Who here owns a Mini?

Does anybody have any experience with Aircon issues? Had mine recharged last week as it wasn't blowing any cold air at all, the shop said it didn't seem to be leaking and only took 410g of gas, drove it today and while it got cold-ish the A/C light never started blinking (I understand it's supposed to once it reaches temp, it's a r50 1993 cooper) and having looked around it seems likely that it's the a/c compressor clutch coil that is at fault (modmini on youtube) rather than the actual compressor which means it can likely be fixed without needing to mess with refrigerant, what's the best way for me to check this is the case before I start ordering parts and taking things to bits?

Thanks :)
 
So my mk2 mx5 had its final trackday last Sunday at Blyton and it's going to its new owner next Sunday so the hunt for a well spec'd facelift R53 is about to commence. Budget will be up to around £4800 for one with the right spec. If anyone knows of one thats available let me know :)
 
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I spent half your budget and got a 2005 R53, 70k mile, 3 owner with LSD, heated seats, panoramic sun roof, climate amd MFSW.

I wouldn't pay anywhere *near* £4800 for an R53. If you have that money to spend, look at a Renault Megane R26.
 
Gaygle said:
I spent half your budget and got a 2005 R53, 70k mile, 3 owner with LSD, heated seats, panoramic sun roof, climate amd MFSW.

I wouldn't pay anywhere *near* £4800 for an R53. If you have that money to spend, look at a Renault Megane R26.
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Totally agree I paid even less for my 2005 with same spec as above but with 90k on the clock. £1500 with a couple of niggles including a rusty boot lid which would be covered under Mini's original paint warranty so would have been fixed for free if I hadnt resprayed the car or cheap to get a new one second hand. And dodgy central locking which was resolved by reconnecting the door locking mechanism which had somehow disconnected itself and the previous owner hadnt realised.
 
Gaygle said:
I spent half your budget and got a 2005 R53, 70k mile, 3 owner with LSD, heated seats, panoramic sun roof, climate amd MFSW.

I wouldn't pay anywhere *near* £4800 for an R53. If you have that money to spend, look at a Renault Megane R26.
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Don't get me wrong, it would need to be something extremely special for me to spend that much. £4800 is my total budget to purchase a car and get it to the spec I want.

For example your base spec is a what I'd like, but I also want decent coilovers, adjustable topmounts/rear arms, uprated intercooler, reduction pulley, light wheels and decent rubber, JCW front brakes and uprated pads, exhaust and so on (you get the idea) That's a big chuck of money in mods right there. If I can pick a car up with the vast majority of the mods I want already done then it's much more cost effective.

I've thought about a "proper" hot hatch but after previously owning an EP3 Civic Type R I'm not so sure. The civic was a bit dull and too easy to drive at licence losing speeds compared to my mx5. My good mates brother in law used to own an R26 F1 and they are impressive and quick on track (I've been overtaken by plenty at the Nurburgring over the 10yrs of going) but I just think it'll give me a similar feel to my old CTR.
 
tweedbean said:
@dale1uk
If you arent on minitorque already, get on there as there are some decent modded examples normally for sale on there.
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Yeah I'm already on minitorque, signed up when I first gor serious about selling my mx5. There's nothing available at the minute that perks my interest but in no hurry.

Also I hadn't realised R26 Meganes have dropped below £5k, last time I looked they were ~£6k so have got some decisions to make. A Megane would be a better overall package, but concerns of how involving one would be still leaves a question mark over them. There's one at a local dealers so will try and test drive it this weekend after my mx5 is gone and see what I think.
 
Ryan-3 said:
Currently getting de-coke done on my R56. Hoping it sings again when I pick it up later on. :rolleyes:
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Can confirm it now sings. £195 after discount (thanks to Simon from FullOnMini's). The car decided to develop a misfire in the traffic on the way there. One of the injectors decided it no longer liked its home and become loose. :eek:
 
Spent friday at Lohen Mini Specialists getting some upgrades done to my 2005 r53:

- Uprated intercooler
- 17% pulley reduction
- Milltek exhaust

Found some additional work that needs to be done during their inspection that couldn't be done that day:
- Top mounts need replacing
- Brake lines need replacing as badly corroded
- Sump Gasket needs replacing

Future mods:
- Dampners and coil overs
 
Sick of this bloody car throwing stuff up. The coolant temperature sensor gave up the ghost on friday morning, constantly saying 30C over the OBD reader and kept the fan (on full!) running for 5-10 minutes after driving. £10 and 40 minutes later, it appears to be back to normal. Fingers crossed.
 
spikey57 said:
Spent friday at Lohen Mini Specialists getting some upgrades done to my 2005 r53:

- Uprated intercooler
- 17% pulley reduction
- Milltek exhaust
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Cor, i bet you didn't walk away with much change from £1000 for that work. You planning on tracking it?

spikey57 said:
Found some additional work that needs to be done during their inspection that couldn't be done that day:
- Top mounts need replacing
- Brake lines need replacing as badly corroded
- Sump Gasket needs replacing
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Depending on your level of DIY - these aren't difficult if you've got the tools. The top mounts and sump gasket are covered by (exceptionally good) DIY videos on youtube (i've also done a bit of a walkthrough and signposted to where to get the mount for a good price - https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30272454/) and the brake lines are likely to be surface rust. I did mine the other day and had two rusty brake lines just where it enters the wheel area. 30 seconds of very lightly grinding with a Dremel made them shiny again, then sprayed 5-6 coats of Hammerite on them to stop them corroding again.
 
Ryan-3 said:
Sick of this bloody car throwing stuff up. The coolant temperature sensor gave up the ghost on friday morning, constantly saying 30C over the OBD reader and kept the fan (on full!) running for 5-10 minutes after driving. £10 and 40 minutes later, it appears to be back to normal. Fingers crossed.
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Ahhh could have been worse. But yeah, R56's are known for their poor reliability.
 
Gaygle said:
Cor, i bet you didn't walk away with much change from £1000 for that work. You planning on tracking it?



Depending on your level of DIY - these aren't difficult if you've got the tools. The top mounts and sump gasket are covered by (exceptionally good) DIY videos on youtube (i've also done a bit of a walkthrough and signposted to where to get the mount for a good price - https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/30272454/) and the brake lines are likely to be surface rust. I did mine the other day and had two rusty brake lines just where it enters the wheel area. 30 seconds of very lightly grinding with a Dremel made them shiny again, then sprayed 5-6 coats of Hammerite on them to stop them corroding again.
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My level of DIY is low, I don't have the tools or the confidence to partake in such a task. The photo's they took, which I will aim to upload at some point makes me think it's more than just surface rust. The car is 12 years old and hasn't really had much TLC.

I'm more than happy to pay someone who knows what they are doing, but am also happy and willing to learn as well but I just don't have much spare time.

It was expensive, with all the labour, I will track it eventually. I just wanted to make a fun car more fun. The power and torque have made it much more fun and responsive. I got the resonated exhaust because I didn't want it to be overly loud when just driving around town. When you get above 3500-4000 rpm it starts to sing, which is nice.

It's the first time I've modified a car, and I can say it's quite addictive.

If I can replace them with OEM or better quality parts, I'd much rather do that.
 
My colleagues R56 2005 Mini Hatch One's third brake light has stopped working. MoT is due next week, is it an automatic fail?

Best place to source one if she needs to replace it?

Annoyingly this model has the spoiler sat on top of the light cluster so it's a pain to get to it to check connections etc.
 
wingman said:
My colleagues R56 2005 Mini Hatch One's third brake light has stopped working. MoT is due next week, is it an automatic fail?

Best place to source one if she needs to replace it?

Annoyingly this model has the spoiler sat on top of the light cluster so it's a pain to get to it to check connections etc.
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eBay is probably easier to get a replacement.
A 2005 will be a R50 not R56, so make sure you look for the right one!
 
--Mike-- said:
eBay is probably easier to get a replacement.
A 2005 will be a R50 not R56, so make sure you look for the right one!
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An important distinction, thanks for clarifying, I didn't realise the difference!

Just rang the MoT tester and he's said he won't disqualify on the basis of the top brake anyway, but I'll advise her to get it sorted at some point soon all the same.
 
Had another great day at Snetterton with the Mini and it again performed flawlessly! It's such an enjoyable car to drive on track and can really hold it's own with some far more expensive/serious cars. Had some great battles with a 1st Gen Lotus Elise, a Westfield, Renault Clio 172 and a Porsche Cayman.

It is also apparently as fast as an S2000 in a straight line!

 
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