Second Mini GP 2 II Arrived!

[christurbo]

My other reader's cars thread is here - GT4



Looking back through my Pistonheads history its hard to believe that I had my last Mini GP 2 six years ago to the month:-

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

It was the famous press car (if you Googled Mini GP2 then it would be the first thing that came up (PNZ).

Since then I have had numerous 'fun' cars that I have enjoyed:-

- OG BMW M2 (pre-ordered when announced!)
- RS4
- RS3
- RS6
- Golf R (yes another one)
- 991 GT3

Im always on the look out for a new toy, and whilst I am looking for my next pork, I thought I would get another GP 2. Its one of the cars that I always regret selling (to fund the M2). This time however it will be a keeper. Like the GT3 it is depreciation proof and special enough to cherish forever.

What I realised about the GP2 is that its dynamics is very special and not unlike a GT car. Very pointy, unforgiving if you get ahead of yourself and don't finesse your inputs (so not for the computer game RS/Golf R drivers). A great car for a Sunday morning blast or a track day.

I started my search and was surprised at how much they had risen in value. My criteria was something that had been looked after with full main dealer / specialist service history. Also, a few 'functional' modifications that will enhance what I intend to use it for - Welsh B road Sunday morning blasts and track days.

I found a cracking example, from a dealer who was a huge enthusiast of GPs / Minis in general and had great respect in the GP circle.

Here is the spec:-

- 33k miles
- Full Main Dealer Service History
- Bilstein Coilover refurbishment (just done)
- New brakes all around (I'll be replacing though)
- Yokohama AD08Rs

Upgrades from a standard spec GP:-

- Recaro CS Buckets (Heated)
- Quaife Limited Slip Differential
- Organic Clutch and Lightweight Flywheel (GC Motorsport 666 Lucky Devil 385)
- Airtec Intercooler
- Decat and panel filter
- Stage 1 Lohen Map

The enhancements are all on my list to improve the GP and increase it's robustness.

There are a number of things I have on my list to do with the GP that I will document here. Immediate attention:-

- Machine Polish (paint correction) and ceramic coating
- Interior deep clean including the seats
- Steering wheel replacement to Alcantara
- SS brake lines
- Upgraded brake fluid
- Track pads
- Decal replacements (the front scoop is looking tired after 9 years)
- Etc

Here are some pics from the advert:

Edited by christurbo on Saturday 2nd July 09:07

[MDifficult]

Good luck with it! As a previous owner myself, I can see the attraction of ‘a second go’.

[christurbo]

They get under your skin! Hard to describe unless you have had a go of one.

Here it is on its first day after a 5 hour drive home.

[PistonbrokePaul]

Always loved these, ever since LOH's thread many years ago!

Bit of a random question, did you ever live in Cumbria with the press GP2? It used to live not far from mine and I wondered what happened to it as I asked my local dealer to call me if it ever came back in as a p/x

Will be watching this with interest, as I love the GP2. Do you know if there is a way to get cruise control retrofitted to a GP2 or is there something preventing it?

[Terminator X]

^^ same, lot of time for them. Good shout OP!

TX.

[Court_S]

That looks ace.

A friend of mine owned one for a while and he let me drive it a few times, they’re a lot of fun. I’d happily have one.

[christurbo]

PistonbrokePaul said:

Always loved these, ever since LOH's thread many years ago!

Bit of a random question, did you ever live in Cumbria with the press GP2? It used to live not far from mine and I wondered what happened to it as I asked my local dealer to call me if it ever came back in as a p/x

Will be watching this with interest, as I love the GP2. Do you know if there is a way to get cruise control retrofitted to a GP2 or is there something preventing it?

No - I bought it from MINI Coventry and lived in Staffordshire. I sold it to someone that still has it and I believe lives in Derbyshire. I said that I would buy it back if he ever wanted to sell it again.

Im not sure about the CC, however I guess it could be if you really wanted to.

[christurbo]

OK

Let's tackle the first job.

Paint correction and ceramic coating.

I wouldn't call myself an expert however I have paint corrected a black Range Rover Sport and ceramic coated it afterwards, which was like hell on earth due to the sheer size of it. It took many days to complete but it is still spotless and looks absolutely amazing. Cleaning is so easy as dirt repels from the paint so maintenance a breeze. So I'd say I'm fairly experienced.

Even though the GP is a small car so theoretically shouldn't take long, there are some challenges with the decals. The machine polisher will take them straight off if it goes near them and even specialist tape will damage them when removing. So I needed to be very careful.

I removed the front decals as they were faded, with replacements ready to go on. The side ones were fine. I also removed the rear GP badge as the previous owner or garage bought replacement ones but unfortunately put them on wonky. £60 just for the little GP badges but needed to be done.

I also took the plates off because they were not to my taste (3D/4D type), which left 9 year old adhesive and gunk.

Tools and kit I used:-

Wash & Prep
- Bilt Hamber Auto Foam
- Bilt Hamber Auto Wheel
- Bilt Hamber Korrosol
- Bilt Hamber foam wash
- Autofinese Clay Lube
- Built Hamber Clay bar


Paint correction:-
- Das Pro 6 Machine Polisher
- Chemical Guys Hex Logic Pads
- Scholl Concepts S20 1 Step Compound
- Panel Wipe
- Loads of microfibre cloths!

Ceramic Coating
- Gtechniq Crystal Serum
- Gtechniq EXO

The results were amazing and I guess it looks better than when it came out of the factory. I also had chance to coat the wheels and the brake callipers after cleaning out the arches. That will make blasting off the brake dust much easier now.

I also got round to refitting the new decal on the front to keep it original. A few said leave it off.... Its a GP though so that's my excuse!

A few pics.... next interior.

[Pflanzgarten]

Paint looks terrific, there's a certain stealth look to these without the decals for a not-so-stealthy MINI! How are the dampers holding up on these?

[christurbo]

Pflanzgarten said:

Paint looks terrific, there's a certain stealth look to these without the decals for a not-so-stealthy MINI! How are the dampers holding up on these?

You’d never believe it has 9 year old paint, it’s held up well.

The Bilstein shocks are a common issue on these with the knocks. I had new ones on my previous GP3 at 3 years old and 15k miles. This one has had a full refurbishment of each damper prior to me collecting it. So that should last me a while. If they go again I will most likely get a specialist set of coilovers for more adjustment. They are very good though, they don’t unsettle the car too much on the bumpy B roads, but they are definitely suited to a smoother surface such as a circuit.

[Pflanzgarten]

christurbo said:

Pflanzgarten said:

Paint looks terrific, there's a certain stealth look to these without the decals for a not-so-stealthy MINI! How are the dampers holding up on these?

You’d never believe it has 9 year old paint, it’s held up well.

The Bilstein shocks are a common issue on these with the knocks. I had new ones on my previous GP3 at 3 years old and 15k miles. This one has had a full refurbishment of each damper prior to me collecting it. So that should last me a while. If they go again I will most likely get a specialist set of coilovers for more adjustment. They are very good though, they don’t unsettle the car too much on the bumpy B roads, but they are definitely suited to a smoother surface such as a circuit.

Just watch out for the anti-roll bar drop links as well

[Leins]

Congrats on getting back into a GP, and that looks a lovely one. Brilliant cars, seriously punch above their weight in terms of driving enjoyment

Interesting on the decals and badges, as I removed them all from my GP1 when I had it detailed, and despite having a full set of new ones sitting in a box for the last seven years I’ve left it running plain ever since. I probably will get around to having them put on at some point, but I’m sticking with it for now (pun intended!)

Anyway, good luck with the new car!

[Court_S]

That looks lovely after a good cleaning session.

My friend got stung for the dampers when he took his to Centre Gravity for an alignment, it did drive much better with refurbed dampers and a good alignment.

[christurbo]

Leins said:

Congrats on getting back into a GP, and that looks a lovely one. Brilliant cars, seriously punch above their weight in terms of driving enjoyment

Interesting on the decals and badges, as I removed them all from my GP1 when I had it detailed, and despite having a full set of new ones sitting in a box for the last seven years I’ve left it running plain ever since. I probably will get around to having them put on at some point, but I’m sticking with it for now (pun intended!)

Anyway, good luck with the new car!

I admit it looks a lot more ‘aggressive/mean’ looking without.

I bet your GP1 is a keeper.

[Leins]

christurbo said:

I admit it looks a lot more ‘aggressive/mean’ looking without.

I bet your GP1 is a keeper.

It certainly is! I really wouldn’t know what to change it for, and know I’d miss it a lot

That’s the great thing about GPs, in that they fill a void that other cars don’t really cover off

[NeilAndHisMini]

Very nice, that looks fantastic.

Now on 80k miles in mine, and no plans to part with it. Know I'd regret it if I did, and end up looking for another one.

[christurbo]

Interior

The GP was really nicely kept inside however not to my standard. Jobs to complete:

- Clean and replenish the leather
- Deep clean of interior
- Replace Steering Wheel with an Alcantara rim (modified to remove any padding)

To be honest there was not much work to do really as it was in really good condition. However the leather was looking shiny and the bolster was going to wear unless sorted.

Jobs done:-

- Deep clean of the carpet and under the seats
- Leather clean using Colourlock cleaning and conditioning kit
- General de-grease using the Sonax Alcantara Cleaner (yes this works brilliantly on non-alcantara surfaces)


It came up brilliantly and it doesn't look like a 9 year old interior with 30k miles sat in it.









I then proceeded with replacing the GP leather wheel for the Alcantara rim. Nearly all my cars go through this ritual. I use Jack @ Royalsteeringwheels who stripped off all the padding so it became thinner (thus providing more feel), I think spec'd it the same as my GT3 wheel was like. So a decent grade alcantara with a thin red strip in the middle. The quality is spot on and was very easy to fit (unlike some cars I've done this on!) 10 mins in total.









Next will be some exterior bits / brake upgrades.

[tvrfan007]

Nice car, would happily have one myself, I imagine it's a hoot to drive. The wife's former R56 Cooper D left a big impression with its excellent handling once on Michelin non run flat tyres!

[christurbo]

tvrfan007 said:

Nice car, would happily have one myself, I imagine it's a hoot to drive. The wife's former R56 Cooper D left a big impression with its excellent handling once on Michelin non run flat tyres!

Yes, tyres make all the difference on these. I have Yokohama AD08Rs fitted, I used to have these on my first GP II and they were fantastic. However I read the compound changed on the newer tyres. I haven't made my mind up on them yet.

I'd like some Cup 2s if I could get them.

[addz86]

I’d love a GP2 there’s just something about them, I’ve had two GP1’s now and think I’ll have the scratch the 2 itch at some point