90 replies to this topic

[Bean]

Hi all!

After Reggie's tantrums and rusty bits, we've decided to take him off the road and over-haul him properly - See Here.


So, I've not driven in over 11 weeks now and I really am having withdrawl symptoms!

Having realised that I need another car, I toyed with the idea of buying a modern euro-box! After coming to my senses and giving myself a good talking to, I decided to approach my lovely Daddy ...

He has owned a lovely little blue MK3 for 3 1/2 years. Unfortunately, she has been sat for 2 years, with no MOT or Tax


I asked if I could use her as my daily car, if we got her MOT'd and back on the road again!!

And he said yes!!


So - We moved Nora yesterday, from her little home that she's lived in for 2 years. Well, I say home ... she's been parked on the gravel outside the front door! (I know, I know)

So, this is what she looked like before we started:





Her paintwork was as flat as a pancake



K has done a full service on Nora - And I've given her Reggie's 306 Diesel battery.

A fresh few litres of fuel and ...


She fired up straight away!

I took her for a drive up our farm lane and she's absolutely brilliant - Smooth changes, great timing, she's just amazing!

But her brakes are interesting!! DRUMS!!



And, as for the paintwork ...

Well - That wasn't flat for long!!










Though ... I think there's a bit of jealousy going on




Silly Minis



A good day's work, in all

[mini-man-dan]

That car looks brand new! Looks amazing! Coming to Bristol Mini Day then!?

[Bean]

Not sure - Possibly! If we manage to get through MOT & get her up to speed!!

Got a little surprise for her today ...

[Bean]

[carboy001]

Wooo getting treated already! Didnt trust the drums all round then?

[Bean]

Yeeehhhh - She deserves it!

And no - - I think with the hills around this way, drums would be a recipe for disaster

I bought them for my Van, but that's a long way off, so would rather see them being used


Plus - It's a bit of bling for the old gal

[bcjames]

Nora looks great! What did you do to the paint? I love where you work on your minis too, looks just the right environment for a mini to be happy

[Bean]

Meguiars (Sp?) Paint cleaner, Scratch X - And I'm yet to wax

Yeah - It's a really nice place! Shame it's all outside though - It's very rare that we get to go indoors with them

[Bean]

So, it was off with the old -




Sorting out the new -



(Which was, again, destined for the van!)


Et Voila!






Yessss!

I can't take any credit for this, it was all Mr K's doing!

[Shifty]

Looks a very tidy little thing, I like her a lot.

Nowt wrong with drum brakes, Poos still running drums, they just need some "anticipation"!!!

[Bean]

Thanks!

She is, for the most part, quite tidy! There are areas that do need some attention, which I will get sorted out in due course! I think she's an amazing little thing though, I'm probably boring the hell out of K, but she's been stood for 2 years & when we started her up yesterday, it was like she was still in every day use - She's incredible! Mind you - I've always had a soft spot for the little thing, since Dad bought her, back in 2006!

And - Yeah, they're not too bad, really - My old brown Mini had them! But - I'm used to disk brakes now & I would rather the thought of having them up front, than drums - I just think it's a more practical option for my daily drive - (especially with some of the idiotic drivers around the Worcestershire area!!) Yesterday though, you put your foot to the floor and absolutely nothing happened, hehe!)


EDIT:

Oh, and I was polishing the rear valance yesterday and took a look at her rear subframe & general floor areas ... And I'm happy to say both seemed pretty damn good! Infact, the subframe looked brand new!

[Boycie]

Hey.. another Mk3 back on the road!!! Brilliant, it looks very smart considering it's been sitting a while.

I'm still relying on drums... they're 'ok' but fade very quickly- had to stop from 50ish for a roundabout, with 3 people in the car last week, and they had faded to next to nothing by the time I'd stopped!!
'S' discs =
Good luck with Nora!

[mk3 Cooper S]

It does look tidy, decent MK3 metal.

Drums are OK if well maintained. Are you changing the Master cylinder and rear compensator valve too? Are you fitting a servo?

Un servoed S brakes do not fill you with confidence either

Edited by mk3 Cooper S, 17 May 2010 - 03:44 PM.

[mini_toaster]

Nice work there bean

You remind me, I need to look at my brakes too, as my mini has been sitting a while

Thanks!

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Very nice Jean!