A midweek collection, A new MINI adventure. A Cooper Yes.

[DVee8]

Where to start?

For the first time in 10 years, I'm on nightshift. This happened while I was tucked up in bed.

No1 and No2 son work together 1 mile away from home. The cars they drive don't get warm. They mentioned they wanted a cheap runner to share that can be dumped in the car park, and not worry about. A Citroen C2 VTR was looked at. Then a £400 MINI in Whitley Bay was chased but unanswered; the £400 mini, with what it may need, would soon turn into a £800 mini.  I mentioned this to a good friend, who said they could have a car that he owns for £££££.

N02 son thought he had a problem with his car, so a couple of Sundays ago we took it out for a long blast (no problems), just short trips. I mentioned the conversation I had, had regarding the other car. He was interested. No. 1 son was told of the conversation, and he wanted to look at the car.  A conversation was had with the owner, and a deal was done. We have split the cost 3 ways.

The collection was to be this weekend, ready for a new month, but both lads are off this week and wanted the car. A message and payment were sent last night. With collection this morning.

PC count from me is 0. I'm not asking the others.

The breakfast photo is 0 as I was in bed.

No pez shot as it has 1/2 a tank.

As the car isn't taxed or insured, my lads were going to tow the car back the epic distance OF           0.53 miles, from @gm's house to mine.

When the lads arrived this morning @gm said he'd insure it for a hour and drive it up the whole 0.53 miles. home.

So what have we bought?

 

 

Yep, another MINI, our 3rd. This time a Cooper S.

A big thank you to @gm

The alloys have been resealed as they were losing air; new rear pads have been bought, that's tomorrow's job.

Plans.

Coil-overs have been bought for N01 son's mate, unfitted. A new sound system that I won from @Keymaster last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[gm]

they will be fighting over who gets the keys and will get home from work in world record time now  

it’s a cracking little car, i look forward to seeing it on two wheels down at a teeside trackday very soon !

[DVee8]

The lads have started with an oil and filter change this morning.

Tomorrow will be rear pads.

 

 

[gm]

7 minutes ago, DVee8 said:

Tomorrow will be rear pads. a big noisy cone filter !

 

[DVee8]

13 minutes ago, gm said:

 

Oh yes, there is one of those in the garage to go on.

[DVee8]

New rear brake pads fitted this morning, someone had their money's worth.

 

[gm]

nice bit of under sealing going on there too 

[gm]

2 hours ago, DVee8 said:

someone had their money's worth.

i’m surprised the pad wear warning light had only just come on - there really isn’t much left 

[DVee8]

We'll be the 9th owner. With @gm and @aotb being others on here. is  there anyone  else?

I would like to find out some history of this car.

[DVee8]

With it being the 1st of the month, this was taxed at 5am this morning.

It's been out for a Hooon this afternoon.

[gm]

i’d expected to hear the whine of a supercharger on the stroke of midnight !

 

[DVee8]

On 26/02/2026 at 16:02, gm said:

 

big noisy cone filter  has now been fitted, along with a stubby ariel and black door handle covers.

N02 son took MrsV8 and small dog out for a hooooon this afternoon, he forgot about small dog, sending her flying out of her car bed across the rear seat. 

MrsV8 was unimpressed at this.

[gm]

but the small dog had loads of fun !

[stuboy]

54 minutes ago, DVee8 said:

big noisy cone filter  has now been fitted, along with a stubby ariel and black door handle covers.

N02 son took MrsV8 and small dog out for a hooooon this afternoon, he forgot about small dog, sending her flying out of her car bed across the rear seat. 

MrsV8 was unimpressed at this.

is it an R53

[DVee8]

Just now, stuboy said:

is it an R53

It is. 

[New POD]

On 27/02/2026 at 17:22, DVee8 said:

New rear brake pads fitted this morning, someone had their money's worth.

 

What paint did you use? 

[DVee8]

5 minutes ago, New POD said:

What paint did you use? 

Black not grey

[aotb]

On 28/02/2026 at 17:37, DVee8 said:

We'll be the 9th owner. With @gm and @aotb being others on here. is  there anyone  else?

I would like to find out some history of this car.

I was the first AS owner of it, bought it on a whim as it was local. The previous owner had emigrated so it had been sat for a couple of years, the POs parents stuck it in for a test which it failed before selling it. No real history beyond that, barring a few receipts. I did the bits for its most recent test and replaced the front tyres as they were falling apart. I did change the oil & plugs (NGK platinum), front discs and pads (would want better pads for a track day though!) Honestly can’t remember if I did the gearbox oil, but did grease up the selector as it had dried up. 

Things that I didn’t do was to service the Supercharger- with it’s mileage it’s definitely worth doing as a preventative measure. 

It’s a great little car, but just didn’t gel enough with it, hence moving it on when I got distracted by a V8 Jag. 

 

[DVee8]

The front suspension got a clean, wire brush and a coat of black.

Next weekend the coilover's are going on.

[DVee8]

The weather stopped play last weekend, so yesterday the front coilovers went on—the nearside nee bother.

The offside was a ball-ache, with a snapped bolt that had to be drilled out. No photos as I was in the pub watching THE match.

Mrs V8 says they have spoiled the car as the ride is hard, with a knocking. My lads are aware of the problem as the drilled out bolt needs a larger bolt fitting, and the rears need to go on.

[gm]

but it will be 10 seconds quicker round “the ring”  

[DVee8]

There has been a pause in the activities.

Yesterday the rear coil overs went on.