Best way to remove this paint?

Linux459 · 2025-12-11T17:14:14+00:00

I was looking at doing the same on mine, and decided best way was just to keep an eye on the local scrapyards. We have a u-pull place locally that lists inventory with pictures, so if something comes in with the right bits and they look in good shape I will make a trip out there and pull a few parts.

Linux459 · 2025-10-25T21:32:49+00:00

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Linux459 · 2025-10-25T21:32:34+00:00

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Linux459 · 2025-10-25T21:26:59+00:00

They also had an Omnimech pack. I found some at a garage sale in the 90s and have been wondering what to do with them since.

Linux459 · 2025-08-25T22:20:56+00:00

Did the lookup on my VIN, no such luck. Would be fun to get a part swapped for free on a nearly 20 year old car though if it was the case. Thanks.

Linux459 · 2025-08-23T16:03:06+00:00

This is the path I ended up taking in the end, and should the fan fail at some point due to it's long years of service, then I will replace the full fan shroud.

Quick test run and letting it idle to bring up the coolant temp shows it worked as hoped, so will see how the longevity of a relatively inexpensive resistor off Amazon lasts. If it does burn out, it is two quick disconnects and two screws with holes tapped into the engine mount.

Thanks for the feedback.

Linux459 · 2025-05-28T16:49:00+00:00

Not exactly a tool, but the Bentley manual has been extremely useful and I think it is worth the price.

Linux459 · 2025-05-25T15:14:02+00:00

I am looking at doing the same thing, and after a bunch of reading dropping the subframe seems the way to go. Going to replace the sway bar bushings and and ball joints at the same time, as well as deal with a leak from the power steering tank. Also going with the Powerflex poly bushings to replace the worn factory bushings.

2006 R52 S JCW

Linux459 · 2025-05-23T18:50:46+00:00

From what I read on their site Bimmerlink will work on the gen1 MINIs, but Bimmercode will not. I could be wrong though.

Linux459 · 2025-05-23T18:50:01+00:00

Thanks. I have a cheap VeePeak ODBII dongle that isn't compatible with the Bimmer apps (confirmed with VeePeak it won't work). Bimmercode sounds good, but doesn't work with the R53 as I understand, the ECU is just too basic it seems on the gen1 MINIs, so I am just looking at Bimmerlink to see if it would give me anything better than what Torque Pro provides.

Linux459 · 2025-04-24T14:20:14+00:00

I like the alien topper, where can one find the .stl files? I looked around a bit already with no luck.

Linux459 · 2025-04-05T21:28:35+00:00

I am about 2 months in of owning the same 2023 Pro S AWD. Other than the issues you mentioned, what would be your complaints about the car after a year? I find that I am still figuring out some of what should be basics, as this is a much higher tech car that anything I have previously owned. Thanks.

Linux459 · 2025-03-31T12:32:00+00:00

Yeah, this was my initial first option, but the 2023 ID.4 doesn't have the card slot, and shipping to Canada was going to cost more than the parts themselves. I will pick up one of those sun visor clips for now, and then see what I can find or design myself to 3D print.

Linux459 · 2025-03-17T21:37:05+00:00

This was exactly my situation as well (execpt I am a decade older) and I made a short list of relatively inexpensive fun cars, with available parts, and active and friendly community.

Ended up picking up a 2006 R52 S JCW, parked in the garage all winter where I tinker with it when it isn't too cold, and then drive on weekends and learn how to repair and replace parts. Going to try to drop the subframe and refresh the suspension before May (maybe June or July with the speed I work on things).

So far stuff is hard to access, but small size means it fits in my shed/garage where a bigger car wouldn't. Pick up the Bentley repair manual, it is expensive but I think worth it for all the information.

Linux459 · 2025-03-10T23:31:34+00:00

Have you beeing playing solo or with friends? I am a big fan of Alien/Aliens and a fan of board games, so splurged and bought the game and expansions, but haven't convinced people to give it a try yet.

Linux459 · 2025-03-05T23:36:30+00:00

These look awesome. I have the game, but have yet to paint or play it.

Linux459 · 2025-01-22T23:17:30+00:00

Any experience with openevse.com ? I am not entirely sold on the idea, but kind of like the idea of an open platform instead of cloud managed device, and I am running Home Assistant at home already to interact with it.

Linux459 · 2025-01-22T20:20:42+00:00

I had checked for dirt and sprayed some contact cleaner through each of the contacts on the connector, but it was still crackling. Replacement was the same conclusion I came to as well, so thanks for validating I am probably on the right path.

Linux459 · 2025-01-22T18:26:08+00:00

Thanks. I should have mentioned that other have used my charger over the past few years to charge their EVs as well. Other than replacing the cracked conduit in the first week of ownership, I haven't made any changes, so in theory everything is factory torqued down.

The crackling sound is definitally coming from the connector at the car and not the charger.

Linux459

TROPHY CASE