Modded Mini Purchase

[Adis Daddy]

Not exactly what I experienced. Whatever it is doing now I don't know since I haven't seen or heard the car in 15 months.

What I had was a constant ticking under load starting about 3000rpm. If you are driving with a wall or solid object on the pax side with the window down it will blow your mind; if you are hearing what I heard.

Again, if it's the harmonic balancer, in my case it was replaced but didn't fix the problem entirely but more importantly didn't affect the performance or running of the car.

K

[Adis Daddy]

So, what happened?

[jtack]

I told them I was going to pass on the car. Water spewing out of the water reservoir had me worried. More than the clutch! It wasnt even that hot outside (93) and I really didnt drive the car all that hard. I would be afraid to take the car to mini and have them see all that has been done to the car and not want to fix it. Oh and while it was off the lot for 10 days with the new owner who could not get financed it received a door ding close to the top of the drivers door where it curves into the window. I REALLY want to know why water was coming out. I checked under and in the engine bay for signs of damage from the accident and could see none. No creasing, no welds, no overspray. The funny thing is, when I first saw the car on autotrader it had rear stripe, top stripes, but no hood stripes. Then when I saw it in person it had hood strips and the right front fender molding was very very loose do to someone breaking off the grommets. No I can see that it did not have any hood stripes because it was probably painted, and the wheel well molding grommets were broken off when it was removed for painting.

[jtack]

It is a very good car and it is going to be hard to find one built up like that for that $. Everyday I think about going back in there and taking it home.

[jtack]

What kind of MPG were you able get with that car? Oh and thanks again for all of the info!!!!!

[jtack]

here is the car at the dealership


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... cardist=22

[Adis Daddy]

Yeah, that was my car for sure. I can tell by the pedals.

MPG on the highway was about 23-25 at best. Not very good but I was getting about 8 mpg when I did the Phil's Wicks Driving School @ Laguna Seca

Probably a pretty good call to pass on it. I'm amazed that it hasn't sold. And it hasn't hardly been driven. There was 40483 on the odometer when I sold it. Too bad He did well by me. Maybe I should go rescue the little guy.

Kelly

[Adis Daddy]

Yeah, that was my car for sure. I can tell by the pedals.

MPG on the highway was about 23-25 at best. Not very good but I was getting about 8 mpg when I did the Phil's Wicks Driving School @ Laguna Seca

Probably a pretty good call to pass on it. I'm amazed that it hasn't sold. And it hasn't hardly been driven. There was 40483 on the odometer when I sold it. Too bad He did well by me. Maybe I should go rescue the little guy.

Kelly

[jtack]

you did a very good job setting that car up! The car handled like it was on rails and pulled like a horse. It would have been really really nice to pick a car up like that. Were those light weight wheels?

[Adis Daddy]

Enkei OR52's about 18lbs in the 17x7". Thanks for the kind compliments on the set-up. Todd gets the nod though. He guided me through every step of it and did most of the work. I admit, I was pretty good with the broom though

I had 15" Kosei K1-TS for the track with Falken Azenis RT-615's that were a scream. I really believe that was the right combo for that car. I wasn't putting the HP down that Todd was on his first car but we matched up pretty well, I think Either way I had a blast in that little car and hope to have half the fun with the E36 325is track beast.

Anything else I can possibly help with please let me know. I'll do my best.

Kelly

[azminiman]

Just a fyi.. NSM has a 04 IB/W S that I can vouch for that is in perfict condition.. No mods except for a roof rack ( which can be removed and used when deeded.) So you could mod as you wish. Should be able to pick up for 17k or less. Has 48k on it.. Never has any major issues.

Just in case you are still looking for a good used S.. If you have any questions, feel free to ask

[jtack]

thank you Todd, Kelly and azminiman! I still have my eyes out. Currently I am looking at this one:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?c ... &cardist=9

29k miles, Alta Exhuast, 15% pulley, CAI, sway bars, trailing arms, catch can, alta boost guage and oil temp on the steering column, front shock tower bar, rear shock tower bar, new kdw's. Oh and a nifty whiptastick emblem on the back.


The bad: really dont care for the checker theme or the cooper s on the doors. I went and looked at the car and drove it. It drives good and handles good (but not as good at Kelly's car). It is in very good shape and I can take the stickers off without too much problem. (I removed hood stripes from my previous 04 yellow MCS without a problem)

It handled very well, and pulled pretty good. If I buy it I hope that a flash will put it right there with the power of kelly's car. I know it has been there for a very long time. I tried to trade in my 02 Tacoma TRD but they really didnt want to give me what I wanted for it. I will wait them out and eventually they will get tired of coming to work everyday and seeing that yellow car. The guy at the dealeriship said that they have had interest in the car but nobody likes the color. My 04 MCS that was yellow I thought was pretty cool with black 17's with 215/45 bfg gforce's.

Kelly, you said that your car was not putting down as much power as Todd's car, why is that?

The boost guage on the yellow car held steady at 15psi at full load and after a while of fast driving the oil temp gauge read 180 degrees and held there. This car does have a 15% pulley, correct? Do you think the oil temp is ok?

Thanks!!!!!

[th3118]

This yellow Mini looks good, if you can live with the color. The vinyl is removable.

15 psi is right for the 15 % pulley. Stock is 11.

I was running a 19% in mine and would see 17-18psi. I also had a large GSR intercooler, bigger injectors and GAIC programming made for that set-up. Turned a 192 at wheels. Would have done a head next if I didn't sell it for a new one.

[jtack]

on searching it seems that 15% is the way people are going rather than 19%. Was the hp advantage of your car over Kelly's car due to the 19% or the GAIC tune? I can see where the Water to Air intercooler helps to keep all of the hp that you have from going away with heat build up. Was this a mustang dyno that did yours? I see many pulley, intake, exhaust cars without tunes putting down 190+?

[th3118]

Yes, it was a Mustang dyno.
http://www.dynamicminicollective.org/fo ... php?t=2904

The 15% is safe. 19% generates more heat and it's known the eat belts. I never had a problem with my belts.
Its does spin the supercharger faster and the torque comes on sooner.
The GIAC programming helped the bigger injectors to work well with the pulley. It was a nice set-up.

If I was to do it again, I'd just do a 15% and a new head. I hear good things about the 'the Jesus head' from http://www.revolutionmini.com/cylinders.html