Mini GP #0622... The ultimate daily?
Discussion
Evening gents,
Well, my beloved Clio 182 has gone to a new home and my new daily is a 27k mile Mini GP, number 622 of 2000 ever made.
I'm in Essex and no stranger to modified cars, but a new guy to Minis. I'm a 31 year old prototype engine development engineer, my history is Cosworths and Subarus. My Impreza I have at the moment has been with me for 10 years now and is currently being converted to WRC S8 spec.
My daily for the last 4.5 years has been a Renaultsport Clio 182 of which I've absolutely loved. Cracking handling and gutsy little motor. Owned her since she was 8k miles old and just sold her yesterday week to the very first viewer.
After much searching thoughout the country and looking at some absolute s
te examples. I found a 27k mile minter in Norwich, 2 owners from new and 100% factory standard with full BMW service history.
After a little clean
The 182
Many of you know my project Impreza
The Impreza, all 573bhp/520lbsft of it.
Currently how the Impreza looks. :roll:
Well, my beloved Clio 182 has gone to a new home and my new daily is a 27k mile Mini GP, number 622 of 2000 ever made.
I'm in Essex and no stranger to modified cars, but a new guy to Minis. I'm a 31 year old prototype engine development engineer, my history is Cosworths and Subarus. My Impreza I have at the moment has been with me for 10 years now and is currently being converted to WRC S8 spec.
My daily for the last 4.5 years has been a Renaultsport Clio 182 of which I've absolutely loved. Cracking handling and gutsy little motor. Owned her since she was 8k miles old and just sold her yesterday week to the very first viewer.
After much searching thoughout the country and looking at some absolute s
te examples. I found a 27k mile minter in Norwich, 2 owners from new and 100% factory standard with full BMW service history. - 622 will be my daily, but by no means left uncared for. #622 is positively luxury compared to what my Impreza will be when it comes back and rebuilt. I wanted a bonkers, fun and special car, and these are rock solid on their money and a truly unique and special car. I've never even seen another on the road.
After a little clean
The 182
Many of you know my project Impreza
- ProjectWRCS8
The Impreza, all 573bhp/520lbsft of it.
Currently how the Impreza looks. :roll:
Okay so, 3 weeks in and actually quite falling in love with the gutsy little GP.
As this is my daily, it's staying as OEM as possible or OEM plus. One of the first things I always do when buying a new car is put a set of clean plates on it and ditch all the tatty dealer marked stuff. So some new plates were ordered up from a friend, and decided to put her build number on the bottom just as a little extra to the car.
She obviously had to wear her obligatory Pistonheads sticker on the rear glass too
Now she has only done 27k miles at a snails pace but that doesn't mean she's perfect, so I started compiling a short list of jobs just to make her as good as poss.
Firstly was the knackered engine mount which was causing a very slight tap on transmission take up. So a call to my local BMW/Mini specialist to order a new genuine one. If this one dies shortly then I'll reluctantly go with a Vibratechnics, but for now I want to stay OEM with anything that can be seen like that.
Dead mount
Out with the old, in with the new. Honest,y took longer to jack the car up than it did to can ge the mount. Lol
New Genuine BMWMini mount in.
As she's my daily, one of the few changes I always make is fitting an Alpine head unit. I've had loads of these, they're bombproof, sound great and easy to use. This syncs with my iPhone and streams all my music as well as have a built in Parrot kit. So in that went.
Obviously the OEM one is safely tucked away for install another day.
As I cleaned the car I found the fasteners on the rear wing and mirrors were rusty. So these got swapped for some stainless items as they're on the outside of the car and can be occasionally seen.
Under the wing
On the door mirrors.
In this time I had also decided that it was worth while booking the car in with Mark at Hallmark for him to give it a health check. I'm a mechanic myself but this is my first mini and thought it worthwhile of 30 min labour charge for them to give the car a once over.
I'm pleased to say they said it was one of the nicest they had ever seen. Even with all 4 jacking point covers haha. Which I'm told are always missing.
Her only faults being perished wishbone bushes and tyres. As said, she's 9 years old and the rear tyres are the originals she left the factory with. These were already on the list to replace.
The car is booked in to have the front bushes done next week. I've also found that 2 of the wheels have been refinished, all be it quite subtlety done. They have been painted silver instead of diamond cut for some reason.
So even though they are immaculate, I am going to get them refinished properly before fitting the new tyres.
Look carefully and you can see the rim is painted.
The other side of the rim is still diamond cut.
So these will be going to Rimfurbish as soon as I can sort some loan wheels from somewhere.
Also on the radar are to replace these dash panels as they have some marks on them. Anyone have a mint one to sell and can the tachometer bezel be changed?
Other than that, I've just waxed it up for the summer and so far enjoying this special little car.
As this is my daily, it's staying as OEM as possible or OEM plus. One of the first things I always do when buying a new car is put a set of clean plates on it and ditch all the tatty dealer marked stuff. So some new plates were ordered up from a friend, and decided to put her build number on the bottom just as a little extra to the car.
She obviously had to wear her obligatory Pistonheads sticker on the rear glass too
Now she has only done 27k miles at a snails pace but that doesn't mean she's perfect, so I started compiling a short list of jobs just to make her as good as poss.
Firstly was the knackered engine mount which was causing a very slight tap on transmission take up. So a call to my local BMW/Mini specialist to order a new genuine one. If this one dies shortly then I'll reluctantly go with a Vibratechnics, but for now I want to stay OEM with anything that can be seen like that.
Dead mount
Out with the old, in with the new. Honest,y took longer to jack the car up than it did to can ge the mount. Lol
New Genuine BMWMini mount in.
As she's my daily, one of the few changes I always make is fitting an Alpine head unit. I've had loads of these, they're bombproof, sound great and easy to use. This syncs with my iPhone and streams all my music as well as have a built in Parrot kit. So in that went.
Obviously the OEM one is safely tucked away for install another day.
As I cleaned the car I found the fasteners on the rear wing and mirrors were rusty. So these got swapped for some stainless items as they're on the outside of the car and can be occasionally seen.
Under the wing
On the door mirrors.
In this time I had also decided that it was worth while booking the car in with Mark at Hallmark for him to give it a health check. I'm a mechanic myself but this is my first mini and thought it worthwhile of 30 min labour charge for them to give the car a once over.
I'm pleased to say they said it was one of the nicest they had ever seen. Even with all 4 jacking point covers haha. Which I'm told are always missing.
Her only faults being perished wishbone bushes and tyres. As said, she's 9 years old and the rear tyres are the originals she left the factory with. These were already on the list to replace.
The car is booked in to have the front bushes done next week. I've also found that 2 of the wheels have been refinished, all be it quite subtlety done. They have been painted silver instead of diamond cut for some reason.
So even though they are immaculate, I am going to get them refinished properly before fitting the new tyres.
Look carefully and you can see the rim is painted.
The other side of the rim is still diamond cut.
So these will be going to Rimfurbish as soon as I can sort some loan wheels from somewhere.
Also on the radar are to replace these dash panels as they have some marks on them. Anyone have a mint one to sell and can the tachometer bezel be changed?
Other than that, I've just waxed it up for the summer and so far enjoying this special little car.
It's a comedy car really, but every time I look at it, I can't help but smile.
That's what this car is about, grins. I haven't even driven it fast yet as I don't trust the tyres. But you don't have to. Every time the charger whines up and the flap open in the special JCW air box. It's all just sounds so mega.
It's just so urgent everywhere.
And above all that, it's cool.... Really cool
That's what this car is about, grins. I haven't even driven it fast yet as I don't trust the tyres. But you don't have to. Every time the charger whines up and the flap open in the special JCW air box. It's all just sounds so mega.
It's just so urgent everywhere.
And above all that, it's cool.... Really cool
Brand new dash centre piece gone in tonight to replaced the marked item. I've also got a tachometer bezel on order too.
New dash piece looks lovely.
sorry for the cak photos. The light was fading and oddly it makes the dash look a different colour. In the flesh it looks the same, weird??
Also managed to secure a set of genuine JCW R53 mats today so they're on route too.
New dash piece looks lovely.
sorry for the cak photos. The light was fading and oddly it makes the dash look a different colour. In the flesh it looks the same, weird??Also managed to secure a set of genuine JCW R53 mats today so they're on route too.
Carlos24 said:
I seriously considered one of these before I got my WR1 such a cool little car and just the right amount of difference from the normal JCW so that people in the know notice.
Love those wheels as well!
Also your Impreza is the most completely awesome car project that I have ever seen,
Thanks very much Carlos. Love those wheels as well!
Also your Impreza is the most completely awesome car project that I have ever seen,
The Impreza isn't a 5 minute job. I must admit I'm really enjoying the GP. It's very unique and apart from the ones I viewed when attempting to purchase one, I've never seen another on the road. I had never driven one before going to buy one, I just really fancied one based on its reviews and spec.
Hopefully I can run it for a few years and come sale time, it shouldn't have lost a great deal.
Cheers mate. No I'm afraid you probably won't see it trackside anytime soon. Quite enjoying just using her daily at the mo.
It's a really cool little car and in such a short while, it's really got under my skin. I never really got the whole "Mini" thing, but this GP just makes you grin every time you see it.
It's a really cool little car and in such a short while, it's really got under my skin. I never really got the whole "Mini" thing, but this GP just makes you grin every time you see it.
Leins said:
Have you found most people don't believe it came as standard looking like that? I've had a few people ask me why I ditched the back seats - and as a tall one I usually tell them I couldn't fit with them in place 
Haha. Yeah, most people don't even know what it is. But those that do often say they have never seen one before. I does attract quite a few complements from people who just think it looks smart and say it looks different to other Minis.
I had her back at Hallmark yesterday for the front wishbones to be Polybushed. I haven't pushed it yet, but it does feel very direct and adware I say even more alert now.
MPoxon said:
I was wondering how long it would take before you started taking it apart!
Having seen this car in the flesh I can confirm it is fantastic example and in mint condition. I bet you will still miss the Clio though!
Hallmark is on my doorstep Matt, so I took her there when I bought it for a health check. She was indeed confirmed as mint as she looked except for 2 items. The tyres, and front wishbone bushes had perished due to age. Having seen this car in the flesh I can confirm it is fantastic example and in mint condition. I bet you will still miss the Clio though!
So I decided to Polybush the front and I have 4 brand new Michelin Pilot Supersports on the way.
I do 50 miles a day in mine with a mixture of county lanes, A & B roads. I drive what I consider to be normal for a petrolhead. So mostly that means I potter about but if the road is clear I occasionally open the taps to hear the supercharger wind up or may take a series of bends a bit swiftly.
Currently doing a solid 29.9mpg on Vpower.
My 182 on the exact same commute used to do 35mpg. So yeah its noticeably worse on fuel, but I forgive it that as its a special little car and isn't earth shattering to run.
Currently doing a solid 29.9mpg on Vpower.
My 182 on the exact same commute used to do 35mpg. So yeah its noticeably worse on fuel, but I forgive it that as its a special little car and isn't earth shattering to run.
High teens to low 20s must mean theyre driving like they stole it everywhere. Its quite well geared with lots of low down torque so you can short shift everywhere and still press on. I imagne that as many other owners are using a GP not as a dialy and just as a hoon wagon, therefore every time they drive it theyre giving it death so the low mpg as a result.
Maybe im getting old, as i dont feel the need to rag it everywhere or try and set a new record for getting to work?
I dont like work that much
Maybe im getting old, as i dont feel the need to rag it everywhere or try and set a new record for getting to work?
I dont like work that much
Okay so whats happened with #622 lately?
Firstly, something that was bugging me was that the GP came with the fixings for a boot luggage net, but no net?
I had one of these as standard in the old Clio and they really help, especially when there is no rear firewall to stop things rolling around. So done some digging and got a Genuine on of those, heres the part number if anyones intersted and wants one also.
Next was to get the wheels off to Pristine, so down to my local to get the Dunlop RF tyres removed as i had been kindly loaned some spare wheel/tyres to use in the meantime by a chap off the Mini GP Facebook page. Mega kind chap and im very appreciative.
Turns out you can get 4x 18" wheels and 4x18" tyres in a Mini. Lol.
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Next was to order the Genuine GP only mats for the car. These are one of those silly parts you can only order from BMW if you can prove you own a GP as they wont sell them to anyone else. Its nuts really as theyre identical to standard black mats, these just have the red stitching to match the OEM ret stitched Recaro trim. Bit sad really, but they all add to the feel.
On inspection at my local Mini specialist it was seen that the front lower arm bushes had perished due to age along with the tyres, so these were promptly booked in to be Polybushed. I know Polybushes are technically not a Genuine OEM part, however theyre an all win, no lose fit and forget item. No photos imafraid, however the Mini now has a nice tight front end and steering is very positive.
I attended the local Porsche Essex Summer BBQ like i do every year, whist there i got chatting to a chap who had some surplus JCW upgrades he was looking to get rid of. He offered me a genuine JCW strut brace for not a great deal of money. As this is a factory upgrade and removable, i figured it was passable upgrade.
However the brace comes with special turned nuts that are known to fail and are bloody expensive to replace (£8 each... i need 6!).
Upon investigating the nuts i found that they were an M8 thread inside a 10mm collar, this meant only 0.75mm wall thickness on the shoulder and it was obvious why they failed. One of the lads at work said he would machine me up some stronger fasteners, so he machined some heavy duty nuts for me, however this would not only make the fit a solid connection to the strut top, it would also remove the tolerance for fitment. So after an initial trial, it was clear that i could get 2x nuts on but the 3rd was out of alignment.
So we decided to press out the factory collar that was out of alignment and make a larger, stronger item so the brace could bolt up exactly to the top mount. This would have to be modified.
In the meantime i decided to give the GP a proper clean and polish, so it was a full day on a Sunday and she got the proper treatment:
Wash
Clay
Wash
DodoJuice Lime Prime paint cleaner
Clearkote Red Moose machine glaze
Poorboys EXP paint sealant
finished off with 2 coats of DodoJuice Purple Haze wax.
Finally she had a nice looking shine and i can just keep adding to the protection.
Then it was another check with the re machined top mounts for the strut brace. This now fits perfectly, so the nust have been taken to the local metal plater to be bright zinc coated as per OEM. Just waiting to get those back and the strut brace can go on.
Lastly the wheels came back from Pristine with 4x new Michelin Pilot Supersports on. Naturally the wheel arches got a clean before they went back on. I must say im very pleased with the job and the car finally drives beatufully on proper non RF tyres. Its smoother, quieter and corners like its on rails.
Firstly, something that was bugging me was that the GP came with the fixings for a boot luggage net, but no net?
I had one of these as standard in the old Clio and they really help, especially when there is no rear firewall to stop things rolling around. So done some digging and got a Genuine on of those, heres the part number if anyones intersted and wants one also.
Next was to get the wheels off to Pristine, so down to my local to get the Dunlop RF tyres removed as i had been kindly loaned some spare wheel/tyres to use in the meantime by a chap off the Mini GP Facebook page. Mega kind chap and im very appreciative.
Turns out you can get 4x 18" wheels and 4x18" tyres in a Mini. Lol.
[/URL]Next was to order the Genuine GP only mats for the car. These are one of those silly parts you can only order from BMW if you can prove you own a GP as they wont sell them to anyone else. Its nuts really as theyre identical to standard black mats, these just have the red stitching to match the OEM ret stitched Recaro trim. Bit sad really, but they all add to the feel.
On inspection at my local Mini specialist it was seen that the front lower arm bushes had perished due to age along with the tyres, so these were promptly booked in to be Polybushed. I know Polybushes are technically not a Genuine OEM part, however theyre an all win, no lose fit and forget item. No photos imafraid, however the Mini now has a nice tight front end and steering is very positive.
I attended the local Porsche Essex Summer BBQ like i do every year, whist there i got chatting to a chap who had some surplus JCW upgrades he was looking to get rid of. He offered me a genuine JCW strut brace for not a great deal of money. As this is a factory upgrade and removable, i figured it was passable upgrade.
However the brace comes with special turned nuts that are known to fail and are bloody expensive to replace (£8 each... i need 6!).
Upon investigating the nuts i found that they were an M8 thread inside a 10mm collar, this meant only 0.75mm wall thickness on the shoulder and it was obvious why they failed. One of the lads at work said he would machine me up some stronger fasteners, so he machined some heavy duty nuts for me, however this would not only make the fit a solid connection to the strut top, it would also remove the tolerance for fitment. So after an initial trial, it was clear that i could get 2x nuts on but the 3rd was out of alignment.
So we decided to press out the factory collar that was out of alignment and make a larger, stronger item so the brace could bolt up exactly to the top mount. This would have to be modified.
In the meantime i decided to give the GP a proper clean and polish, so it was a full day on a Sunday and she got the proper treatment:
Wash
Clay
Wash
DodoJuice Lime Prime paint cleaner
Clearkote Red Moose machine glaze
Poorboys EXP paint sealant
finished off with 2 coats of DodoJuice Purple Haze wax.
Finally she had a nice looking shine and i can just keep adding to the protection.
Then it was another check with the re machined top mounts for the strut brace. This now fits perfectly, so the nust have been taken to the local metal plater to be bright zinc coated as per OEM. Just waiting to get those back and the strut brace can go on.
Lastly the wheels came back from Pristine with 4x new Michelin Pilot Supersports on. Naturally the wheel arches got a clean before they went back on. I must say im very pleased with the job and the car finally drives beatufully on proper non RF tyres. Its smoother, quieter and corners like its on rails.
So ive been pretty busy lately,
Mainly that involved getting married and the GP has been getting better and better the more i drive it. I was however offered a cheap trackday at Snetterton so i thought sod it, its too good to pass up.
At that point i realised it would be rubbish on the Michelin Supersports that the car was on daily, so then i ended up ordering some new discs, pads, braidied hoses and fluid.
Brake bits yet to arrive, but in the meantime... some wheels and tyres happened too.
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Mainly that involved getting married and the GP has been getting better and better the more i drive it. I was however offered a cheap trackday at Snetterton so i thought sod it, its too good to pass up.
At that point i realised it would be rubbish on the Michelin Supersports that the car was on daily, so then i ended up ordering some new discs, pads, braidied hoses and fluid.
Brake bits yet to arrive, but in the meantime... some wheels and tyres happened too.
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
Its my daily that im keeping standard
C7 JFW said:
Good to see another Essex boy tying the knot! Many congratulations.
Good choice of a daily. The GP is probably the only mini I would ever consider. I like the tweaks you're doing and I'm very pleased you've had the diamond cut returned to all of those wheels - it would drive me spare knowing two were painted.
I look forward to your continuation of not modifying it. AP Racing brakes next?
Lmao, ive actually ordered some sensible brakes, just a Brembo high carbon plain discs and some DS2500 pads. Although I am tempted with some quality coilovers and maybe swapping out the supercharger pulley for a 17% version.Good choice of a daily. The GP is probably the only mini I would ever consider. I like the tweaks you're doing and I'm very pleased you've had the diamond cut returned to all of those wheels - it would drive me spare knowing two were painted.
I look forward to your continuation of not modifying it. AP Racing brakes next?
The pulley is a very inexpensive upgrade and i am told should take it to approx. 235-240bhp area?
Whatever I swap will only be something that can easily be swapped back as I will retain all the OE parts.
addz86 said:
I want to get a smaller pulley on mine but it's a pain apparently, usually have to cut the old one off...
I put a Numans cam in my last GP, that and a decat/manifold made 242 on the rollers
Old pulley should come off with a special mini supercharger pulley puller that's designed to do exactly that. I put a Numans cam in my last GP, that and a decat/manifold made 242 on the rollers
Pretty impressive figures. I'd imagine 250bhp in a GP is quite lively.
I don't want to start decating it to be honest. Just want to keep it sensible. I like it as it is including the stock JCW works exhaust.
Haven't updated this for a while, however shes had a couple of updates.
Full Inspection 2 service from Mini specialists Hallmark in Heybridge.
New BMW aux belt
New platinum plugs
Motul 300v oil
ITG/Vercchio foam air filter
Brembo HC front discs
Ferrodo DS 2500 front pads
Goodridge braided brake hoses
Motul RBF 600 brake fluid.
Then I took her to Snetterton last week, unfortunately it was wet. But the car was fantastic fun, didn't miss a beat all day and hussled some serious kit on track.
I may have accidently sourced some EXE-TC/Intrax coilovers for it too lol
Full Inspection 2 service from Mini specialists Hallmark in Heybridge.
New BMW aux belt
New platinum plugs
Motul 300v oil
ITG/Vercchio foam air filter
Brembo HC front discs
Ferrodo DS 2500 front pads
Goodridge braided brake hoses
Motul RBF 600 brake fluid.
Then I took her to Snetterton last week, unfortunately it was wet. But the car was fantastic fun, didn't miss a beat all day and hussled some serious kit on track.
I may have accidently sourced some EXE-TC/Intrax coilovers for it too lol
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