I had been keeping an eye on it - watching for signs that the inner rubber was collapsing. I hadn't seen any evidence, but with the car 500 miles away from 100K, I decided not to tempt fate any longer and ordered a new mount from Pelican Parts.
First step was to get the car off the ground and onto jack stands. Someday I will have a lift...
Next step was to disconnect the ground strap and a few other hoses and clips. The bottom of the mount is held on with a TORX E10 torque to yield bolt that is one time use. I thought I might be able to remove it with just a 10mm socket, but no joy so it was off to McKlendon's then O'rielly's for the special socket. The second stop had it, but I had to buy a set and expand my tool collection. Once I was sure I could losen that bolt I removed the top engine mount after supporting the engine with a trolley jack and a 2x4.
Assembly was the reverse of dis-assembly as they say.
The E10 torque to yield TORX bolt was interesting. You torqued it to 41.5 ft-lbs and then tightened it an additional 90 degrees.
I'd like to say that the car doesn't vibrate as much (it wasn't vibrating to begin with) and shifting feel has improved (no shift issues before either), but I can't. It wasn't a hard job or time consuming (except for the two store stop to find the TORX socket). Hopefully it's good for anther 100K miles.
I really like your blogs, G! Even though racing isn't my thing, your Vintage blog is obviously a labor of love. I hope you get a chance to get back to it some day, when time allows.
ReplyDeleteGot a question for you; do all Mini variants have the little secret (well, not-so-obvious) glove box in them?
Anyway, once again good job and have a great day!
Thanks for the comments K2!
ReplyDeleteNo, the first generation BMW-MINI, like mine doesn't have the secret second glovebox. That started with the second gen. Not sure if the new 3rd gen has it.
Thanks! I've been wondering about that. I'll have to find out about the 3rd gen.
ReplyDeleteHad a thought, G; what about an ALL4 Countryman for the Mrs.? Too small, no room for the puppers? A quick search on cars.com popped up quite a few within your budget.
Funny, I didn't even think about them, but then again I don't think there is anything Mini about them. She thinks it would be too small. Whew, I would hate to have to look at one every morning in the drive.
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That picture is hilarious. They really do look alike.
DeleteThere's a Mini (MINI? MiNi? MINi? mini?) dealer down the street. Country/Clubman aside, I hadn't realized how big the Paceman is in comparison. Wow.
Do you think the Coupe will be a collector item some day? Surely they can't be selling that many of them. I only see one on the street once in a blue moon.
I heard they stopped making the coupe as they weren't selling well. Kinda makes me wonder if the fact that people don;t like them now, they won't like them much more in the distant future, so they will be more of a curiosity and not a mainstream collectible. Do you think any of the BMW-Mini's will be collectible?
DeleteHuh. I didn't know that about the Coupe. I found an article on a BMW site that said that's true and includes the Roadster. It also stated that it was the plan all along. I assume because of the switch to the F. But it's most likely because of what you said; no sales. Surely they would have found a way if sales were through the roof.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever driven a Coupe? I haven't and I'd like to see how it handles. I've been told it takes that "on rails" feel to whole new level.
That's a really interesting question; will any of the Mini models become collectibles? I don't really know, but I do know that there are a group of guys and gals that absolutely idolize them, especially the quintessential hatchbacks. Maybe you know one. So yeah, I think it might be a possibility. I'm just taking a stab in the dark, but of any of them I'd think the R53 would be the best bet. For my dad, I know how much he likes the supercharger over the turbo, combined with the classic shape. Will the Coupe and Roadster become collectible too? That one I'm not willing to bet on but still, it wouldn't surprise me. I'd think the Convertible might be a model that could be worth something in the future, too. Probably not any of the others. But what do I know. I never thought any 80s cars would be worth anything, especially JDM. And look how wrong I was there, thankfully.
I was trying to think of another car that occupies a similar market space. The Veloster Turbo is too cheap and aimed at the economy side of the scale, regardless of how good it is or not. The GTI is too big, so are all the rest like it. I don't see people viewing the Fiesta ST anywhere near any of the Mini models, plus it's a 5-door of course. Can you think of any cars that share the same market niche as the Mini hatchback, specifically the turbos? The size, the premium perception, the handling...those are bits very well locked down by the BMW Mini, I think. They did a masterful job of marketing, I'll give you that. Time will tell if the new direction(s) were the right decision.
Have a great day!
I can hear the Germans now about the coupe: "Zat vas zee plan all alongk." I've never driven a coupe, I just assumed it would be like my R53 with a little more heft that the second gen cars have over he first.
DeleteI can't think of any other 3 door hatch that fills the segment that the Mini occupies. Like you said, maybe the Fiesta ST, but its a 5 door. Seems like that is what the US buyer wants is more doors (or SUV's), witness the 5 door Mini that just came out and the 5 door Jeep. Sad, that we have become a nation of sensible shoes. I guess starting this year, you can't get a 3 door GTI in the US either. Too bad. I think my next car is going to be a used NC or ND Miata or maybe a FR-S. I think they are the only lightweight RWD cars left. I've had FWD for my last 3 cars, I'd like to go back to RWD for a change.
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ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing. I will send you an email. Sorry to the other person that reads this blog, that we are taking this off line...
DeleteI didn't censor K2, i took his post off that had his lightly obfuscated email address in it so he wouldn't get a bunch of emails from the UN Department of Lotto Winnings.
DeleteThank you. That was mighty thoughtful of you.
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