What did you do to your MINI today?
- Thread starter SameGuy
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With my all-aluminum gen-1 Honda Insights, I got into the habit of parking in faraway places; a habit which continues.
When parking lots are nearly full, I look for a spot where no one can park on my right side and park as far right in that spot as possible--all cars have drivers exiting on the left but not all cars have passengers. My hope is that the car that parks on my left will not be transporting a thoughtless youngster who flings their passenger door into my driver door. When there's a choice, I park to the right of a 4-door vehicle rather than a 2-door vehicle because 4-door doors don't have such a long reach.
My biggest fear is that some miscreant will decide to purposely damage my distant, lonely car simply because it's obvious I'm taking extra measures to avoid parking-lot damage. And there will be no one nearby to observe the intentional collision.
My favorite parking lot experience is when I came back to my car and noticed a lazy or in-a-hurry Ferrari driver had parked closer to the big-box store than I did (although it was also parked far from other vehicles).
SameGuy
Well-Known Member
Without starting another thread — though I will if this doesn’t get any hits — is anybody here comfortable with e-sys and ISTA+ able to share their experiences from the point of view of a complete beginner? And especially pertinent, if they’ve used it on the SE?
As I mentioned to another member privately, I had used MB Star and Xentry for years, but that is much more high-level, ie. Windows-like, point-and-click to do most things, even programming modules. Nothing in the MB system of the last 20 years uses the arcane low-level syntax of e-sys, at least from a service technician’s point of view. I also have a bit of experience with an older version of VAGcom/VCDS, though I’d need a refresher were I to start playing with it again, especially on more recent models. I don’t think current VAGs use VCDS.
I’d also like to know if there are traps to avoid and possible hurdles that are specific to MINIs and the SE in particular. Is the setup virtually the same as in the guides that apply mostly to the F-series Bimmers?
As someone pointed out earlier, it’s simpler to get a cheap refurbished Windows laptop than trusting it to work reliably in a VM on a MacBook with different architecture, so I’m shopping for one from Best Buy right now, but of course I keep falling into a feature creep trap. I really only should spend around $200, because I’ll be using this for the garage almost exclusively, even a laptop that’s six or seven years old with no bloatware on it should be perfectly fine.
As I mentioned to another member privately, I had used MB Star and Xentry for years, but that is much more high-level, ie. Windows-like, point-and-click to do most things, even programming modules. Nothing in the MB system of the last 20 years uses the arcane low-level syntax of e-sys, at least from a service technician’s point of view. I also have a bit of experience with an older version of VAGcom/VCDS, though I’d need a refresher were I to start playing with it again, especially on more recent models. I don’t think current VAGs use VCDS.
I’d also like to know if there are traps to avoid and possible hurdles that are specific to MINIs and the SE in particular. Is the setup virtually the same as in the guides that apply mostly to the F-series Bimmers?
As someone pointed out earlier, it’s simpler to get a cheap refurbished Windows laptop than trusting it to work reliably in a VM on a MacBook with different architecture, so I’m shopping for one from Best Buy right now, but of course I keep falling into a feature creep trap. I really only should spend around $200, because I’ll be using this for the garage almost exclusively, even a laptop that’s six or seven years old with no bloatware on it should be perfectly fine.
SameGuy
Well-Known Member
I just popped the bonnet on mine for the first time since getting it back from the body shop. It looks newer and cleaner than when I took delivery! They detailed the entire “engine compartment” and it looks great. The work order also shows that not only did they replace most of the trim and hardware on both sides of the bonnet — it was explained to me that rather than risk handing the car back with stress cracks in the removed plastic pieces, they install brand new — but they replaced the mounting bolts and expressly refinished around them as well, to maintain corrosion protection. They also reapplied the Cosmoline where the PDR tech had been working.
Must have been some very small neodymium magnets to go in the nameless dog's feet! Or is there just one magnet for the dog and two for John Wick? You chose a good car to test those magnets. Can John remain standing when you're attacking roundabouts in your SE?Added new driving buddies
Drilled and glued small neodymium magnets into the feet.
Yeah, I had to put a piece into the dogs belly to hang a magnet down. There's two magnets in each of John's feet - 5x5mm and 6x3mm - but I haven't tested him out yet. His head is a bit heavier than the Spiderman and Darth Vader bobblehead I've done this to before that stick fine.
pictsidhe
Well-Known Member
Hmmm, with the right magnets, that could be used to make good ornaments.Added new driving buddies
Drilled and glued small neodymium magnets into the feet.
pictsidhe
Well-Known Member
No bloatware? But if it has windows...
Can confirm John remains standing at max straight line acceleration (sport mode). Couldn't find a roundabout.
pictsidhe
Well-Known Member
I take it that you aren't in Milton Keynes?
Nope, almost the direct opposite side of the globe.
pictsidhe
Well-Known Member
Oh, my bad. I see a steering wheel on the correct side of a car, and I make assumptions...
SameGuy
Well-Known Member
Two things I saw for the first time tonight:
I didn’t realize the “cornering lights” also illuminate when you activate a turn signal. I thought they just lit up while turning. [facepalm]
The temperature dropped from 50°F at 5:30 pm to 25°F by the time I left work at 12:30 am, and what started as driving rain turned into sleet and snow. My car was parked at 38% but I forgot about the frozen stuff so only activated climatization while walking out, giving it about two minutes. I also realized I’d removed my scraper from the boot before leaving it at the body shop a couple of weeks ago. I sat in the car and turned it on, then cranked everything: max temps on both sides, max defrost in front, rear defrost on, heated wheel and bum warmer on. Within about five minutes enough of the ice had melted and dropped away from the windscreen and I set off. Accelerating hard onto the highway and heading for the fast lane, I for the first time saw my e-meter drop, and it did so precipitously, down to below 50 percent, and the car struggled. I kept wondering just how cold the battery could have gotten… then I realized all the energy hogs were still at full blast. [facepalm]
I didn’t realize the “cornering lights” also illuminate when you activate a turn signal. I thought they just lit up while turning. [facepalm]
The temperature dropped from 50°F at 5:30 pm to 25°F by the time I left work at 12:30 am, and what started as driving rain turned into sleet and snow. My car was parked at 38% but I forgot about the frozen stuff so only activated climatization while walking out, giving it about two minutes. I also realized I’d removed my scraper from the boot before leaving it at the body shop a couple of weeks ago. I sat in the car and turned it on, then cranked everything: max temps on both sides, max defrost in front, rear defrost on, heated wheel and bum warmer on. Within about five minutes enough of the ice had melted and dropped away from the windscreen and I set off. Accelerating hard onto the highway and heading for the fast lane, I for the first time saw my e-meter drop, and it did so precipitously, down to below 50 percent, and the car struggled. I kept wondering just how cold the battery could have gotten… then I realized all the energy hogs were still at full blast. [facepalm]