£1000 Vectra SRI daily shed
Discussion
Ouroboros said:
Glad you kept it.
I bought a car to save on fuel, then working from home lol.
Yeah, pretty happy with it now tbh - done 300 miles so far in this, 200 of which are this week already, really is like a different car now.I bought a car to save on fuel, then working from home lol.
I am working kind of hybrid at the moment, so in the office twice a week compared to daily, mixture of fast motorway and country lanes, get to 65/68mph it cruises really nice.
Still, this is cheaper than having a expensive depreciating diesel on the drive & running costs etc etc, nice having the capital in the bank rather than locked in a car, why didn't I do this years ago!!
One thing I've noticed so far, especially in this weather is how dirty MINI's get, I know the short rear overhang doesn't help the rear staying clean, but the rake of the front window means, your constantly on the washer jets!
Edited by 757 on Tuesday 7th December 08:20
757 said:
One thing I've noticed so far, especially in this weather is how dirty MINI's get, I know the short rear overhang doesn't help the rear staying clean, but the rake of the front window means, your constantly on the washer jets!
Noticed that when I owned a R56 too - filthy rear end. What condition is the windscreen in with those miles? At 40k miles mine was pitted/chipped to hell due to that rake you mention, it was terrible driving at night.That looks great with the steels and roofbars.
And they really drive better on smaller wheels don't they! I swapped from 17" with RFTs to 16" and non-RFTs on my Cooper S. Not a common thing to do but improved the ride and handling immensely.
a11y_m said:
Noticed that when I owned a R56 too - filthy rear end. What condition is the windscreen in with those miles? At 40k miles mine was pitted/chipped to hell due to that rake you mention, it was terrible driving at night.
That looks great with the steels and roofbars.
And they really drive better on smaller wheels don't they! I swapped from 17" with RFTs to 16" and non-RFTs on my Cooper S. Not a common thing to do but improved the ride and handling immensely.
The front windscreen is in a dire state, still useable That looks great with the steels and roofbars.
And they really drive better on smaller wheels don't they! I swapped from 17" with RFTs to 16" and non-RFTs on my Cooper S. Not a common thing to do but improved the ride and handling immensely.
but pitted and lots of repaired holes, it looks to be the original screen aswell - few more may result in me using my windscreen excess to get replacement, see how I go, did have a few advisories in the past due to this on the MOT.Definitely agree on the smaller wheels, super cheap tyres too and a fantastic ride quality, yeah people seem to get suckered into big fancy wheels, but I know a few mates have downsized their wheels on various cars just due to the state of the UK roads, gets very very tiresome daily.
757 said:
The front windscreen is in a dire state, still useable but pitted and lots of repaired holes, it looks to be the original screen aswell - few more may result in me using my windscreen excess to get replacement, see how I go, did have a few advisories in the past due to this on the MOT.
Definitely agree on the smaller wheels, super cheap tyres too and a fantastic ride quality, yeah people seem to get suckered into big fancy wheels, but I know a few mates have downsized their wheels on various cars just due to the state of the UK roads, gets very very tiresome daily.
From memory the 205/55/16s on my MINI were £55ea for decent Hankooks - almost cheaper than my MTB tyres. And, not that it matters on a daily shed, but smaller wheels = added lightness. Almost 5kg saving per wheel between 17" and 16" wheel/tyre combo for a MINI: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Not saying it'll be the same for 15" steels but you never know but pitted and lots of repaired holes, it looks to be the original screen aswell - few more may result in me using my windscreen excess to get replacement, see how I go, did have a few advisories in the past due to this on the MOT.Definitely agree on the smaller wheels, super cheap tyres too and a fantastic ride quality, yeah people seem to get suckered into big fancy wheels, but I know a few mates have downsized their wheels on various cars just due to the state of the UK roads, gets very very tiresome daily.
757 said:
shalmaneser said:
From memory the mini one only opens the throttle up to a maximum of 75% whereas the cooper opens the throttle 100% so a remap can be quite effective.
But that is a ten year old memory so it could be complete rubbish but might be worth looking in to
Possibly, I have read the 75bhp 1.4 'First', (this isn't a One, it has 20bhp less than a One) is actually quite tricky to bump up the power to the One let alone a Cooper, no idea why - doubt I will bother anyway, if it means spending money unessesarily, nah this is the shed game with this MINI But that is a ten year old memory so it could be complete rubbish but might be worth looking in to
It will get money spending on it if it requires it - only.
Im back in my Mini R55 Cooper S, and loving it. I bought an old Volvo at the start of the year, but that was recently sold and got this out of the garage and back on the road. So much fun on the back roads, cruises lovely on the motorway.
Changed the 17"s to 16"s with comfy tyres. Paint work is in a state, and the car is constantly dirty as well.
757 said:
Challo said:
Changed the 17"s to 16"s with comfy tyres. Paint work is in a state, and the car is constantly dirty as well.
Wheels look far more purposeful, its a good look going down a size, not fancy 15" steels...would they clear the calipers on a S? I want some roof bars, but have no need for them.
So, after a week of having the work done and about 350 miles under it's nice new chain.
I checked the oil levels and all is fine, hasn't lost any, so it's not burned anything noticeably either which is great!
I did add some Lucas stabilizer to the oil when we changed it, great stuff this as it slightly thinkens the oil (not by much but a enough) and quietens downs things.
I checked underneath and all is nice and dry so the oil leaks have been nicely rectified.
So far so good, the MINI has been a little trooper so far, sitting up at 70mph on the motorway holding its own, the lack of torque is hilarious though but it sits there quite happily and is remarkably comfortable really.
I do tend to come off a junction before my turn off and take it down the the country lanes, as its so fun chucking it about, dropping down a gear, all the noise and not actually going faster than 30mph!
Makes me humble thinking I'm mixing with some expensive cars on my commute but knowing my £800 MINI is hustling just aswell as the £££ leases and newer cars, is quite funny, we all still get there in the end
I checked the oil levels and all is fine, hasn't lost any, so it's not burned anything noticeably either which is great!
I did add some Lucas stabilizer to the oil when we changed it, great stuff this as it slightly thinkens the oil (not by much but a enough) and quietens downs things.
I checked underneath and all is nice and dry so the oil leaks have been nicely rectified.
So far so good, the MINI has been a little trooper so far, sitting up at 70mph on the motorway holding its own, the lack of torque is hilarious though but it sits there quite happily and is remarkably comfortable really.
I do tend to come off a junction before my turn off and take it down the the country lanes, as its so fun chucking it about, dropping down a gear, all the noise and not actually going faster than 30mph!
Makes me humble thinking I'm mixing with some expensive cars on my commute but knowing my £800 MINI is hustling just aswell as the £££ leases and newer cars, is quite funny, we all still get there in the end
a11y_m said:
From memory the 205/55/16s on my MINI were £55ea for decent Hankooks - almost cheaper than my MTB tyres. And, not that it matters on a daily shed, but smaller wheels = added lightness. Almost 5kg saving per wheel between 17" and 16" wheel/tyre combo for a MINI: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... Not saying it'll be the same for 15" steels but you never know
They’re cheaper than the £65 Maxxis want for a Minion or similar.OP, good stuff sticking with it. Looks like a cracking wee car for the cash and even better news that no oil has been lost.
Challo said:
They are off a MG so cheaper to buy, and lighter than standard Mini Alloys. Would love steelies, but I dont think they did any larger than 15"'s and you need a minimum of 16"s to clear the Cooper S calipers.
I want some roof bars, but have no need for them.
Renault made a few variants of 16 inch steel wheel in 4x100 for the Captur, the Mk4 Clio and the Dacia Stepway. You can get the typical steelies with round holes in or you can get really smart looking 5 spoke steelies too. You'd probably need spigot rings though because the centre bore is pretty large on Renaults.I want some roof bars, but have no need for them.
144,100 miles
My safety OCD gas got the better of me in terms of having brand new rubber at the front of the car, so quick swap REAR > FRONT etc - to get the older tyres worn down a little more, as they are getting on a little but with lots of tread (date code 2016..)??
Hoping to swap to full winters all year (whole set at somepoint once these wear down) if we have the car that long...no reason I won't at this rate.
Also, one jack will jack up the entire side of a MINI, makes the process such a quicker job
My safety OCD gas got the better of me in terms of having brand new rubber at the front of the car, so quick swap REAR > FRONT etc - to get the older tyres worn down a little more, as they are getting on a little but with lots of tread (date code 2016..)??
Hoping to swap to full winters all year (whole set at somepoint once these wear down) if we have the car that long...no reason I won't at this rate.
Also, one jack will jack up the entire side of a MINI, makes the process such a quicker job
Edited by 757 on Sunday 12th December 12:27
Had a really bent steel wheel, so knew it would be an issue at somepoint, did try and bang it back but seemed daft when I could just get a fresh used unbent one...so local scrappers for the win, £10!! Got my mate to rebalance my tyre onto it.
Even comes with extra dirt/brake dust, to match the rest of them
Even comes with extra dirt/brake dust, to match the rest of them
Well with a small bit of inspiration from this thread and a large lack of financial sense. I now have an R56 Cooper S sitting outside. Not quite the bargain you have for slogging the motorway, but a mini nonetheless and a high-miler to match (130k). I have found out something interesting though, apparently, if you equip yourself with the 15-inch alloys, the Ginetta Junior race series runs road-spec tyres in the form of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and can be found on a certain auction-site for around £100-ish for a set of 4...
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Edited by _Yeti on Friday 17th December 13:08
The Bearded Tit said:
Challo said:
They are off a MG so cheaper to buy, and lighter than standard Mini Alloys. Would love steelies, but I dont think they did any larger than 15"'s and you need a minimum of 16"s to clear the Cooper S calipers.
I want some roof bars, but have no need for them.
Renault made a few variants of 16 inch steel wheel in 4x100 for the Captur, the Mk4 Clio and the Dacia Stepway. You can get the typical steelies with round holes in or you can get really smart looking 5 spoke steelies too. You'd probably need spigot rings though because the centre bore is pretty large on Renaults.I want some roof bars, but have no need for them.
_Yeti said:
Well with a small bit of inspiration from this thread and a large lack of financial sense. I now have an R56 Cooper S sitting outside. Not quite the bargain you have for slogging the motorway, but a mini nonetheless and a high-miler to match (130k). I have found out something interesting though, apparently, if you equip yourself with the 15-inch alloys, the Ginetta Junior race series runs road-spec tyres in the form of Michelin Pilot Sport 3s and can be found on a certain auction-site for around £100-ish for a set of 4...
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Happy shedding fella!
Edit: Just discovered the 15s only fit on the R53
Edited by _Yeti on Friday 17th December 13:08
I'm glad I have inspired your MINI purchase!
Ah that's a shame with the 15" wheels, makes tyre purchased very very cheap! I love the handling on these steels, the car originally had 16" cooper wheels on (currently on eBay) and I immediately but the OEM 15" steels back on, less faff and less worry.
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