MDifficult’s E82 1M Coupe & Ariel Atom 3
Discussion
So last night was Pistonheads Snetterton track evening which, if I had to pick a word, I would describe as 'eventful' for the MINI and I 
Despite a completely trouble-free shake-down at the weekend, things started badly as soon as I drove off the driveway with an ABS, TC, Tire Pressure warnings lighting up the dash. I knew this could be a possibility so had packed a spare ABS sensor, but it still meant a 2.5 hour drive on busy motorways with no ABS which certainly focused the mind!
We arrived at Snetterton with about 30 minutes to spare before the (apparently mandatory) sighting laps, so we hurried to sign on and get the noise testing done, which left me about 15-20 minutes to get the ABS sensor changed before I needed to be ready to move - interesting for a task I'd never done before (but I knew the theory so...).
For those of you wondering why I was even bothering... I just didn't like the idea of hitting the track with no ABS. I was plagued with visions of being fully locked-up and piling into the back of someone's pride and joy!
Jack out. Car up. Wheel off. Unplug Sensor. Undo sensor bolt. So far... so good. I knew that this next step would be the killer... to remove the sensor without snapping it off in the upright (which would mean I was officially buggered). I said a little prayer to the patron saint of trackdays and pulled... and out it came! Inspecting it, it was SO close to snapping (it was half-snapped) so the prayer worked.
New sensor in. Bolt down. Cable tie. Connect up. Wheel on. Jack down. Torque nuts. Clear up Tools. Start car. Dash lights out! Join back of queue heading out for sighting laps. PHEW! (it genuinely was that close).
I'd never driven Snetterton 300 before (apart from in Project Cars) so took it very slowly for the first stint... right up until I over-cooked it through Hamilton, chickened out, lost the back, caught it, lost it again on the dirt, half spun and screeeeeeched to an ignominious halt.
If you're amused by the sight of an idiot frantically twirling his arms, here you go...
After that little wake-up I got back at it, with some friendly coaching from Ben Lowden significantly improving my approach to Riches, as well as the Brundle/Nelson and Coram/Murrays changed of direction - Thanks Ben!
I also took passenger rides with both Ben and MrTouring and it's clear that Snetterton is really suited to the RenaultSport Megane. The turbo punch and the grip in the slow corners really standing out.
Other than that though, all was going swimmingly with the MINI tussling with a few other MINIs, MX5s, Fiestas extra while keeping out the way of phalanxes of M3s at warp speed.
That was until about 10 minutes of the evening to go...
Earlier in the last stint the car had developed some new noises. "That'll be pick up on the tires" I told myself.
It wasn't.
What it WAS was the sound of impending supercharger belt failure. Blatting down the Senna straight I was suddenly faced with a loud bang, no power steering and a dash lit up like Blackpool illuminations. I was absolutely convinced I'd killed it.
I made it around Riches and pulled up on the right after the corner. Realising the engine was still running and I had oil pressure (so it hadn't blow up) I reversed it behind the armco at the direction of the marshal and looked under the bonnet. Where once was a supercharger belt was now.... nothing but little strands. Whoops!
Thankfully the belt didn't destroy anything else during its departure from this world so I drove the escape road back to pits just as the chequered flag was going out.
There was no way I would be able to limp home - no power steering, no alternator and about 12bhp wouldn't do the job. Also, I'd brought a spare belt and the belt-fitting tool so I had what I needed to fix it. The only challenge being that I'd never done it before!
I know that some people can fit a new belt from above but there was zero chance of me managing that... firstly I simply couldn't see enough to figure out the routing and secondly, with my brake ducts and oil cooler lines its TIGHT down there.
Jack out. Car up. Wheel off. Wheel arch liner out.
This was the moment that it became obvious big professional race trucks were arriving for tomorrows racing and I was blocking one of the spaces. I had a race against time to get the new belt fitted and get home. Just a little bit of added pressure to hurry up then!
Thankfully, the patron saint of trackdays smiled on me again. The tensioner tool worked exactly as YouTube promised it would, and the belt, though extremely fiddly to get around the AC compressor actually sat itself into position very easily once it was all in the right place. Two 'proper' mechanics also showed up at this point to see if I needed a hand... I showed them my work which they checked out and agreed... yup... I'd fixed it properly!
Elated but exhausted by this point I had to quickly.. Release tensioner. Arch liner back in. Wheel on. Car down. Torque nuts. Start engine... ALL GOOD!
Quickly threw everything into the boot and moved the car away to an area where I wasn't massively annoying a chap driving a race transporter
Did it hold? Damn right it did - we drove the 150 miles back home with no issues.
So, as I said... eventful! Loved the track. Loved the car. Even loved fixing the problems - nothing like learning an entirely new skill under intense pressure!
Massive thanks to Ben, Matt and all at Pistonheads for organising. Here's some highlights...
Despite a completely trouble-free shake-down at the weekend, things started badly as soon as I drove off the driveway with an ABS, TC, Tire Pressure warnings lighting up the dash. I knew this could be a possibility so had packed a spare ABS sensor, but it still meant a 2.5 hour drive on busy motorways with no ABS which certainly focused the mind!
We arrived at Snetterton with about 30 minutes to spare before the (apparently mandatory) sighting laps, so we hurried to sign on and get the noise testing done, which left me about 15-20 minutes to get the ABS sensor changed before I needed to be ready to move - interesting for a task I'd never done before (but I knew the theory so...).
For those of you wondering why I was even bothering... I just didn't like the idea of hitting the track with no ABS. I was plagued with visions of being fully locked-up and piling into the back of someone's pride and joy!
Jack out. Car up. Wheel off. Unplug Sensor. Undo sensor bolt. So far... so good. I knew that this next step would be the killer... to remove the sensor without snapping it off in the upright (which would mean I was officially buggered). I said a little prayer to the patron saint of trackdays and pulled... and out it came! Inspecting it, it was SO close to snapping (it was half-snapped) so the prayer worked.
New sensor in. Bolt down. Cable tie. Connect up. Wheel on. Jack down. Torque nuts. Clear up Tools. Start car. Dash lights out! Join back of queue heading out for sighting laps. PHEW! (it genuinely was that close).
I'd never driven Snetterton 300 before (apart from in Project Cars) so took it very slowly for the first stint... right up until I over-cooked it through Hamilton, chickened out, lost the back, caught it, lost it again on the dirt, half spun and screeeeeeched to an ignominious halt.
If you're amused by the sight of an idiot frantically twirling his arms, here you go...
After that little wake-up I got back at it, with some friendly coaching from Ben Lowden significantly improving my approach to Riches, as well as the Brundle/Nelson and Coram/Murrays changed of direction - Thanks Ben!
I also took passenger rides with both Ben and MrTouring and it's clear that Snetterton is really suited to the RenaultSport Megane. The turbo punch and the grip in the slow corners really standing out.
Other than that though, all was going swimmingly with the MINI tussling with a few other MINIs, MX5s, Fiestas extra while keeping out the way of phalanxes of M3s at warp speed.
That was until about 10 minutes of the evening to go...
Earlier in the last stint the car had developed some new noises. "That'll be pick up on the tires" I told myself.
It wasn't.
What it WAS was the sound of impending supercharger belt failure. Blatting down the Senna straight I was suddenly faced with a loud bang, no power steering and a dash lit up like Blackpool illuminations. I was absolutely convinced I'd killed it.
I made it around Riches and pulled up on the right after the corner. Realising the engine was still running and I had oil pressure (so it hadn't blow up) I reversed it behind the armco at the direction of the marshal and looked under the bonnet. Where once was a supercharger belt was now.... nothing but little strands. Whoops!
Thankfully the belt didn't destroy anything else during its departure from this world so I drove the escape road back to pits just as the chequered flag was going out.
There was no way I would be able to limp home - no power steering, no alternator and about 12bhp wouldn't do the job. Also, I'd brought a spare belt and the belt-fitting tool so I had what I needed to fix it. The only challenge being that I'd never done it before!
I know that some people can fit a new belt from above but there was zero chance of me managing that... firstly I simply couldn't see enough to figure out the routing and secondly, with my brake ducts and oil cooler lines its TIGHT down there.
Jack out. Car up. Wheel off. Wheel arch liner out.
This was the moment that it became obvious big professional race trucks were arriving for tomorrows racing and I was blocking one of the spaces. I had a race against time to get the new belt fitted and get home. Just a little bit of added pressure to hurry up then!
Thankfully, the patron saint of trackdays smiled on me again. The tensioner tool worked exactly as YouTube promised it would, and the belt, though extremely fiddly to get around the AC compressor actually sat itself into position very easily once it was all in the right place. Two 'proper' mechanics also showed up at this point to see if I needed a hand... I showed them my work which they checked out and agreed... yup... I'd fixed it properly!
Elated but exhausted by this point I had to quickly.. Release tensioner. Arch liner back in. Wheel on. Car down. Torque nuts. Start engine... ALL GOOD!
Quickly threw everything into the boot and moved the car away to an area where I wasn't massively annoying a chap driving a race transporter
Did it hold? Damn right it did - we drove the 150 miles back home with no issues.
So, as I said... eventful! Loved the track. Loved the car. Even loved fixing the problems - nothing like learning an entirely new skill under intense pressure!
Massive thanks to Ben, Matt and all at Pistonheads for organising. Here's some highlights...
lets be honest It would be no fun if everything went to plan would it 
Good work on the fix and it is a nice feeling when you turn a problem in to a win .
Is this a full fix then with the belt change or do you need to inspect any other parts for damage .
On a side note how did you find Snetterton it was a track i was booked to do last year before my bit of trouble at Goodwood .
Good work on the fix and it is a nice feeling when you turn a problem in to a win .
Is this a full fix then with the belt change or do you need to inspect any other parts for damage .
On a side note how did you find Snetterton it was a track i was booked to do last year before my bit of trouble at Goodwood .
Court_S said:
Sounds like a rather eventful evening, good work sorting it all on the fly though. 
Kaveney said:
lets be honest It would be no fun if everything went to plan would it
Good work on the fix and it is a nice feeling when you turn a problem in to a win .
Is this a full fix then with the belt change or do you need to inspect any other parts for damage .
On a side note how did you find Snetterton it was a track i was booked to do last year before my bit of trouble at Goodwood .
Cheers both! It's so funny - at the time, it was so stressful and exhausting but then followed by absolute elation that I got it sorted! My spannering ability is so minimal it's a joke Good work on the fix and it is a nice feeling when you turn a problem in to a win .
Is this a full fix then with the belt change or do you need to inspect any other parts for damage .
On a side note how did you find Snetterton it was a track i was booked to do last year before my bit of trouble at Goodwood .
Hopefully it's a full fix - I removed any last bits of the old belt and there was no other damage. So as long as it doesn't go again soon (which would indicate a tensioner issue or something) it should be job-jobbed. R53 supercharger belts failing on trackdays is a pretty common occurrence I understand, hence taking the spare and the tool!
As for Snetterton... I struggled a bit initially for a couple of reasons. There's number of corners where it was touch & go about whether to be in third or fourth. Third felt mechanically unsympathetic but fourth risked running in too hot. Secondly, there's two places on the track where you're braking-while-turning-while-changing then turning the other way (like Bundle/Nelson and Coram/Murrays) which means you're trying to do a LOT in a short space of time.
But, after a bit of help/confidence from Ben I managed to get my head around it and then really enjoyed it. Really good for track days I think too as regular overtaking spots.
Finally got around to ordering some of the pictures from Snetterton - Dear God the MSVR platform for buying pictures is a horror show
With BenLoweden on board..
Full chat...
Being hassled by yet another bloody white Clio200 (story of my life)
Titanic battle with the Fiesta...
I had one spare picture to use in my bundle, so decided to buy a cheeky shot of this beauty. Full respect to whoever was tracking this as BMW intended...
...and off into the sunset!
With BenLoweden on board..
Full chat...
Being hassled by yet another bloody white Clio200 (story of my life)
Titanic battle with the Fiesta...
I had one spare picture to use in my bundle, so decided to buy a cheeky shot of this beauty. Full respect to whoever was tracking this as BMW intended...
...and off into the sunset!
Kaveney said:
Nice pics and Mini looks Ace on track and i feel your pain as the MSV pictures take an age to come through .
The pick of the Blue fiesta makes me feel all nostalgic
Cheers! Didn’t take that long to come through this time but the website is a war crime. If they sorted it out, I bet they’d sell twice as many pictures (and could halve their ridiculous prices). The pick of the Blue fiesta makes me feel all nostalgic
Sorry about the Fiesta - hope I’ve not triggered some PTSD! Decided what you’re doing next yet?
MDifficult said:
Cheers! Didn’t take that long to come through this time but the website is a war crime. If they sorted it out, I bet they’d sell twice as many pictures (and could halve their ridiculous prices).
Sorry about the Fiesta - hope I’ve not triggered some PTSD! Decided what you’re doing next yet?
PTSD l like that made me smile .Sorry about the Fiesta - hope I’ve not triggered some PTSD! Decided what you’re doing next yet?
With regards to what is next we are all ready off and running
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
No major updates - the MINI is resting in the garage waiting for something to do, and the 1M is getting ready for its MOT on Friday.
That said, I decided to take the latter out for a proper 'drive' over the weekend as the jubilee meant quiet roads, the weather was glorious and I had nothing to do and nowhere to be, and 150 miles of driving and photographing was the perfect thing to do. Here's a few highlights...
Summer evening over the A34...
Lovely shot at Pistonheads' new favourite car test photo location (I was there first!!)
A cheeky stop-and-shoot on the bridge between Streatley & Goring (I rushed as I didn't want to hold up traffic and it wasn't as good as I'd hoped!)
Plus some moody stuff at the local skate park/car wash...
Other than that, I'm toying with having the 1M ceramic coated as all the cool kids are doing it, it lives outside, and as much as I love cleaning cars... white is b
h to keep perfect.
Interesting to note that there'll be a piece about the 1M on an upcoming episode of Top Gear (I'm guessing they'll be covering 50 years of 'M'). I think it's being driven by Paddy (facepalm) but fingers-crossed they'll say nice things and it'll open Alpine White 1Ms up to a new generation of young people and pump the values just a little more
That said, I decided to take the latter out for a proper 'drive' over the weekend as the jubilee meant quiet roads, the weather was glorious and I had nothing to do and nowhere to be, and 150 miles of driving and photographing was the perfect thing to do. Here's a few highlights...
Summer evening over the A34...
Lovely shot at Pistonheads' new favourite car test photo location (I was there first!!)
A cheeky stop-and-shoot on the bridge between Streatley & Goring (I rushed as I didn't want to hold up traffic and it wasn't as good as I'd hoped!)
Plus some moody stuff at the local skate park/car wash...
Other than that, I'm toying with having the 1M ceramic coated as all the cool kids are doing it, it lives outside, and as much as I love cleaning cars... white is b
h to keep perfect. Interesting to note that there'll be a piece about the 1M on an upcoming episode of Top Gear (I'm guessing they'll be covering 50 years of 'M'). I think it's being driven by Paddy (facepalm) but fingers-crossed they'll say nice things and it'll open Alpine White 1Ms up to a new generation of young people and pump the values just a little more
Very nice and great pictures did you take them ?
Not sure if you have seen the below link but there is a section on the 1M that they love .
https://youtu.be/fnuE3RdjXjs
Not sure if you have seen the below link but there is a section on the 1M that they love .
https://youtu.be/fnuE3RdjXjs
outnumbered said:
Nice pics.
FYI there is very occasionally a motorcycle copper sitting behind Pistonheads favourite graffiti'd tank, ready to catch enthusiastic drivers coming out of Wantage.
Thanks! Yeah, I love that road but always take it relatively easy the first time and then with a little more vigour on the way back FYI there is very occasionally a motorcycle copper sitting behind Pistonheads favourite graffiti'd tank, ready to catch enthusiastic drivers coming out of Wantage.
Kaveney said:
Very nice and great pictures did you take them ?
Not sure if you have seen the below link but there is a section on the 1M that they love .
https://youtu.be/fnuE3RdjXjs
Thanks! Yeah, actually watched that last night. Was a little disappointed that such a well-respected journo just repeated all the old tropes about most of the cars (E30 is too slow, CSL/V10 M5 gearbox is crap, 1M seat too high, modern cars are too heavy etc) but interesting to hear how differently the GTS was viewed now vs launch. Not sure if you have seen the below link but there is a section on the 1M that they love .
https://youtu.be/fnuE3RdjXjs
As you say though, lots of positivity for the 1M which is always nice. My performance seat means the seating position is lower BUT… I actually think what most people pick up on isn’t that the seat is ‘high’ but actually that the glasshouse and scuttle/dash are quite low (if that makes sense). Net result is the same, but the seat height is peanuts compared to something like a Fiat 500.
Some cracking photos as always.
I’ve not caught up with the latest series of TG yet, but the M thing might make me crack on with it (I enjoyed Carfection’s video on the M3 specials).
The seats in my 335i are way too high….the joyful combination of electric, folding seats. My other half’s 125i seat felt too high when I had my M140i, but now it feels super low.
I’ve not caught up with the latest series of TG yet, but the M thing might make me crack on with it (I enjoyed Carfection’s video on the M3 specials).
The seats in my 335i are way too high….the joyful combination of electric, folding seats. My other half’s 125i seat felt too high when I had my M140i, but now it feels super low.
RoadRunner220 said:
Nice pictures.
I love the 1M, it's yet another car on my endless list of "must own one at some point".
Thanks very much - I’m probably biased but I heartily recommend it! I love the 1M, it's yet another car on my endless list of "must own one at some point".
Court_S said:
Some cracking photos as always.
I’ve not caught up with the latest series of TG yet, but the M thing might make me crack on with it (I enjoyed Carfection’s video on the M3 specials).
The seats in my 335i are way too high….the joyful combination of electric, folding seats. My other half’s 125i seat felt too high when I had my M140i, but now it feels super low.
Thank mate. Yeah, I loved the Carfection one on the M3 because he covered the old tropes but also had something genuinely new and interesting to say about each model - really refreshing. Not surprising though.. Catchpole is on his absolute A-game at the moment. I’ve not caught up with the latest series of TG yet, but the M thing might make me crack on with it (I enjoyed Carfection’s video on the M3 specials).
The seats in my 335i are way too high….the joyful combination of electric, folding seats. My other half’s 125i seat felt too high when I had my M140i, but now it feels super low.
The MINI continues to languish in the garage eager for something to do - I think it's getting worried about being sold
But the 1M continues to make the most of the summer! Firstly MrTouring and I decided to make the most of the longest days and do a proper dawn raid meeting at 5am last Saturday for a lap of the Cotswolds. It's a very early start but rewards you with the best driving conditions you're ever going to find in the UK - gloriously deserted roads, wonderful warm weather, and home by the time the rest of the family wakes up.
A quick check of the trip meter (and the almost-total lack of photos) shows what a good time we managed to have:
5:08 departure
3:55 hours journey
184 miles covered
21.2mpg avg
49.5mph avg
That's how it's done! Really need to get a few more of these in before the long days are gone again. We managed time for one photo!
Next, it was a return to the Cotswolds last night for a visit to Caffeine & Machine for the Autocar/BMW M-Fest meet. I'll let MrTouring update his thread with the full story of why we were there and what's he's up to - but for me it was a chance go and revel in my favourite car brand.
Happily, there was a Black and Orange 1M there, so we managed to group them together for a 'Holy Trinity' shot:
So much else to see though, with pretty much every variant of M car brought along by owners. My personal favourites were an E39 M5 in Oxford Green with Tan/Walnut interior, an E30 fitted with an S85 V10, and an OEM+ E46 M3 Manual in Estoril Blue. That lot's pretty hard to beat!
Didn't take many other pictures (there were so many pros with SLRs wandering around I left it to the experts) but it was a great evening. Left about 9 and enjoyed a swift but relaxing jaunt across the Cotswolds to home. Had to stop for one more picture though
But the 1M continues to make the most of the summer! Firstly MrTouring and I decided to make the most of the longest days and do a proper dawn raid meeting at 5am last Saturday for a lap of the Cotswolds. It's a very early start but rewards you with the best driving conditions you're ever going to find in the UK - gloriously deserted roads, wonderful warm weather, and home by the time the rest of the family wakes up.
A quick check of the trip meter (and the almost-total lack of photos) shows what a good time we managed to have:
5:08 departure
3:55 hours journey
184 miles covered
21.2mpg avg
49.5mph avg
That's how it's done! Really need to get a few more of these in before the long days are gone again. We managed time for one photo!
Next, it was a return to the Cotswolds last night for a visit to Caffeine & Machine for the Autocar/BMW M-Fest meet. I'll let MrTouring update his thread with the full story of why we were there and what's he's up to - but for me it was a chance go and revel in my favourite car brand.
Happily, there was a Black and Orange 1M there, so we managed to group them together for a 'Holy Trinity' shot:
So much else to see though, with pretty much every variant of M car brought along by owners. My personal favourites were an E39 M5 in Oxford Green with Tan/Walnut interior, an E30 fitted with an S85 V10, and an OEM+ E46 M3 Manual in Estoril Blue. That lot's pretty hard to beat!
Didn't take many other pictures (there were so many pros with SLRs wandering around I left it to the experts) but it was a great evening. Left about 9 and enjoyed a swift but relaxing jaunt across the Cotswolds to home. Had to stop for one more picture though
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