My Mini's 2 year evolution and BBS refurb! (pic heavy sorry)

[SimonTW]

Heres the evolution of my Mini from standard to where its at now. There are alot of pics but it gets interesting around the bit about refurbing and chopping up wheels! :rofl

April 2009 - Oulton Park - (Mille Miglia HT3 - Eibach Springs - Eibach Roll Bars)
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/15334_343678690719_870525719_10011461_2727162_n.jp g

I had always had a strong Euro influence and ideas for the Mini as my previous few cars were VAG and working for Venom Motorsport (www.venommotorsport.com) seeing stanced VW's day in day out.
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/simon-vi.jpg
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/Picture482~0.jpg

In July I decided to order some Image BPS split rims as I couldn't find anything I liked off the shelf.

August 2009 - Mini In The Park - Santa Pod (JCW Brembo 4 Pots - KW V3's & Image Split Rims Added)
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/15334_343667255719_870525719_10011323_1190870_n.jp g

I then had a dabble with a 2007 Cooper for a while
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/20250_448254790719_870525719_10898762_725403_n.jpg

Within a few months someone had bought the exact same Image splits so I decided to go a little more custom and bought some BMW 328i RC041 wheels for about £50
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02892.jpg

But being 5x120 and not being able to use adapters I had to fill and redrill so bought a lathe and made some plugs
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02553.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02549.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC00052.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02586.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_WHEELS2.JPG

As I was going to so much work on the inners I decided I should make the barrels wider. For this I had to cut the lips of them. I didn't have a big enough lathe so this was done by hand.
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02530.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02532.JPG
I then ordered new lips from image and set about drilling them for the new wheels.
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02594.JPG
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02578.JPG

Then I drilled the new PCD using a hubcentric spacer
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02455.JPG

And then once everything had come together I ended up with 7.75" and 8.75" BBS RC041 with staggered lips in 4x100.
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/normal_DSC02614.JPG
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/39905_10150234941290720_870525719_14100361_931076_ n.jpg
I didn't get to run them for too long before winter came, plus a divorce and house sale so the car took a complete back burner.

Then a few weeks ago I picked up messing with it again and set about wrapping the car with a couple of mates.
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/168622_10150384286920720_870525719_16960373_836901 4_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/168396_10150385737315720_870525719_16986507_159192 2_n.jpg

And then put the wheels back on for summer, had the front end brought down a bit and some custom longer tuner bolts made so I could run spacers and ended up with the following, which is where its at now. Just in need of the front windows tinted and a bit more camber tweaking and wheel spacer adjusting ready for summer for track days and shows.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/184258_10150414338380720_870525719_17364803_210586 8_n.jpg
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190243_10150414327345720_870525719_17364624_433783 4_n.jpg

Here is the full spec:

Engine:
17% KMT Pulley
GRS Motorsport Intercooler
JCW Injectors
Newman Camshaft
Lohen Charger Protector
Alta Induction Cold Air Shield
Jetex Cotton Induction Kit
Powerflex Rear Engine Mount Insert
Superflex Engine Mount Insert
Milltek Performance Manifold & High Flow Cat
Jetex Stainless Steel Exhaust System (Twin 80mm Tailpipes)
Clutchmasters 6 Paddle Clutch
Clutchmasters Aluminium Flywheel

Suspension:
AP Coilovers
Eibach SPC Top Mounts (-1.5 camber)
Eibach SPC Rear Camber Arms (-2.5 camber)
Powerflex Front Wishbone Bushes
Eibach Front & Rear Anti Roll Bar Kit
Forge Strut Brace
Powerflex Rear Top Mount Bushes

Brakes:
Standard Mini Cooper S Calipers
Black Diamond Combi Brake Discs Front & Rear
EBC Yellow Stuff Front & Rear Pads
Goodridge Braided Brake Hoses (Stainless Ends – Blue Cover)
Wheels And Tyres:
Image BPS - 7.5 & 8 X18” 3 Piece Split Rims
BBS Custom RC041 - 8 & 9 X17” 3 Piece Split Rims

Exterior:
Full Wrap In RAL5012
All Chrome Trim Colour Coded RAL5012
Ocarari Scuttle Intakes
Red Tinted Rear Lights With Green Bulbs
Rear Wiper Deleted With Glass Blank Kit

Interior:
JCW Steering Wheel
Leather Trimmed Down Tubes With Matching Gear Gaiter, Handbrake Gaiter And Handbrake Grip.

If you are still reading at this point thanks for sticking with it :cool

[Mattphi]

Nice work! Looks great.

[HEcreated487]

Wow, outstanding progression! Really intrigued by the custom wheels...

[Zic]

love the work on the wheels.

[Alexander]

Excellent work on those wheels!

[LronSigh]

Fabulous! Love that bold blue!

[Praz]

Wow, best use of 328 wheels. Excellent work. Suscribed.

[EssentialMINI]

Really like this Simon :)

[Mexican]

Great work!

[Jorge]

Those wheels. Amazing.

What did you do then, just cut the lip off, sand it flat? then get lips and drilled them in the same position as the face. Did you mill down the face thickness at all or anything?

[jzhang1013]

amazing.

[robcouzens]

really nice

how easy was the wrap??

[SimonTW]

Been a while since I have been on here. Busy with work and holiday etc lol. Thanks for the comments.

The wrap wasn't that easy. It's tricky work and requires attention to detail and patience.Mine's not perfect by a long way but having looked at other wraps at shows etc I haven't found one that is yet! If you have the time and are pretty good at wrapping xmas presents then you should be able to have a go though! Plus if you do screw up a panel you can always have another go.

With the wheels it was just cut off and flatten everything up to the mounting holes. Place the new rims on and drill them through. The inside section has enough of a recess to mount the barrel and lip onto the front and have them align properly.

I have been tweeking the drop and spacing slightly. I also sprayed my gold wheels gloss black and went on a few track days in it.

Currently waiting on a Wiechers clubsport cage in blue to turn up. Got a set of tidy Corbeau buckets in there now. Going for a bit of a RS theme on the inside!

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247395_10150614299010720_870525719_18622880_773472 0_n.jpg
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/250105_10150614299345720_870525719_18622887_181694 9_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/249625_10150614299845720_870525719_18622892_214344 9_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249060_10150614304310720_870525719_18622927_917991 _n.jpg
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/249770_10150614304480720_870525719_18622930_769829 7_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/247105_10150614304620720_870525719_18622933_381287 3_n.jpg

[Coops90]

This is mint

[180roman]

nice work

car and wheels look sick

[TheRev]

So am I right in saying you made a 2pc wheel into a 3pc?

Nice work

[SimonTW]

Yeah pretty much!

[Dr.AK]

Fucking awesome.

[TheRev]

Yeah pretty much!

Is it still safe?

Just thinking of doing it myself now :eyebrows

[SimonTW]

Now there is the question. I have had them apart to polish between the bolts and everything seemed okay.

For me and my own safety, I'm happy enough to use them.

[Matt]

great looking ride.

I personally would not have wrapped the trim on the headlights though.

[STERLING]

This really looks so good.

[AndyRS]

You know i love it dude ;)

[SlyCooperR53]

looks great! what brand vinyl did you get?

[gunning]

looks awsome mate, i bought my mini coilovers off you lot when i slammed it on bbs rs's

I used to love the silver S looking at it on MT

[SimonTW]

Thanks for the comments!

The vinyl is 3M controltac.

[SimonTW]

Few little updates.

Few little updates been made over the last couple of weeks.

Cage turned up first of all..
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269174_10150660906920720_870525719_19092679_761181 2_n.jpg

Then had a serious dummy spitting session.

Wiechers have supplied the wrong cage for me. Been doing a bit of research this morning on the group buy that was done. These are the pictures of the cages they got. Nothing like mine...
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g161/familiedekorte/7c8fe81d.jpg

Then I also found this while searching cages and found one for sale
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj127/stefan740d/IMG_8424.jpg

Bit of digging on RealOEM
UPTO OCT 2003 (Vertical mounting bolt like my cage)
RealOEM.com * BMW R53 Cooper S Safety belt, front, up to 10/03 (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=72_0520&hg=72&fg=05)

OCT2003 ONWARDS (Like mine being Feb 2004 like I mentioned on my order)
RealOEM.com * BMW R53 Cooper S Safety belt, front, from 10/03 on (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=RE32&mospid=48020&btnr=72_0517&hg=72&fg=05)

After a bit of emailing Wiechers I got a reply as to its fitment



So I got cracking and painted it.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/262259_10150691178300720_870525719_19168807_530640 4_n.jpg
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261908_10150693458210720_870525719_19194612_240225 4_n.jpg

Its in...kind of.... The feet at the front just aren't right regardless of what Wiechers say!

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/264323_10150693458370720_870525719_19194615_389469 2_n.jpg

In fairness they have now offered me a replacement cage or parts to allow fitment as the cages supplied in the group buy would be. Just alot of hassle and stress on something that should be fairly simple!

Still its in now and looking great
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/259940_10150693791865720_870525719_19198548_488165 8_n.jpg

[SimonTW]

Then the magazine that featured the Mini came out which was nice!

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/260391_10150225051487683_10712122682_7430634_48160 74_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/261525_10150684416935720_870525719_19163896_648240 1_n.jpg

Just a quick few pics from a show I went to at weekend

http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/267554_204307306282703_100001103046447_547390_5730 230_n.jpg
http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/269504_10150701507355327_668050326_19499393_493674 1_n.jpg

[Jorge]

The Track Culture M3 totally distracted me from your Mini in that magazine, I thought I recognised it on the cover.

Congratulations on the feature.

[a3 german]

awesome job! congrats ;)

[Puma]

Nice work!

[hi its me alec]

Super nice wheels, definitely one of my favorite minis of any generation

[180roman]

hmm i'm a bit sus on that cage

it doesn't look like it will do much besides act like a harness bar, its only bolted by 1 bolt at each corner...

nice work on getting a magazine feature

[SimonTW]

It's referred to as a Clubsport cage so it essentially bolts into the standard seatbolt points. I wanted it more to mount the harnesses onto and I didn't want to have to modify the chassis at all. The chances of me actually rolling the car anyway are very slim.

Thanks for the comments though! My next little jobs are to look into uprated brakes that fit nicely behind the BBS and colour code the seat backs in blue. :alright

[SimonTW]

Couple of little updates.

First off was to get the front windows tinted to match the factory rear tints. I didn't want anything too crazy. Just enough to finish to upper section of the car in black so it all blended a little better.

Before
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/206218_10150496146905720_870525719_17773621_130035 2_n.jpg
After
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223753_10150728457390720_870525719_19650607_787850 1_n.jpg

Also found a new number plate for it. Bit cheesey but I like it!
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/205927_10150326002491197_524136196_9306626_3768903 _n.jpg

And as I don't have any track days planned and my rear tyres were scrubbing a little I added a bit more camber on the back. The fronts had more than the rear to make it better on track. I have also just ordered some new outer dishes for the wheels. Decided to go for a stainless steel dish and take them out half an inch just to fill the arches a bit better.

http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/MYMINI2.jpg
http://www.obsessivecompulsivedevelopments.com/albums/userpics/MYMINI1.jpg

[SimonTW]

Not a lot to update on the Mini really. Got a few plans for winter. I swapped my BBS over to my cheap TSW's but just out of interest I thought I'd try one of my rear wheels on the front. I thought they would be a bit to wide, but to me it looks to fill the arches perfectly. I was going to strip them down and give them a refurb over winter. I think I'm just going to order 2.5" dishes for the rear to make them poke a bit as they are just flush at the moment.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6158/6168922622_3e3c7aa076_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6168387305_1e6d34ff96_o.jpg

[sawatsky]

Great looking ride :)
Didn't clue in straight away that you converted 2pc wheels to 3pc! Oh my goodness dude... amazing work.
Wish I had the stones to try that with my RSII 023/024's....

[sacrifice]

Wrap looks great. I wouldn't have the patience.