Lude Generation

Hi guys,

Me and the GF have just bought a new MINI Cooper and it's an awesome little car but this means my the Lude is not needed anymore

However I've convinced her to let me declare it off the road and fix its many little foibles and hopefully make some improvements (new house has large drive way )

I have a list of things that need to be done:
Fix shock knock at the rear.
Replace/repair exhaust/manifold.
Service (this keeps getting put off for a different reason every week).
Replace cam seal.
Check valve clearances.


However I have no idea about modifications. I'm planning on this being a bit of a project but without much spare money or knowledge it'll be slow going.

So does anyone know anything I should look at for inspiration or advice.

Other than here of course

The best place for inspiration is right here.
Have a read of a few profiles.

personaly i would keep the motor stock, its cheaper and super reliable. maybe just personalise the look of your car to suit you, its cheap that way as you can do this while still having the option to drive it. another thought about tuning is it will drink more fuel, i can hear it even now - WHY DONT YOU GET RID OF THAT BLOODY CAR, IT COST A FURTUNE TO RUN, what she really means is she would like the money for her hair . maybe have a look at a wrap or even some body mods like this

By littlefeller2010 at 2012-03-13


would look ever better with some alfa romeo projetor head lights in there

littlefeller wrote:personaly i would keep the motor stock, its cheaper and super reliable. maybe just personalise the look of your car to suit you, its cheap that way as you can do this while still having the option to drive it. another thought about tuning is it will drink more fuel, i can hear it even now - WHY DONT YOU GET RID OF THAT BLOODY CAR, IT COST A FURTUNE TO RUN, what she really means is she would like the money for her hair . maybe have a look at a wrap or even some body mods like this

By littlefeller2010 at 2012-03-13


would look ever better with some alfa romeo projetor head lights in there

It's a 5th gen so to look like that would take a lot of work.

The car will be off the road until next spring so having a working car is not an issue.

And in regards to a wrap, one of the many jobs needing done is attention to the rust that's appearing. It was immaculate when I bought it in September last year, and one winter has made it start to resemblance a 4th gen so It'll need a respray anyways.

Strip it out, that's free & will make you go faster

Do small services one at a time, there are some great write-ups on here.

Keep it stock and OEM.

And sell the Mini.

Sorry to hear about the Mini man, it's a damn shame

Prelude though, I think what you need to do is goto this thread: http://www.ludegeneration.co.uk/profile ... t2563.html and start trawling the 5G profiles. Decide what you like, then pick at it. Anything is possible, and if you have the time, you can spend less money

I've got an oem manifold & downpipe you can have

Nitin talks sense.

You will need the 'Lude for when the MINI's in having its engine, PAS pump or various electrics replaced.

IV GOT IT, by jove i have. wait for it









sell the 5th and buy a 4th you got rust anyhow, so you may as well