[tweedbean]

So earlier the year I was close to buying two other Paceman's, both petrol All4 models however both had engine issues so I had to pull out. That same eBay search has been saved with no salvage listing coming up for the last couple of months, when a very cheap one popped up earlier in the week. I had to go look at it as it was was only 20 mins away and super cheap. Why was it super cheap you ask, considering the body work and interior is perfect, its an all4 Cooper SD model, with 93k on the clock, heated full leather seats, DAB etc, well the engine is seized, which 99% means a replacement engine is needed. It has 8 months MOT left and isn't categorised which is a bonus. Once I got there I knew I had to have it, it was as tidy as it looked in the pictures:

Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr

Untitled by James Baker, on Flickr

So I paid up and luckily even thought it was 5pm he managed to get a transported there to drop it straight home as clearly I couldnt drive it with a seized engine. I gave it a quick wash as it had sat in a farms storage yard for a while:

It cleaned up really well, the body really is perfect minus one tiny door ding, very tiny.

2.0SD PACEMAN by James Baker, on Flickr

The colour wasn't my first choice but I have big plans long term, but short term I want to get a new engine in and get it on the road. It won't be going on air suspension that's for sure, it may even get a lift kit, lets see...

Here is a quick intro video:

 

[CarsOrBikes]

you might find it not to be seized if you take a look at it, I bought one like this from a garage unwilling to tackle it, and the top chain had wrapped itself around the injection pump sprocket locking the motor, clue was in that the crank pulley would move freely only a couple of mm either way....

they can be seized with consequences of servicing and other stuff but well worth a check before you waste money, these are very rebuildable motors as is evident in my Countryman thread.

 

[tweedbean]

you might find it not to be seized if you take a look at it, I bought one like this from a garage unwilling to tackle it, and the top chain had wrapped itself around the injection pump sprocket locking the motor, clue was in that the crank pulley would move freely only a couple of mm either way....

they can be seized with consequences of servicing and other stuff but well worth a check before you waste money, these are very rebuildable motors as is evident in my Countryman thread.

Thanks will take a look at your thread. I've sorted an engine anyway, worst case I sell it on. Just don't have the time/knowledge to rebuild the engine itself right now, so Millsy's Autos will take a look at it for me, if the engine isn't needed he will let me know . Currently ripping our house apart, pulling down walls etc so not the best time to start another project but I do like to keep myself busy.

 

[tweedbean]

Engine and delivery paid for this morning. Rotrip got in contact after seeing one of my social media posts, they have just took delivery of a Countryman SD which has done around 193k, super high mileage, probably the most I have seen from a countryman. The engine itself was fitted a few years ago as a replacement to the original, this replacement has now done 66k, Its in need of a clutch and we will be fitting a new timing chain. Will refresh anything that needs doing before it goes in. The engine will be delivered straight to Millsys Auto's hopefully the end of this week and then will book a slot for Jason to fit it which means this could be back on the road a lot quicker and cheaper than I first thought. As I plan to up the torque via a custom remap to assist with off roading, I will see what aftermarket clutches are available for the this engine, need to shop around and see what parts you can get as have no experience with this engine.

 

[tweedbean]

Replacement engine was delivered straight to Millsy's Auto's and Jason has now pulled it apart. Its not the cleanest of engines on the outside but all looks good mechanically. He has ordered a new clutch/flywheel/chain/tensioners etc have been ordered to ensure everything is fresh before it's installed. He can then make the best of two engines once he has the Paceman there.

url= https://flic.kr/p/2nSpN8s ]

[/url]Engine sourced by James Baker, on Flickr

So I am just about to arrange for the car itself to be transported over to Millsy's so he can slot it in for the engine to be fitted.

 

[tweedbean]

Finally an update on my Paceman, having sourced an engine from Rotrip Ltd, off it went to Millsys Autos. Here’s a short update video

 

[tweedbean]

So at the moment, the Paceman is getting lots of use. I've done over 500 miles in the last 2 weeks. Where we have moved to is on the outskirts of a little village and our road is criss crossed with little rivers and hills which means it tends to flood in bad weather, luckily this doesnt affect our house just the roads. It pretty much means the BRZ will probably be put in the garage until next year and I will use a combo of the Paceman and F56 over the next few months.

I have started on the visuals for the Paceman, firstly by dechroming the exterior. I have gone for OEM black headlights with OEM front/rear light trims. I also have the belt line, front and rear badges as well as door handles to fit.

I have created a mini playlist on youtube covering the dechroming "how To" videos for the Paceman for anyone that wants to do the same:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiHRzx1_4zHnkL_YLmNPsrtdsPJ2k6I3b

 

[tweedbean]

Since I've had the Paceman, I knew I wanted to dechome the car and this also meant getting rid of the silver 18" OEM wheels, I would have done them black, however my preferred choice of wheel re-furbisher, City Wheel Refurbishment in Birmingham use powder coat which wouldn't work with the plastic centre faces on those wheels. Then when I saw the company I purchased the replacement engine from, Rotrip, were selling the wheels off that same Countryman, I snapped them up at £160 delivered which was a bargain. They weren't in great condition as the previous owner had rattle canned them matt black without even bothering to remove the centre caps or even masking the mini logo, which meant they were very ugly but none of this bothered me as I knew they would come up like new once refurbed.

This was an example of one of them pre being stripped down and refurbed.

Also this was a good opportunity to settle on future plans as tyre choice has a big influence. I settled on going for a chunkier tyre for the all terrain look and capability. A set of Yokohama Geolander A/T came up with a decent discount on black friday so I decided to go with those. I went for 215/65/17 so keeping to the stock width but going a lot taller on the side wall. From what I read online this should fit with stock suspension and also look good eventually with a lift kit fitted. City did an amazing job at £35 a wheel including tyre removal and fitting, really pleased with how they came out. Just need to finish off the dechrome, as I have black handles/badges/beltline sat here ready to fit. Then I just need to paint the front grill.

Here is a quick update if you want to take a look:

 

[tweedbean]

The interior of the Paceman, although in good condition lacked any toys other than heated seats. So I decided to upgrade the head unit, I viewed lots of different ones one youtube, ebay, alibaba, icebox autos etc and decided to go with a UK supplier so if any problems, I have a persons to speak to. So I went with an android based replacement headunit with carplay. Icebox Auto in Liverpool were really helpful during the purchase process and offer support if you are fitting yourself. I have a fitting video going live later today, but here are my first impression of the headunit a week after completing the install myself. Icebox Auto's also offer a fitting service if you dont fancy doing it yourself(This isn't sponsored).

 

[E-R53]

I bought an android head unit from them a few years ago for a previous e39 bmw 5er with nav/dab/camera/etc, they were very helpful to me also and although the unit was a "bit dimwitted" I have to say, it did everything I wanted it to do & it looked reasonably oem.