Whoops…Keeping MINI Cooper for now.
March 16th, 2011
Decided not to sell the MINI Cooper S. Fiat 500 was too small for my right knee and MINI Cooper Ss are too cheap to sell and too good to give away.
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February 11th, 2011
Selling MINI Cooper S
February 11th, 2011
I’m selling my 2007 MINI Cooper S.
I had some recent warranty work done to fix my malfunctioning steering wheel lock and sometime rough idle on cold mornings. Steering wheel locks are a known problem with MINI and BMW. In fact the locks have been removed from production in recent model year MINIs. The cold weather issue was addressed by changing out the high pressure fuel pump. Also a know problem. I notice an oil leak under the car everyday since I got my car back. It seems to becoming from the passenger side on the back of the engine above the oil pan level. Some report a common problem of the timing chain tensioner seeming in this area. The common timing chain tension problem was addressed last year about this time. While I’m getting the oil leak fixed I’m going to ask for my warped hood scoop to be fixed. While cleaning the car to sell I noticed part of my radio antenna is crumbling, so that gets fixed also. Lot’s of issues some major, some minor.
All of them coupled with the common carbon buildup on the backside of valves of these turbo engines make me worry. What will happen next? The 4 year warranty is ending this month. Sometimes you can see that even the best things can end bad. Better to enjoy the memories and suffer the possible regret than suffer the major pain of a major problem out of warranty.
These are great cars if you want to be involved in the turbo charged scene. I don’t think the engine is going to self-destruct. I do think you need to add a oil catch can and keep on top of the condition of the engine. Too much work for me, for this car. I have my Factory Five Cobra for that. I wanted this car to be simple, small, reliable and fun. I suppose no car I would want to drive everyday is simple anymore. I hope my next car is more reliable and just as fun.
New Countertops – One Week
October 15th, 2010
We had a ‘consultation’ with our countertop fabricators today, Signature Stone in Williamsburg VA.
York Condenser Noises
June 15th, 2010
Posted 2 videos on youtube of my new York Condenser unit and the sounds it makes in both stages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk5_rRt-dIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=506077-ux44