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#1
The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership
Last post by MPlayle - May 15, 2026, 07:26:15 PMMy turn to see what happens on a shipment from the UK.
Bruce recently asked my about the wear on the tires on my Mini. I have been using the inexpensive Falken 145s. Unfortunately, they have poor wear ratings and don't seem to last as long as they should; but I used them as I did not want to go with the much more expensive alternatives and the usual Nankngs were not as available. I went to order another set to have handy as the current ones are getting worn and discovered the Falkens are now not available, but the longer wearing Nankangs are back. Since I have two sets of wheels for my Mini - one set is 4.5x10 and the other is 6x10 - I ordered tires for both sets of wheels from Mini Sport as they were slightly (about $50) less than Mini Spares. The tires were $438.24 for all 8, but the cheapest shipping (UPS) was another $341 - Yikes!
I went ahead with the order, so now we'll see what happens as they get shipped and go through the current US Customs process.
Bruce recently asked my about the wear on the tires on my Mini. I have been using the inexpensive Falken 145s. Unfortunately, they have poor wear ratings and don't seem to last as long as they should; but I used them as I did not want to go with the much more expensive alternatives and the usual Nankngs were not as available. I went to order another set to have handy as the current ones are getting worn and discovered the Falkens are now not available, but the longer wearing Nankangs are back. Since I have two sets of wheels for my Mini - one set is 4.5x10 and the other is 6x10 - I ordered tires for both sets of wheels from Mini Sport as they were slightly (about $50) less than Mini Spares. The tires were $438.24 for all 8, but the cheapest shipping (UPS) was another $341 - Yikes!
I went ahead with the order, so now we'll see what happens as they get shipped and go through the current US Customs process.
#2
The Lounge / Re: The Cost of Ownership
Last post by BruceK - May 15, 2026, 06:24:02 PMHell has frozen over. Pigs are flying.
Two hundred and thirty five (235!) days, almost 8 full months, after I filed my customs dispute with UPS, I have heard back from them. They have shared with me a PDF of the US customs document they filed on my shipment in September 2025. This is where they charged me roughly $93 (plus $14 brokerage fee) on a $41 used dashboard clock (non-Mini) from a supplier in Belgium.
It turns out UPS totally pulled the customs classification of the item out of their big fat corporate ass. And that's saying it nicely. They claimed on the form they created that the thing I imported was made out of aluminum. Specifically Russian aluminum. Like heavily sanctioned Russian aluminum. And they based the over 200% tariff charges on that. Of course, nowhere on the invoice from the Belgian company did it reference anything to do with aluminum. Or Russia. Nothing even close. It was clearly marked as clock. So now I know they are "looking into it".
Can't wait for their next communication.
Two hundred and thirty five (235!) days, almost 8 full months, after I filed my customs dispute with UPS, I have heard back from them. They have shared with me a PDF of the US customs document they filed on my shipment in September 2025. This is where they charged me roughly $93 (plus $14 brokerage fee) on a $41 used dashboard clock (non-Mini) from a supplier in Belgium.
It turns out UPS totally pulled the customs classification of the item out of their big fat corporate ass. And that's saying it nicely. They claimed on the form they created that the thing I imported was made out of aluminum. Specifically Russian aluminum. Like heavily sanctioned Russian aluminum. And they based the over 200% tariff charges on that. Of course, nowhere on the invoice from the Belgian company did it reference anything to do with aluminum. Or Russia. Nothing even close. It was clearly marked as clock. So now I know they are "looking into it".
Can't wait for their next communication.
#3
The Lounge / Re: Mini is ALIVE!
Last post by BruceK - May 15, 2026, 05:25:16 PMGreat to hear its back!
#4
The Lounge / Mini is ALIVE!
Last post by Dan Moffet - May 15, 2026, 08:40:10 AMYesterday, I finally found time to wake Desiree from her long winter slumber. Tires were low but holding. Oil is full and clean, Rad is full to proper level. Absolutely no drips on the floor! Battery charged. Spark plug wires connected (wondering why I'd left them disconnected).
She started! Because I'd squirted oil into the cylinders and swished it around, cranking with the plugs removed, there was the usual cloud of oil smoke. It took a while for the engine to warm up and purge the oil and whatever was left in the carb bowl.
Once warmed, there is some roughness and idle eventually drops away to nothing. I attribute that to 2 year old gas. High octane with stabilizer, but that doesn't last forever.
So, today, I pumped the 3/4 full fuel tank out (about 5 imperial gallons) and put that in the Jeep which was 3/4 full and uses regular gas. The next step is to go get some fresh gas and try that. I'm hoping she will only need a hearty romp to clear her lungs.
She started! Because I'd squirted oil into the cylinders and swished it around, cranking with the plugs removed, there was the usual cloud of oil smoke. It took a while for the engine to warm up and purge the oil and whatever was left in the carb bowl.
Once warmed, there is some roughness and idle eventually drops away to nothing. I attribute that to 2 year old gas. High octane with stabilizer, but that doesn't last forever.
So, today, I pumped the 3/4 full fuel tank out (about 5 imperial gallons) and put that in the Jeep which was 3/4 full and uses regular gas. The next step is to go get some fresh gas and try that. I'm hoping she will only need a hearty romp to clear her lungs.
#5
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by MiniDave - May 13, 2026, 12:29:15 PMWell, I did check for a vacuum leak and intake gasket not sealing well on that end of the motor, and all was good....valves are set OK
Seems like it's always been this way, but it seems like it used to be rich on the center two.....who knows? It runs well, I can say that!
I was concerned that I might have had a head gasket internal leak till I found the radiator leak was where the water was going.
Seems like it's always been this way, but it seems like it used to be rich on the center two.....who knows? It runs well, I can say that!
I was concerned that I might have had a head gasket internal leak till I found the radiator leak was where the water was going.
#6
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by Dan Moffet - May 13, 2026, 12:10:11 PMQuote from: MiniDave on May 13, 2026, 11:17:00 AMPlugs on the right are the radiator end or 1&2....cylinder #4 especially is supposed to run hotter, but it doesn't look it does it? maybe I'll swap ends and see if they change?
Yes, it seems backward to "logic". I wonder if it might be due to restricted exhaust, maybe valves want adjusting or something preventing that end of the engine to breathe equally. Or maybe a manifold gasket leak upsetting equilibrium and mixture setting is compensating.
#7
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by MiniDave - May 13, 2026, 11:22:50 AMOh, and I pulled the drum off on the right rear, the shoes are completely soaked! I have new shoes and wheel cylinders, can't find my little tool to put the clip on tho.....
#8
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by MiniDave - May 13, 2026, 11:17:00 AMChanged plugs on the Green car today, not because they were worn or missing or anything really.....just because. Interesting to see that the plugs on one end look a lot cleaner than those on the other end which almost look fouled. Interesting because this is a single carb motor on a joint intake manifold.....so why one end is rich and the other lean or almost perfect is odd. I also put on copper core plug wires, just because, the others were still fine.
Plugs on the right are the radiator end or 1&2....cylinder #4 especially is supposed to run hotter, but it doesn't look it does it? maybe I'll swap ends and see if they change?
Plugs on the right are the radiator end or 1&2....cylinder #4 especially is supposed to run hotter, but it doesn't look it does it? maybe I'll swap ends and see if they change?
#9
Daves Garage / Re: Racing Green 89 Mini
Last post by cstudep - May 12, 2026, 07:23:33 PMThe joys of owning a "classic car", always seems to be something.
#10
Daves Garage / Re: Red
Last post by MiniDave - May 12, 2026, 05:46:00 PMI know, right? 
We'll see what all I have to strip off to get to the bolts.....
Just need my back to get better first....the Doc gave me a steroid pack and it seems to be helping already - tho the one thing they won't want me to do is be bending over and working on a damn car!
We'll see what all I have to strip off to get to the bolts.....
Just need my back to get better first....the Doc gave me a steroid pack and it seems to be helping already - tho the one thing they won't want me to do is be bending over and working on a damn car!