"ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability" (italianjobr53) 03/07/2020 at 21:16 • Filed to: Oppo is missing Mini content

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sony1492 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 21:31

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Just doing my part

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 21:37

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As long as you are mentioning Minis, the perfect non- JCW first gen Mini is for sale near me, and I’m sorely tempted. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/178760723458921/

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > sony1492 03/07/2020 at 21:37

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They went from SC to TC but still stuck it on the front lol

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 21:39

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You would want to chat with sony before you even look at that tho....His 2nd gen has been a pita since he got it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 21:41

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Miata is always the answer, and I’m too poor for a cheap German car. Doesn’t look like I can undertake something like that right now.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 21:41

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Yea, I would advise against that. The N14 engine in the 07-11 S models is a dumpster fire at best.

sony1492 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 21:58

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Y oud think the weight distribution wouldnt be in favor of continuing that design

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 22:01

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No that’s a very bad vintage unless you’re really handy. After 2012 or so much better. I had a NA 2011 Clubman from new and it wasn’t too terrible but did have some problems (though the Mk6 GTI that replaced it was far worse). My 2013 MCS is at 94k and has been really solid, almost no problems at all. 

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:03

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That is gorgeous. I saw one just like it somewhat recently. Want. 

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > sony1492 03/07/2020 at 22:03

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They probably knew that it would die and made it easier to replace it.

Also, the more I think about the weight distribution and the more I autocross the Mini, the more I think it being super front heavy is not such a bad thing...It somehow turns in and changes direction real well and having no weight on the back makes it easy to rotate on partial throttle . Just needs a different driving style than RWD cars I guess..

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 22:04

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1st gen Mini S are stupid reliable tho. Nothing on my drivetrain has broken yet (at 220k miles)

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 03/07/2020 at 22:06

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My particular Mini has shitty bodywork and not all the exterior trim is in good condition but it does still look pretty (to me at least)!

I like how it looks more than my Vette tbh.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:12

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If I were to seriously consider one, it would have to be the first gen because I don’t have the money, time, or skills to make that work anyways. Too bad because everything else about that Clubman is glorious.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 22:16

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I concur, I would love to get a clubman but they are too damn unreliable.

1st gens S are quite cheap, decent ones seem to hover around the 3-4k mark in the Midwest right now.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:22

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Since that is about what my Cruze is worth unless I wait long enough for someone to fall in love with the color (5k, in that case), I am seriously considering either that or a Miata this summer, when funds loosen up. Do you take your mini to a specialist (BMW?) mechanic or just a general shop?

It would be hard to let go of the Cruze, since never has less than 5k felt so nice and modern and actually been reliable, but it is a bit boring and larger than I need.  Also, I should get rid of it before the transmission lives up to its reputation.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:29

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Here’s mine (with R52? wheels). It’s at about 94k and I’ve managed to keep it pretty darn clean. Don’t know why I always covet other MINIs as I really love mine lol.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 22:30

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I am the shop! :)

I have taken it to a Mini specialist in Detroit when I didnt have the space to work on it and to a Euro specialist in town when I want to get an alignment but its been quite a simple car to work on that doesnt require that many special tools so a general shop should be fine I think. There is a special tool to change the serpentine belt, although it can be done with a crowbar as well.

I think a Miata is more fun to put the roof down and slide it around but the Miata’s engine is nowhere near as special as the Mini’s . Thats the only reason I havent replaced my Mini with a NB miata (and never will).

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 03/07/2020 at 22:33

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Ooh wow that is super clean! Someday mine will be as well...I think as soon as it stops being my daily, I’ll be able to start cleaning her up. It is my forever car so I do have lots of time :)

Those wheels are called X-Lite, mine originally came with them (my profile pic has it). They have the distinction of being the lightest factory 16" wheels :D

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:38

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Thank you for the information. Mechanical simplicity is important, since I am not too knowledgeable in that field . But I do like top-down driving. Hmmm. . .

I actually cannot drive stick right now, so unless I want to waste the time of some hapless seller of an automatic version, I would probably have to go off gut instinct. I have plenty of time to decide, fortunately.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 22:44

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All the 1st gen S were manual so there is that :)

I started learning about how to work on vehicles by working on the Mini, there are a lot of diys on all the common points of failures and the forums are quite active as well. Check this guy out on youtube if you want to dive into working on a Mini:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCidMrO_BbCrugARNdm4PFzA

Cash Rewards > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:46

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Hmmm.... having owned on 05 r53 and currently owning an NB.... that’s a tough call. The MINI can be incredibly rewarding of driven right, but still is limited compared to the Miatas chassis. My exhaust on the Miata is modeled after the first gen Cooper S’s, so that helps, but the supercharger whine really was incredible. I don't know. The Miata as purchased was not in as good shape as my mini, and my mini was never riding on adjustable coilovers with adjustable swaybars and end links. Gun to my head, Miata, but I'd love to get back into a r53 one day, just to see

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Cash Rewards 03/07/2020 at 22:55

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The way I see it is that I would probably buy a Miata if I had never owned a Mini or a Miata . But now that I own one, I cannot imagine owning a Miata, I just dont like to have 2 similar cars. Plus, I really like my Mini now so I’m not gonna sell it.

I too dont have proper suspension on mine yet, its on stock everything with a stiffer rear swaybar. But thats why I bought the E46 so that I can basically turn the Mini into a racecar!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability 03/07/2020 at 22:59

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Thank  you for this enlightening advice. I will certainly do some research.

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 03/07/2020 at 23:00

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NP, thats what Oppo is for! Feel free to bug me if you want any help with Minis or anything else that I can help with.