Tag Archives: Car

My Rim Job (huh huh huh)

Posted by on October 3, 2012 No comments

I will never have another chance to title a post with that, so I am going to take a moment and soak that in.

Ok, my 12 year old moment is past.

Since I have done quite a few posts lately about Photography, I thought I would give my MINI a little time in the spotlight. There is a modification I have been wanting to do for a while now and only recently got the time to do it.

Rims are expensive. For my car they range from around $150-$200, [amazon_link id=”B002HLTBQ4″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]per wheel[/amazon_link]. Sadly, I don’t have that to spare right now, since the current rims are working just fine. Yeah I know it’s good to have a second set of wheels for summer/winter, but then you are talking the cost of the rims + the tires. That, and I don’t have a good location to store the tires in the off season. All of that leads me to my current solution.

[amazon_link id=”B000LNOOEO” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Plasti-Dip[/amazon_link]

Lots of folks use Plasti-Dip on various parts of their car because of it’s durability and easy of use/clean up. I had seen some other MINI’s with Plasti-Diped rims and loved the look. So I set aside a few hours, jacked up the car, and went to town on “Diping” my rims. A few of the members of the MINI forums I belong to said that I would need around two cans per wheel. I found that this was WAY over the amount I used. Grand total was two full cans for all four wheels. I was being VERY generous in applying as well. The coating was nice and thick and I was able to do about 3 coats per wheel.

Next project will be less crappy rotors and breaks!

Cleaned up the wheels before painting

Masked off the areas I didn’t want dipped

First Coat!

Setting on the car!

The final product

I had two wheels off the MINI at a time and just cycled through the coats. Total time was about 3 hours, and then I let it set (on the car) overnight. Overall I am very happy with the results. The total cost was about $12 for the two cans and the masking tape. I bought lots of extra cans, but I guess I will be using them for other projects. If you are looking for a quick way to add a little flare to your ride, this is a good way to go about it!

Important side note. If you are going to mask off an area that you don’t want “Dipped”, make sure you remove the tape BEFORE the dip is fully dry. this will reduce the amount of tearing as you remove the mask.

Gadget Time!!

Posted by on February 16, 2012 No comments

It’s been a while since I have posted about some interesting gadgets, and I happen to have come across a few that are post worthy!  So here goes.

Having driven the MINI around for the last few months, and being a part of the DC Metro MINI club, I REALLY enjoy my car.  Many of the club owners like to make videos of their drives using the GoPro brand cameras.  Being a camera type guy, I thought I would check one out and have some fun.  So here is my pro/con list

 

 

Pro:

  • Light weight – Very small for just the camera and easy to pocket.
  • TONS of attachments (I got the Motor-sport version)
  • Easy to use – Menus are quick and easy
  • Cool Wide Angle – Gets everything in the shot
  • Good Quality (Not great, but good) – Auto adjustment of speed and ISO does oddly in low light

Con:

  • Over Simplified – It would be great if there were a few more options and configurations.
  • Low light sucks – In low light it ramps up the ISO a lot so there is some significant grain. But it’s not really meant for low light so….
  • Ball Joint mount would rock. – All of the mounts are pivot one way, you can add pivot points in, but it increases vibration.

Overall, I like it.  It is currently mounted behind my rear view mirror and is nearly invisible to my FOV while driving.

This ties into another gadget I picked up.  The OBDII adapter for Blue-Tooth.  This is a chip that plugs into the data-port on my MINI (and any car after 1996) and provides all sorts of information on real time data from the engine to fault codes.  I connect to it using my Android phone and an app Called Torque.

Now I just need to know what all that data actually means!  (I am still learning).

Now, how does this all come together?  Well, there is another android app called aLapRecorder HD.  This connects to the OBDII chip and then can record all of that data for a specific drive.  I can then output that data into a format that can be overlayed on to the GoPro video.

I will be using this for future drives out with the MINI to record the results.  Especially the upcoming MINI’s on The Dragon event.  If you have any questions about the above gadgets, please feel free to ask!

MINI Photoshoot

Posted by on February 6, 2012 No comments

This last Saturday we scheduled some time with the MINI club (DC Metro MINI’s) to get a bunch of us out for a photo shoot.  Turns out a lot of the MINI folks are really into photography as well!  One of the folks found a really nice parking garage and we line up about 15 MINI’s to start taking pictures.  After we spent about 3 hours shooting in the garage we headed out to Wolf Trap in Northern VA for some outside shots.  Unfortunately it started to rain so I ended up putting my D5100 away (no weather sealing).  Thankfully some of the others had the right equipment and we got some great shots.

You can see all of the shots at these flickr links, below is just a few of the shots:

MINI Photo Shoot

MINI Photo Shoot

IMG_6936.jpg

IMG_7002.jpg

Photos, Games, and Cars

Posted by on November 8, 2011 No comments

Here is a fun mix of photography, gaming, and cars all bundled into one post!  Now, as you all know I picked up my new MINI just over a week ago and couldn’t help but get out and take come cool shots of it.  I have some ideas of some other shots but those will come along soon.


On kind of a whim I picked up the Forza 4 game for Xbox 360.  (ok not so much whim but I learned that there is a MINI in the game). On top of it being a great racing game, I learned it has a cool photo mode that allows you to take great shots of the cars in the game.  Of course, I couldn’t resist.

Lastly, wanted to post that my work travel plans have changed and this means I will be able to join in on the MINI’s take the Beltway charity drive!!  The money all goes to the Wounded Warrior project and it’s 50+ MINI’s gathered to do a Lap on the beltway!  It’s this Sunday so if you are in the DC area and want to see a ton of MINI’s check it out!

My new Ride

Posted by on October 28, 2011 1 comment

We have been toying with the idea of buying a new car, but not a car of necessity, a fun car to take on quick trips.

Well after much research and hemming and hawing, here is the new toy:

It’s super nice and fully loaded.  We got a great price on it and I am very happy.

Here are the stats on the internals:

Exterior

  • Fully automatic electro-hydraulic black convertible softtop-inc: stepless sliding-roof function, remote open/close feature, easy-load function
  • Front apron w/enlarged cooling air inlet
  • Body-color air inlet integrated into engine compartment lid
  • Body-color sport bumpers
  • Chrome-plated side air inlets
  • Black exterior trim-inc: side sills, bumper edges, wheel housing
  • Integrated mudguards
  • Chrome bezels-inc: rear lights, headlights
  • Chrome-plated window trim
  • Body-color grille
  • Integrated low/high beam auto-leveling headlights w/follow-me-home function
  • Rear center fog light
  • Body-color pwr mirrors
  • Heat insulated green glass
  • Speed-sensitive intermittent windshield wipers
  • Tailgate w/low loading sill
  • Chrome-plated door handles
  • Anti-corrosion protection system-inc: partial galvanization, phosphate treatment & cathodic dip bath, cavity sealing underfloor protection
  • The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Interior

  • Leatherette front sport bucket seats-inc: manual seat adjustment, fore/aft adjustment, driver seat height adjustment, backrest rake, seatback easy-entry, manually adjustable headrests
  • 50/50 split-folding rear seat w/fixed headrests integrated into roll-over bar
  • Center console-inc: (2) front & (1) rear cupholders, central locking switch, switches for pwr windows
  • Driver-side storage compartment underneath steering column
  • Brushed stainless-steel door sills
  • Sports leather-wrapped steering wheel w/column height adjustment
  • Aluminum alloy driver footrest & pedals
  • Instrumentation-inc: tachometer, outside temp gauge, speedometer, LCD odometer/tripmeter, fuel/engine temp gauge, warning lights
  • Service interval indicator
  • Check control vehicle monitor with pictogram display
  • Bezels around instrumentation
  • Flat tire monitor
  • Pwr front windows-inc: open/close feature, automatic window lowering when door is opened
  • Remote keyless entry-inc: central locking open/close, tailgate unlock feature, open softtop
  • Central locking system-inc: open/close feature, softtop open, convenient open, tailgate/fuel filler cap release
  • Pre-wiring for alarm system
  • Engine immobilizer
  • Air conditioning-inc: pollen micro-filter, air recirculation button
  • Rear window defogger
  • AM/FM stereo w/CD player
  • Pre-wiring for CD changer
  • Digital clock
  • Lockable climate controlled glove box
  • Smokers pkg
  • Storage compartments in front door trim panels
  • Alloy patina interior surface
  • Mechanical anti-dazzle rearview mirror
  • Front sun visors w/illuminated vanity mirrors
  • Side sun visor
  • Lighting-inc: map/reading, front footwell, theater dimming, luggage compartmen
  • Leather-wrapped shift knob
  • 12V auxiliary pwr outlet in luggage compartment
  • The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Mechanical

  • 1.6L supercharged SOHC 16-valve 4-cyl engine
  • 6-speed manual Getrag transmission
  • Drive-by-wire electronic throttle control
  • Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
  • Front wheel drive
  • 55 amp/hr battery in luggage compartment w/safety terminal clamp
  • 105-amp alternator
  • MacPherson front sport suspension w/single-joint spring-strut front axle
  • Multi-link rear sport suspension w/multiple-control-arm rear axle
  • Front/rear anti-roll bars
  • P195/55VR16 all-season run-flat tires
  • 16” x 6.5” 7-fin spoke alloy wheels
  • Electro-hydraulic pwr steering
  • Ventilated front/solid rear disc brakes
  • Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) control
  • Rear park distance control
  • Corner brake control (CBC)
  • 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
  • 13.2 gallon fuel tank
  • Body-color fuel filler cap
  • Twin-pipe exhaust system-inc: intermediate silencer, (2) rear silencers, chrome covers
  • Steel car jack
  • The features and options listed are for the 2005 MINI Cooper Convertible 2dr Convertible S and may not apply to this specific vehicle.

Safety

  • 4-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS)
  • Corner brake control (CBC)
  • Driver/front passenger airbags w/sensor to prevent unnecessary deployment of passenger airbag
  • Driver/front passenger side-curtain airbags
  • Driver/front passenger side-impact airbags
  • Front/rear automatic seatbelts w/front pyrotechnic belt buckle tensioners
  • Traction control w/automatic stability control (ASC)
  • Side-impact door beams
  • ISOFIX child seat attachments w/(2) rear anchorages
  • Crash sensor (fuel cutoff, activate hazard lights, interior lights-on, doors unlock)
  • Front/rear crumple zones
  • Roll-over protection system
  • Twin horns

Featured Equipment

  • Power convertible roof
  • 6 Speakers
  • AM/FM radio
  • AM/FM Stereo w/CD Player
  • CD player
  • MP3 decoder
  • Radio data system
  • Air conditioning
  • Automatic Air Conditioning
  • Rear window defroster
  • Power steering
  • Power windows
  • Remote keyless entry
  • Four wheel independent suspension
  • Speed-sensing steering
  • Traction control
  • 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
  • ABS brakes
  • Dual front impact airbags
  • Dual front side impact airbags
  • Front anti-roll bar
  • Integrated roll-over protection
  • Low tire pressure warning
  • Occupant sensing airbag
  • Rear anti-roll bar
  • Reverse sensing system
  • Auto Headlights
  • Delay-off headlights
  • Driving Lamps
  • Front Fog Lamps
  • Cruise Control
  • Black Bonnet Stripes
  • Bumpers: body-color
  • Power door mirrors
  • Driver door bin
  • Driver vanity mirror
  • Front Cupholders
  • Front reading lights
  • Illuminated entry
  • Leather Shift Knob
  • Multifunction Steering Wheel Controls
  • On-Board Computer
  • Outside temperature display
  • Passenger vanity mirror
  • Sport steering wheel
  • Tachometer
  • Tilt steering wheel
  • Center Arm Rest
  • Front Bucket Seats
  • Leather Seat Upholstery
  • Split folding rear seat
  • Sport Seats
  • Passenger door bin
  • Alloy wheels
  • Glass rear window
  • Speed-Sensitive Wipers
  • Variably intermittent wipers