sort the tracking now
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 14, 2017 13:24:42 GMT
|
How the mount should look How it shouldn't Look !!!!!!! Side by side All back together With a wheel Sorry for the crappy photo's
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
not really much to update as I've been laid up with some horrible lurgy, but I'm hoping the MOT is closer now then it has been for a long time
|
|
Last Edit: May 15, 2017 6:54:25 GMT by greeners
|
|
|
|
|
Good work. With that side impact and airbag deployment, did the seatbelt pretensioners operate as well or are they ok?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i do like the idea of a cheap cooper s to blast aout in for a bit. good work on recommissioning this one!
|
|
|
|
eternaloptimist
Posted a lot
Too many projects, not enough time or space...
Posts: 2,578
|
|
|
Good work there. I'm really warming to these.
|
|
XC70, VW split screen crew cab, Standard Ten
|
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2017 13:31:14 GMT
|
Enjoying this thread Keep the updates coming Bookmarked
|
|
BMW E39 525i Sport BMW E46 320d Sport Touring (now sold on.) BMW E30 325 Touring (now sold on.) BMW E30 320 Cabriolet (Project car - currently for sale.)
|
|
|
2002 BMW Mini Cooper Sjohnthesparky
@johnthesparky
Club Retro Rides Member 6
|
May 15, 2017 14:50:29 GMT
|
Good work, wouldn't mind a cheap one of these...
Keep thinking I should get a clubvan for work!
John
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2017 15:04:07 GMT
|
Good work. With that side impact and airbag deployment, did the seatbelt pretensioners operate as well or are they ok? I never checked as the replacement seats had pretensioners fitted
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2017 15:33:05 GMT
|
Well found the missing photos, new interior fitted, no dramas, only problem is the heated seats don't work on either side, but it's summer so I can live with it for now. The passenger seat collapsed upon removal, it just seems to have shaken itself to bits As with many modern cars the drivers door actuators seems to take a bit of a hammering opening and closing, so a good 2nd hand unit fitted, A bit fiddly but not too onerous. The PAS had never worked since I first collected the car and had assumed that it was the pump that had failed as its a very common problem. I did check the resovoir and found that it was dry....hmmmmm Put a small amount in, and sure enough a small patch appeared on the clean bit of cardboard below. Crawling under, I discovered that the pump has been changed at sometime and a very cheap worm drive clip had been used which wasn't even finger tight !!! The correct size Mikalor clip and thats the kind of cheap fix we like. I'd collected a number of panels for not much money, so the car now has a replacement tailgate, passenger door, bonnet and front bumper. The remaining panels were stripped of anything use full and recycled. I did manage to make a body coloured number plate lamp / handle / boot release. The original one had literally rotted away from the water and salt but the cover was fine. One of the tailgates had a good one but the chrome finish had peeled off. Its bonded together and a couple of plastic rivets. Very satisfying separating them and creating one very good one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2017 15:38:45 GMT
|
It now has a full set of arch trims, half colour coded half black, not sure which way to go but it looks a lot tidier just having them fitted.
Also changed the offside inboard CV boot which had dumped its load all over the engine bay. I fear the nearside one is in a similar condition.
|
|
|
|
riggs
Part of things
Posts: 74
|
|
May 15, 2017 15:49:06 GMT
|
Not a mini fan in any way shape or form, my dad has a 2009 model and its dreadful, but I have to admit I like the look of this, glass roof on such an early car is a winner for me.
Went out on one on a track day once and it didn't half shift!
|
|
|
|
BT
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,772
|
|
May 15, 2017 16:46:40 GMT
|
I have a soft spot for these. I was so indecisive about buying one, I am a classic mini fan and have a "67 cooper and I remember when these were released. I was disgusted, I thought they were awful. However I finally bit the bullet and bought a 2006 R53 (bit to new for here and I suspected it would flop, hence no thread) and I absolutely love the thing! They're awesome! Good luck with it. You'll enjoy it.
|
|
Last Edit: May 15, 2017 16:47:23 GMT by BT
|
|
ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,194
Club RR Member Number: 170
|
2002 BMW Mini Cooper SChasR
@chasr
Club Retro Rides Member 170
|
May 15, 2017 18:31:41 GMT
|
Good to see you are making progress. I quite like them.
However, maybe I drove bad examples but they never seemed to be that quick, compared to say a Clio 172. That and they seem to come with a raft of issues in most areas. It's a shame as I really like the look of them and the build inside and out etc.
Yup, I do still consider buying one now and again. I very almost bought one when I was buying the Clio ; I originally set out to either get a Cooper S with a Panoramic or an Audi TT 225.
Keep up the good work! As said, I do fancy trying a good one to see what they are like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
May 15, 2017 19:33:09 GMT
|
Always quite liked these myself, looking forward to seeing how you get on :-)
Cheers, Drew
|
|
2001 Mk4 Golf - Not retro yet but getting there
Some cars I've owned: '91 Renault Clio 1.4 RT '96 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (the one that got away) '96 Vauxhall Astra Euro'96 Gold edition '97 Renault Laguna 2.0 RT '98 Mk3 Golf GTI Colour Concept '00 PT Cruiser
|
|
|
|
May 16, 2017 12:14:51 GMT
|
i'm loving '02 plater, but i only get to play at weekends as my daily is far more economical for the drive to work. Almost a twin , save for the leather and sat nav
|
|
Last Edit: May 16, 2017 12:15:22 GMT by Imperial
|
|
|