Some mods to my Mini
05-01-2008, 02:33 AM
#1
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My Ride: 2005 530d M Sport Touring : Carbon Black : Half Leather : Pro DVD Sav Nav : TV : Active Cruise : Front/Rear Parking : Bluetooth Phone : 6 CD : Dark Poplar Wood : Folding Mirrors : 5 year Servicing Pack
Having bought our Mini about a month back, there were a few things we were never really happy with.
For me the biggest by far was the state of the paint:
It looked OK in the crappy light we've had recently, but when the sun hit it, you could see how badly swirled it really was.
As shown:
1/2 an hour later and a polish was getting that bit of the bonnet to look like this:
Still not perfect, but a whole lot better.
Later - after a good waxing:
At the same time, my new chrome indicator housing came so I fitted those too.
From this:
to this:
All nicely polished and waxed:
For me the biggest by far was the state of the paint:
It looked OK in the crappy light we've had recently, but when the sun hit it, you could see how badly swirled it really was.
As shown:
1/2 an hour later and a polish was getting that bit of the bonnet to look like this:
Still not perfect, but a whole lot better.
Later - after a good waxing:
At the same time, my new chrome indicator housing came so I fitted those too.
From this:
to this:
All nicely polished and waxed:
05-01-2008, 02:33 AM
#2
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My Ride: 2005 530d M Sport Touring : Carbon Black : Half Leather : Pro DVD Sav Nav : TV : Active Cruise : Front/Rear Parking : Bluetooth Phone : 6 CD : Dark Poplar Wood : Folding Mirrors : 5 year Servicing Pack
However. We always had the plan to put a Union Flag on the roof.
So obviously the best car to buy would be one with a white tin roof. Not a black roof with a panoramic sunroof or two.
Anyway, Phil at Mini Pirate worked his magic a couple of days ago and first of all wrapped the roof, so it went from black to white:
And then he went about the business of cutting the vision vinyl for the sunroof(s).
At this point, I sent a picture to my missus, who said she liked it like that and we could stop there if we wanted to. We didn't want to though.
Then it needed a second Union Flag in a different material for the outside and that had to be matched up with the the one on the sunroof.
I knew there was going to ba slight colour mismatch due to the different materials used on the roof wrap and the vision vinyl (which has lots of little holes in it to let the light through) but having seen another car, I felt it was the best solution.
Here it is done (but under artificial light:
And outside in the brief respite we had from the rain:
Very pleased with the results.
So obviously the best car to buy would be one with a white tin roof. Not a black roof with a panoramic sunroof or two.
Anyway, Phil at Mini Pirate worked his magic a couple of days ago and first of all wrapped the roof, so it went from black to white:
And then he went about the business of cutting the vision vinyl for the sunroof(s).
At this point, I sent a picture to my missus, who said she liked it like that and we could stop there if we wanted to. We didn't want to though.
Then it needed a second Union Flag in a different material for the outside and that had to be matched up with the the one on the sunroof.
I knew there was going to ba slight colour mismatch due to the different materials used on the roof wrap and the vision vinyl (which has lots of little holes in it to let the light through) but having seen another car, I felt it was the best solution.
Here it is done (but under artificial light:
And outside in the brief respite we had from the rain:
Very pleased with the results.
05-01-2008, 05:10 AM
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My Ride: 2005 530d M Sport Touring : Carbon Black : Half Leather : Pro DVD Sav Nav : TV : Active Cruise : Front/Rear Parking : Bluetooth Phone : 6 CD : Dark Poplar Wood : Folding Mirrors : 5 year Servicing Pack
Originally Posted by AlexFW' post='572213' date='May 1 2008, 12:27 PM
You ruined the sunroof 
: I have it too and it gives light also if closed .
: I have it too and it gives light also if closed .
05-01-2008, 05:23 AM
#5
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Originally Posted by Kell' post='572221' date='May 1 2008, 02:10 PM
It still does. The vinyl over the glass is called vision vinyl and is full of holes so it still lets in the light. Not as much, obviously, but it was a sacrifice we were prepared to make.
Good job then!
05-01-2008, 08:17 AM
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My Ride: 2008 550i Jet Black on Black Leather, SAT with Paddles, Logic 7, Comfort Seats, NAV, Sport Package, PDC, Xenons, Sirius, Trinity 12W LED Angel Eyes, RPi GT Exhaust, M rear spoiler, ACS Roof Spoiler, Tinted Tail Lights, Bimmian Carbon Fiber Pillar Trim, Bimmian Shadow 550i emblem, RPi Scoop, E60 Forum Cling, Mtec bulbs in fog lights, Mtec 2W LED for License Plate Light Bulbs, K&N Filter, Bimmian LED Smoked Side Markers, Blackout roundels, Carbon Fiber Kidney Grills.
Retired Rides - 1989 325i convertible, 1995 M3, 2002 X5, 2005 545i, 2008 X5 (Lemon)
Nice solution to the "Union Jack" situation! 
05-02-2008, 05:43 AM
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My Ride: 2008 535xi
Monaco Blue
Dark Burl Walnut
Black Leather
Comfort Package
Sports Package
Cold Weather Package
Nav
Logic 7
18" Sport Wheels
Xenon Interior and License Plate Light Upgrade
Originally Posted by flyingpuck' post='572294' date='May 1 2008, 12:17 PM
Nice solution to the "Union Jack" situation!
I like it
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