Red

[MiniDave]

Yes actually.....one of those things you learn when you own an early MINI!   

That and the Fonzi move on the door panel when they quit working. Mine go up and down just fine tho.....

[MiniDave]

Keys.....the car came with one remote key and one with no electronic functions except for the recognition chip that lets it start the car - that one is the "problem". It works, but when you drive the locks cycle about every minute or two.

Someone recommended Dr. Bruce, the Mini Key Doctor so I contacted him and sent him a pic of the two keys. His recommendation was either do nothing and use it for a backup key or I could use a program he linked to "remove" both keys from the car's computer and reinstall just the one. He said "use at your own risk" so I decided to take option 1 and make that one my backup key and just use the "good" one!

I sent him a later note to ask what it would cost for another one of the remote keys but haven't heard back, I have a feeling it will be more than I want to pay. We do have a key shop here in town that can do a lot of these fancy keys, I might touch base with him too just for fun.

[cstudep]

There is an old locksmith around here, probably in his 70's I'd guess. Walking into his shop is like a blast into the past with tools, keys, safes etc... On my 2010 GMC the dealership wanted something like 80 bucks for a key, then when I handed them the key they guy said, oh we dont cut double keys anymore. Told me to go to this locksmith. He took my key, did some odd counting sort of out loud sort of in his head....mumbled a bit jotted down some notes on a piece of paper and cut me a key.

I looked at him like "do you seriously expect me to believe this is going to work". He just said ,dont worry it will work, that will be 28 dollars. I handed him a 50 and walked out. I'll be damned if I didn't walk out, put the key in the ignition and off it went. No idea what voodoo magic he had going on in his head to just come up with the key but its the only place I go for keys anymore lol.

[MiniDave]

I was supposed to go to a Mini Club ice cream social last night, it was too hot to drive the classic so I jumped into Red, hit the A/C and headed out. About 2 blocks down the street I knew something was wrong....I pulled over to check for loose wheels or flat tires and found nothing, so I turned around and went back home. I'll put it on the rack today and see what I can find...

The issue is when I accelerate it goes left, when I let off it goes right - significantly. It just feels like the steering's not connected somehow, even tho turning the wheel feels normal. We drove it to dinner the night before and I don't remember it doing that at all, tho we didn't go very far. It sure didn't do it on the 2500 miles I drove a week or so ago!

Possibilities include bad lower control arm bushings (new), torn upper spring plate rubber mounts (also new), or maybe a loose steering rack (I didn't have to unbolt it from the subframe, so I doubt that's it)? One of the guys at the ice cream thing (I drove the Audi) suggested a bent steering arm. I don't think that's it but I'll know more once I get it in the shop later today. It's always some damn thing......