Yeah, I know it's not retro. But then I was on MX5 forums for the last 10 years and stalking a bit here, so here goes.
When I came to UK a couple of years ago I needed a car. I've had a few motors before like a WRX that became intimately acquainted with a telegraph pole, FN2 Civic Type-R with always sticking rear calipers and a GT86 which lead a surprisingly boring life and there's still my Eunos Roadster with some bits bolted on tucked away in a garage where I came from. I wanted something reasonably entertaining to drive, something I could use for a tip run or to bring cheap tat from a charity shop in and last but not least cheap. I ended up with this - a 53 reg Cooper S. The main rule of buying an old car was broken. I bought the first one I saw, largely because I had to do an hour's train trip to see it and the thought of getting the train back was too much. It's really not easy to buy a car when you don't have a car.
I brought it home. Well, the place I called home back then. It was in fact an Airbnb place. I say I brought it home, but that was some time after I set out from Penistone where the deal was made. In fact, several hours after, even though it was a 30 mile trip. Not too far from home the litlle curse word cut out and I coasted to a stop on a motorway in the middle of Leeds just after a blind corner with a joining slip road. Couple of hours later I was home though, having gained a useful knowledge that the fuel gauge is curse word.
The car looked good. Apart from a rust spot on the tailgate. And misaligned bonnet. And tyres that you almost could make out what the tread pattern was like. And white roof that was sort of greenish and actual moss growing out of sunroof seals. I went to check the oil level, pulled the dipstick and dumbfoundedly looked at the dipstick handle in my hand, rest of it diabolically laughing at me from the innards of the engine bay.
It wasn't that bad to be honest. Paint was in great condition, if only wishing for a good clean. Engine was willing and the stainless exhaust did a bangity-bang sort of sound every time the throttle was released bringing a silly smile to my childish face. Steering was responsive, the car changing direction to where you pointed it at almost before you did. I looked at it and thought of a little terrier.
I soon moved to a place with a garage and spent a few evenings and weekends sorting out the little niggles. Previous owner mentioned they've had fuel tank sensor replaced and it turned out the monkeys at the garage got their fuel tank float in a twist so it never reached the bottom, explaining why the gauge was off. That was an easy fix with an added bonus of a night of exciting dreams after breathing fuel fumes for a couple of hours. By that time I've had some of my old stuff moved here, so the trusty polisher came out and by the end of the day the little Mini wasn't looking as neglected. I gave it a service and replaced some suspension bits and bobs that were tired. Then one day I snapped a clean facelift tailgate off ebay and replaced the old one.
Two years passed. The Mini has served surprisingly well. It took me to work and the shops, it easily brought home a set of garden furniture, a desk and a double bed from Ikea and reliably transported me to Le Mans and back.
But I wanted a change. Rock hard suspension, interior that squeaked more than that girl in a video you wouldn't want your parents to see and just driving the same car most of the time. I grew tired of it. Many nights were spent on ebay and autotrader, contemplating between Renault Sports, Integras and fast Fords. Why didn't Honda build a quick Jazz? Twingo RS and Swift Sport are an interesting proposition but I'm not sure I could live with 130ish horsepower on motorway. If only there was a small cheap hatch with more power.
Eh? Yes, well. Thing is, I've bought another MX5 some time ago and every time I was going to drive for driving's sake I would pick that. Mini was relegated to commuting duties and in a way became like a wife of 10 years wearing trackie bottoms at home. Then you go for a night out her wearing that tight dress and you suddenly remember what's that all about. Or, to stop with ridiculous metaphors, one night for no reason at all I took the little prat out for a spin and it dawned on me.
The decision is made - there is no point in getting rid (Mini, not wife) but if it's here to stay it deserves a little refresh and some improvements wouldn't go amiss too. Cue this thread. The aim is to make this Mini a better road car. First point of attention is horrible ride quality and handling over bad surfaces. These are known for having very hard dampers and springs and runflat tyres not really helping. I've replaced tyres with non-runflat ones a year ago which sort of improved things a bit but the factory suspension set up is hopeless. Factory wheels are also proper boat anchors at, according to the internet, 11.5 kg apiece and that sort of unsprung mass is certainly playing a big part.
I'm also not a fan of the steering wheel. There have been great 2 spoke wheels made before (hey, Peugeot!). This isn't one of them. Not great to look at, not great to use. Turns out the facelift Mini came with a much nicer 3 spoke wheel and it's a direct fit. I'd have one of those please.
A steering wheel has popped up on facebook and I couldn't give it a miss, so it will hopefully be here next week. As for the wheels, I'm a bit of JDM fanboi so a set of Buddy Club SF's is on order. They are supposed to weigh in at 7,5 kilos saving whopping 4kg of rotating unsprung mass per corner. Still contemplating what to go for with suspension, tempted by Meister R as they seem to focus on road, rather than track qualities and offer a reasonable spring rate with matching damper valving. KW is another option, mainly because of stainless casing that'd be better for a all-year-round road car. I'll make up my mind soon.
More updates to come.
When I came to UK a couple of years ago I needed a car. I've had a few motors before like a WRX that became intimately acquainted with a telegraph pole, FN2 Civic Type-R with always sticking rear calipers and a GT86 which lead a surprisingly boring life and there's still my Eunos Roadster with some bits bolted on tucked away in a garage where I came from. I wanted something reasonably entertaining to drive, something I could use for a tip run or to bring cheap tat from a charity shop in and last but not least cheap. I ended up with this - a 53 reg Cooper S. The main rule of buying an old car was broken. I bought the first one I saw, largely because I had to do an hour's train trip to see it and the thought of getting the train back was too much. It's really not easy to buy a car when you don't have a car.
I brought it home. Well, the place I called home back then. It was in fact an Airbnb place. I say I brought it home, but that was some time after I set out from Penistone where the deal was made. In fact, several hours after, even though it was a 30 mile trip. Not too far from home the litlle curse word cut out and I coasted to a stop on a motorway in the middle of Leeds just after a blind corner with a joining slip road. Couple of hours later I was home though, having gained a useful knowledge that the fuel gauge is curse word.
The car looked good. Apart from a rust spot on the tailgate. And misaligned bonnet. And tyres that you almost could make out what the tread pattern was like. And white roof that was sort of greenish and actual moss growing out of sunroof seals. I went to check the oil level, pulled the dipstick and dumbfoundedly looked at the dipstick handle in my hand, rest of it diabolically laughing at me from the innards of the engine bay.
It wasn't that bad to be honest. Paint was in great condition, if only wishing for a good clean. Engine was willing and the stainless exhaust did a bangity-bang sort of sound every time the throttle was released bringing a silly smile to my childish face. Steering was responsive, the car changing direction to where you pointed it at almost before you did. I looked at it and thought of a little terrier.
I soon moved to a place with a garage and spent a few evenings and weekends sorting out the little niggles. Previous owner mentioned they've had fuel tank sensor replaced and it turned out the monkeys at the garage got their fuel tank float in a twist so it never reached the bottom, explaining why the gauge was off. That was an easy fix with an added bonus of a night of exciting dreams after breathing fuel fumes for a couple of hours. By that time I've had some of my old stuff moved here, so the trusty polisher came out and by the end of the day the little Mini wasn't looking as neglected. I gave it a service and replaced some suspension bits and bobs that were tired. Then one day I snapped a clean facelift tailgate off ebay and replaced the old one.
Two years passed. The Mini has served surprisingly well. It took me to work and the shops, it easily brought home a set of garden furniture, a desk and a double bed from Ikea and reliably transported me to Le Mans and back.
But I wanted a change. Rock hard suspension, interior that squeaked more than that girl in a video you wouldn't want your parents to see and just driving the same car most of the time. I grew tired of it. Many nights were spent on ebay and autotrader, contemplating between Renault Sports, Integras and fast Fords. Why didn't Honda build a quick Jazz? Twingo RS and Swift Sport are an interesting proposition but I'm not sure I could live with 130ish horsepower on motorway. If only there was a small cheap hatch with more power.
Eh? Yes, well. Thing is, I've bought another MX5 some time ago and every time I was going to drive for driving's sake I would pick that. Mini was relegated to commuting duties and in a way became like a wife of 10 years wearing trackie bottoms at home. Then you go for a night out her wearing that tight dress and you suddenly remember what's that all about. Or, to stop with ridiculous metaphors, one night for no reason at all I took the little prat out for a spin and it dawned on me.
The decision is made - there is no point in getting rid (Mini, not wife) but if it's here to stay it deserves a little refresh and some improvements wouldn't go amiss too. Cue this thread. The aim is to make this Mini a better road car. First point of attention is horrible ride quality and handling over bad surfaces. These are known for having very hard dampers and springs and runflat tyres not really helping. I've replaced tyres with non-runflat ones a year ago which sort of improved things a bit but the factory suspension set up is hopeless. Factory wheels are also proper boat anchors at, according to the internet, 11.5 kg apiece and that sort of unsprung mass is certainly playing a big part.
I'm also not a fan of the steering wheel. There have been great 2 spoke wheels made before (hey, Peugeot!). This isn't one of them. Not great to look at, not great to use. Turns out the facelift Mini came with a much nicer 3 spoke wheel and it's a direct fit. I'd have one of those please.
A steering wheel has popped up on facebook and I couldn't give it a miss, so it will hopefully be here next week. As for the wheels, I'm a bit of JDM fanboi so a set of Buddy Club SF's is on order. They are supposed to weigh in at 7,5 kilos saving whopping 4kg of rotating unsprung mass per corner. Still contemplating what to go for with suspension, tempted by Meister R as they seem to focus on road, rather than track qualities and offer a reasonable spring rate with matching damper valving. KW is another option, mainly because of stainless casing that'd be better for a all-year-round road car. I'll make up my mind soon.
More updates to come.
