[petethepug]

Interesting, VW crowd gave BMW kudos for actually recommending fluid changes. Good to know.


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[EricVonHa]

Mini/BMW CVT transmissions say lifetime fluid,the 6 speed also says it too. I stay away from the CVT,s mainly because I wanted to flat tow them behind the motorhome but I like a manual better anyway in that type of car. The R50 has become the daily driver and the Cabrio is a back up/ toad.

I got the taillights for $300 including shipping. Took me about an hour to get them changed out. It seems like all Mini taillights have the fading/ yellowing of the clear part. Sanding and polishing didn’t really change anything. Did a quick polish of the headlights but will do a more detailed polishing when it quits raining.

I’m going to look into replacing the transmission on the caddy when we get back from our trip to the mountains. It works but I don’t trust it.

Don't get me started on CVT's ! They are throwaway (mostly).

My 6L80 has a slight very random but minimal (no one else will notice it when it does it) over-rev on the 2-3 (I think) when it's cold. For a split second, it doesn't catch the next gear. I did the fluid/filter/flush 2 x since I've had it and it seems to be hardware at this point. Think there was a TSB or some update on some component and it's only cubic dollars to service it at that point. So I figure I'll drive it into the ground, ha!

 

[ChiefM]

Mine did the 2-3 studder when I bought it. I used some hotshot’s transmission restore I got from Amazon. It took about a week or so and it went away. My second filter was delivered today.

My son in law for some reason decided it would be a good idea to buy a 1999 metro as a commute car. It’s bad, runs bad, looks bad, AC doesn’t work. He bought the stuff to do a tune up, plugs, wires, rotor and cap, plug wires. Going to spray the carb down good and add some sea foam to the tank. The rubber in the transmission mount is almost non existent and we are going to replace that too. Hopefully I can wave my magic wrench and make it run a little better.

No answer at the junk yard today to get a used transmission for my 05 Envoy. I was going to sell it as is but decided to fix it and keep it as a loaner when his metro bites the dust. I might just end up giving it to him.

 

[ChiefM]

Cleaned the top really good on the Cabrio yesterday. There was zero repellent on there as the top just sucked in the water. Going to make sure it is free of any debris/ lint and give it a good coating of water proofing. 100 percent chance of rain tomorrow so today is the only time I have to complete it. I have an appointment on Monday to get the front end aligned and it will be ready for vacation time!

I am going to do another fluid flush of the transmission on the Caddy today too. I’m pretty sure I’m going to replace the transmission after our trip next month. I’ve always been a little weary about it since we bought it.

 

[ChiefM]

Found an issue on the Cabrio, Front upper front strut mount on the drivers side is ripped. I ordered 2 new upper mounts, new Bilstein B4's and all the other junk to go new. It's the same set up I have on the R50. Not what I was planning on doing but I have to remove the struts anyway so I might as well upgrade.

 

[ChiefM]

The back strut bump stops are about in the condition I figured they be in.

 

[petethepug]

That’s about what my Escalade motor mounts look like about now.

Why, why’d the kid buy a Metro? Maybe it’d help next time he’s at your house make him a strong drink and wait 15-20 Min. Invite him outside and throw him the keys to the Maserati.

Tell him to get in, start the car and tap the pedal once or twice. While he’s sitting there marinating in Italian automotive Pasta Bolognese suggest he buy a few tools and hand him the latest issue of Car & Driver or R&T.

Then tell him to get the hell outta your car until he can have a conversation about something in that magazine.


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[ChiefM]

He seems to love it for some reason for a commute car. It runs better now, we found some really bad plug wires. Still not perfect but better. He is going to pimp it till he gets some bills paid down and buy something nicer. I still need to get the AC working but that's for another weekend. They do own a nice 2019 Mercedes Benz. My wife would not him anywhere near the keys to her Maserati.

I changed the trans fluid again in the caddy and it's nice and red again. It seems to be shifting normally but my question is for how long? It's not a daily and hopefully it will hold up till I get a transmission in the Envoy.

I got the Cabrio top cleaned and waterproofed. I have all the struts out and waiting for the new parts to arrive, I should have everything by Thursday and then start putting it back together. The car slipped off the jack and a jack stand put a nice crack in the oil pan. Thank god it's only a $35 dollar screw up. I should have it all back together next weekend if it doesn't rain.

 

[petethepug]

Look into getting a car lift. A lot of the VW guys were getting them after incidents like jack pads sliding off and … wait for it … cars falling off jack stands.


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[ChiefM]

I should have known better and NOT jacked it up in the gravel in my driveway. The son in-laws car was on the pad and I decided not to wait and move it. I have 1/2 plywood under the jack stands now so it won't happen again. I do want a quick jack one day.

 

[rodnok01]

With all the work you do and not being 20 years old.. You need a lift. I can't hardly imagine not having one now and why i waited so long I have no idea and regularly kick myself when back acts up.

 

[ChiefM]

The main reason is I don’t have a garage. We have a huge 4 car carport with a metal cover but the concrete floor is angled and not flat. I hope to get to the point that I’m just doing routine maintenance and not restorations. The engine and transmission in the caddy is really the only things left and it will basically be a new truck.

The R50 ( black car) is pretty well done except body work. I do want to paint the calipers red but other than that it’s mechanically sound. The new suspension on the R52 ( blue convertible)will pretty much finish it up mechanically. I do want to do slotted rotors and better brake pads. Maybe new wheel bearings just because I’ll be pulling it behind the motorhome.

 

[ChiefM]

Got a delivery today! Waiting on the upper bushings for the front and rear to be delivered. I took one of the rear shocks apart and there was zero shocking action. I could push the rod down by hand and it didn’t come back up.

 

[petethepug]

That’s great. You got your money’s worth. Our beetle has the OE shocks from 07 & 140k clicks.


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[ChiefM]

The front struts for the Mini are put together. The new bushings for the rear shocks should be here tomorrow and I'll get them put together. It's the same set up I have on the R50 so it should ride amazing after I get it all reinstalled. The new oil pan should be here on Friday. I put a new emblem on the front too, the OEM one was sun faded. I might try and re-clear coat the air inlet this weekend too.

 

[ChiefM]

The struts are assembled and installed on the car.

Here is a new strut with the new bushings installed compared to the old one.

The new oil pan should be here tomorrow and I can get the car completed this weekend.

 

[petethepug]

The struts on the right are obviously for racing right? Gimme a few minutes and I'll be right over for a road test.

I can't believe how fun it would be to have a Mini Vert to putt around in while on vacation. I'm really surprised they never did a commercial showing of someone taking their car on a vacation.

 

[ChiefM]

Mini doesn’t endorse flat towing even though a bunch of people do it, as long as it’s a manual . It’s a super fun car and I can’t wait to cruise the beach front with the top down. Come on over I’ll even let you drive!

 

[petethepug]

Sounds good, I’ll take it for a little warm up lap I know of.

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[ChiefM]

Oh heck no!
The new oil pan was delivered today. The rain has finally stopped but below freezing temps tonight. I’ll get started on it in the morning when it is above freezing.