GBMINI goes to Costco

Posted on by Ian C.

Our trip to Costco today found us buying lots of exciting things – among them a free standing air conditioner, electric pressure washer, toilet rolls, cat litter and a couple of tins of coffee.
When we got back to the car, everything suddenly got much bigger but I am very pleased to report that everything came home in GBMINI, with both driver & passenger still comfortable and not having to slide either front seat forward.


And to the gentleman that came over to chat about MINIs, saying next year he might replace his Cadillac with a MINI and have a “second childhood”, I say – hurry up and join in the fun!

Improving the look of your vents

Posted on by Ian C.

If you have an ’03 or earlier MINI, you probably have the same vent grilles as GBMINI, with a foam/gauze piece which collects and clings to dirt, insects and everything else that hits it.
Ever since I saw that the ’04 MINIs had an improved vent grille, I have planned to replace mine – but for a long time buying the vent grille meant buying the old part and not the new part.
But finally I have the new vent grilles installed on GBMINI – and they are massively better looking (old on left, new on right):


This is a low cost mod and gives a good looking result; the parts cost me less than $25 at MINI Peabody (including MA tax). The part numbers you need are: 51-13-7-122-505 and 51-13-7-122-506. Make sure you are getting the new design!