Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

For reviews / technical discussions on the other car.. using the knowledge of others on the forum
User avatar
qwakers
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9929
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:56 pm
RX-8: Turbo
Colour: Nordic Green
Location: cornwall
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 1840 times
Contact:

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by qwakers »

Jester* wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2025 8:46 pm
So when on the inside of the roundabout (closest to the middle) turning right. Lifesaver to your left when changing lane to exit. You don't need to do one to the right as in theory no one should be yeeting through the middle of the roundabout.

When on the outside of the roundabout, going straight ahead or left. Lifesaver to the right. In theory your road position should mean no one is cutting to your left, and you are checking no one is diving to the right of you. It does become second nature after a while.
and there's your first clue.

biker 101. assume everyone is a homicidal moron out to get you. just because no one should be there, doesn't mean they wont, and its the biker that comes off worse.

if you are changing lane, exiting a road or changing position in the lane, lifesaver in direction of travel.
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

Kind of, you lifesaver the blind spot not the direction of travel, if I'm going straight ahead or left on a roundabout I wouldn't lifesaver to the left, you'd be checking the kerb/grass verge. You'd lifesaver to your right where someone might be diving under you.

Same goes on the inside of the roundabout, the right hand side would be the grass circle/concrete of the roundabout. If someone's crashing through that you'd be up the creek anyway. So I wouldn't lifesaver to the right.
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
User avatar
qwakers
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9929
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:56 pm
RX-8: Turbo
Colour: Nordic Green
Location: cornwall
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 1840 times
Contact:

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by qwakers »

of course your lifesaver is your blind spot thats not in dispute (for the record i held both rospa membership and gained and held iam gold for many years, so i do kinda know what im talking about.) my point is if you are moving left you lifesaver over your left shoulder ie in the direction of intended travel. moving from right lane to left lane, check left. exiting roundabout check left. enter roundabout, check right as your total movement is right.

and checking the verge? damn right. the number of times ive had another 'biker' going to pass me between me and the kerb especially in london.... cyclists too at low speed.
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

I think we are getting our wires crossed a little. I'm only talking about a roundabout, not for example turning left off a road, down a side road, where you'd take position 1, lifesaver left before turning left.

The way you are explaining the above is, you wouldn't be life saving to your right as you exit a roundabout when left first exit or straight ahead. Which is 100% against what I was taught. As we are concerned about what's potentially straight lining a roundabout or cars/bikes trying to nip around the outside and off at your exit. As we aren't crossing any lanes to exit.

Your road position on the outside of the roundabout negates the risk from the left, greater danger from the right.
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
User avatar
qwakers
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Posts: 9929
Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:56 pm
RX-8: Turbo
Colour: Nordic Green
Location: cornwall
Has thanked: 461 times
Been thanked: 1840 times
Contact:

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by qwakers »

no lifesaver right ENTERING the roundabout, left exiting or changing lane to the left.
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

I think we are going to have to disagree here. There's a marked difference to how you carry out a lifesaver from turning left, straight ahead and right while ON a roundabout.

One changes across lanes, the other doesn't.

Also a lifesaver is only valid for 2 seconds. So if you haven't turned left within 2 seconds of your life saver, checking right from entering the roundabout. It's now putting you at risk from the right hand side.
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
Dom-PZ
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 296
Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2018 10:20 am
RX-8: PZ
Colour: Brilliant Black
Location: Swindon
Has thanked: 26 times
Been thanked: 46 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Dom-PZ »

To be fair, looking at youtube videos some of the comments say the advanced stuff (road craft is it?) is different to the MOD2 stuff. I expect it's something that makes sense only after you've done it.

I'm out on the bike tomorrow, granted green lanes so not too many roundabouts, but I'll pay attention to what I'm doing 'naturally' and how it fits.

I definitely feel less guilty about being confused now!
These users thanked the author Dom-PZ for the post:
Jester* (Sun Feb 02, 2025 12:13 pm)
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

Dom-PZ wrote:
Sat Feb 01, 2025 5:19 pm
To be fair, looking at youtube videos some of the comments say the advanced stuff (road craft is it?) is different to the MOD2 stuff. I expect it's something that makes sense only after you've done it.

I'm out on the bike tomorrow, granted green lanes so not too many roundabouts, but I'll pay attention to what I'm doing 'naturally' and how it fits.

I definitely feel less guilty about being confused now!
100%, just listen to your instructor, he will always know best!

Have a great time if its anything like Kent, it is a lovely day for it :)
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
User avatar
McBandy
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 634
Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2023 3:28 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Lightning Yellow
Location: Havant
Has thanked: 198 times
Been thanked: 100 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by McBandy »

Jester* wrote:
Sat Jan 04, 2025 2:09 pm
MCS
Today however my weighted gear knob from Billetworkz arrived from the US. So I knew I could whip the surround out of the car and replace the gear gaitor in the warm and then fit the knob. Everyone loves a good unboxing and fitting so here are some photos.

Image

Image

Image

Lovely boxing and quality from the off. I do like those kinds of little touches, for anyone that doesn't know the Mini OEM gearknob is a pull/push fit affair and not threaded. So you grub screw the adaptor in place and then wind the new knob in. Now my eye caught the fact the shift pattern is off centre, but angled towards the driver, so I do hope it is intentional and meant to be like that!
You're a bad influence, now looking on there for a new knob, was previously considering one from zillalife.com but love a rarer part, so much choice too!

The hairpins I've got came off an MG, does that matter?
Chris
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

McBandy wrote:
Thu Feb 06, 2025 8:15 pm
You're a bad influence, now looking on there for a new knob, was previously considering one from zillalife.com but love a rarer part, so much choice too!

The hairpins I've got came off an MG, does that matter?
I have been using the Mini with the new knob for a few weeks now and it has definitely made the relatively rubbish feel of it much better. Way easier to go into gear compared to stock, coupled with the solid flywheel and clutch kit, it feels almost essential. Surprised that it doesn't seem to be done much in the Mini community, everyone is looking for a carbon JCW gearknob.

MG and first gen Minis (Maybe even second gen actually) share the same size hub. So the hairpins I have on my car came from an MG. Straight bolt on, no spigot rings needed!
These users thanked the author Jester* for the post:
McBandy (Sat Feb 08, 2025 10:07 pm)
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
User avatar
Jester*
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 323
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:47 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aurora Blue Mica
Location: Kent
Has thanked: 68 times
Been thanked: 226 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Jester* »

There has been a mad flurry of activity over the past few weeks or so. So please see the below.

MCS

The Mini has now had its seats delivered! So I now have seats, subframes and some resistors.

I went for the Sparco R500 fabric seat. I feel like it is a good looking seat that doesn't break the bank while also having tilt/recline. So I can access the rear luggage space if I need too!

Image

I've had a little sit in and fit well, fingers crossed they make a nice difference in the Mini. I will lose my seat heating which is a shame, I have toyed with buying a dirt cheap set of Mini heated seats and pulling them apart for the seat wiring so I can make my own heated version with an aftermarket heating element. But only casually mulling the idea over, as fabric won't get too cold.

So now we need a break in the weather so I can attempt fitting. It has been a while since I have fitted some seats but excited to get them in the car.

Fiesta Zetec S

Hold up says you all, what madness is this. I am of the generation that in my late teens it was either 106 GTi, Saxo VTS or Fiesta Zetec S being the must have cars.

Well I've had a saved Facebook Marketplace search for a MK5(or 4.5 whoever you actually believe) Fiesta Zetec S for a long time. I have been very nostalgic over the car as I really rated it back when I was 19 and wanted to get back into one. Mine was an '02 plated "Phase 2" Zetec S in Imperial Blue and one night I saw this one pop up. Being a massive man child with a bank account I only went and bought it.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

So for any eagle eye'd aficionados you may notice that this one has the quite rare options of A/C and heated front windscreen, which obviously is really exciting. Now the only modification currently is a stainless steel back box, which isn't too bad and meant I got back from Suffolk not too deaf and an aftermarket headunit.

Now, was it a case of rose tinted glasses. I am happy to say no, considering the absolutely abysmal state of the weather and roads at the moment the way this thing grips and goes is surprising. Another 20 years of tyre technology really seems to help! I must admit I drove a bit like my 19 year old self, but only having 103bhp I was well within all speed limits while feeling like an absolute hero.

Problems I hear you say, yes there are some. The A/C is currently not working as the car blows hot air at all temperature settings, now my old car did this and it was the HCV (Heater control valve). So I have one on the way to hopefully fix this. There are some trims that need replacing in the future, A pillar trim potentially and the drivers side door cards. Knowing my luck with water leaks, I am already planning on getting fresh rear light seals and wiper seal to change in the spring/summer. Oh and the steering wheel offends me like it did back in the day. I'd like to get that off and retrimmed black with blue stitching, unless you can get a blue alcantara, that might be fun.

Rust, we cannot discuss a Ford of this generation without touching on this, the nearside rear arch is bubbling and will need doing. It has advisories for sill corrosion and I stuck my head under the car as best I could and didn't see anything too insanely horrible. But we can all see where this is going, I am sure just like a good old MX5 there will be something hidden. I do intend on this being a bit of a restoration and preservation kind of car, so when I can I am going to pop down to the chap who did my MPS welding and get it booked in to be gone through.

Parts on the way, a set of Bosch Aerotwins (love me an Aerotwin :love:) and some amber side repeaters. As we are definitely getting rid of those clear ones.

Side thought, don't actually hate the pressed plates. What is becoming of me.

BUT There is always a but, I have decided that it is time to part with the MPS. Obviously this is a really hard decision, but I feel like keeping the car purely for sentimentality is starting to leave me. It is losing its place in my fleet of cars and getting driven less and less. It is basically perfect as it is now and time for it to find a new home. I do hope it isn't stripped for parts. So more on that as I decide how to go about selling it over the next few months.
These users thanked the author Jester* for the post:
McBandy (Thu Feb 13, 2025 8:38 am)
Mazda 3 MPS Aero - Cosmic Blue
Mazda RX8 R3 - Aurora Blue
Mazda RX7 FD3s Type R Barthurst R
Mini Cooper S - Dark Silver
User avatar
Nickp47
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 2404
Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 9:00 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aluminium Silver
Location: Maidenhead
Has thanked: 322 times
Been thanked: 556 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Nickp47 »

Fiesta Zetec-S are so much fun to drive, they still
look good to my eyes and I don’t think there can be any doubt the blue is the best colour. I’d probably have one myself if I didn’t have my Puma.
User avatar
warpc0il
Spin Doctor
Spin Doctor
Posts: 33329
Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
RX-8: 231
Colour: Lightning Yellow
Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
Has thanked: 887 times
Been thanked: 3705 times
Contact:

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by warpc0il »

One of Pauline's favourite company cars, from 20 years ago!
IMG_3480.JPG
These users thanked the author warpc0il for the post:
Nickp47 (Wed Feb 12, 2025 10:54 pm)
Dave
The Spin Doctor ™
uǝǝɹɔs ɹnoʎ ʇɹǝʌuı ǝsɐǝld :ɹoɹɹǝ
User avatar
Nickp47
Club Member
Club Member
Posts: 2404
Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 9:00 pm
RX-8: R3
Colour: Aluminium Silver
Location: Maidenhead
Has thanked: 322 times
Been thanked: 556 times

Re: Jesters Other Vehicles - 3MPS/RX7/Mini Cooper S

Post by Nickp47 »

I had a few 2.0 STs as demos around then too, also lots of fun. Makes me mournful for the Fiesta, amongst a few cooking models I had an RS1800 when I was younger , loved that car (until it taught me a valuable lesson about lift off oversteer).
Post Reply

Return to “The Other Car..”