Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Thought this might be the place to ask... the other evening my better half drove my car (BMW Mini) for the first time in over two weeks and two things cropped up that concerned her.

Issue 1: thud-dud-dud-da sound as the car moves slowly or slows down to a stop.

• I’ve pumped the tyres to the recommended psi
  
• had a look at the wheel arches - nothing there
  
• driven the car for a couple of 45min drives
  
  

It seems to have gone, or at least greatly decreased. But I still want to know what it was. The problem didn’t go when I pumped the tyres up.

A quick search online threw up the suggestion that nylon-cord tyres (as opposed to steel) can have flat spots when cold. The tyres, Pirelli Cinturato P1 Verde, were replaced in September - nothing online seems to confirm/deny what they are made with.

Any thoughts or ideas?

Issue 2: There is a dragging noise to the brakes – pretty sure it’s the rear discs, but hard to know for certain.

• I’ve braked suddenly (albeit from a slow speed) and the ABS kicked in and stopped the car fine.
  
• I’ve dragged the brake while driving slowly for a short time.
  
  

I feel confident the brakes work, and would have expected Kwickfit to have tried to sell me new brake pads in September if they were near wearing out.

Any tips on what I should be checking though as a check list?

Cheers.

Euph?

If the car has been standing then there might have been climatic issues that would have altered the brakes; cold weather, excess standing in water/dripping water on calipers/discs, etc. usually linked to tiny changes/uneven disc wear; two weeks was more than enough for it to happen on motors at my old mans car yard, even on brand new vehicles. If it's decreasing over time that'll probably be it.

A wheel bearing would only really present itself at a relatively constant pace between two different speeds.

Alternatively she's run over a drummer who's sending an SOS.

Rust build up on the brake discs from when the car wasn't used for a while? Has the sound gone since you dragged the brakes?

Just realised the list function on here reformatted everything in a slightly confusing way.

Issue 1, thud-dud-dud-da sound didn't go from the drag braking. Just in case, when I drove it I was cautious about braking.

The slight resistant feeling on the brakes remained.

@Bullheart - cheers. With the recent weather that was sort of my thought. I expected a combination of rust on the discs and just general road grime.

I have tried to be quite good at rinsing the car down after long drives on salty roads - not sure if it makes much difference though, but for the sake of 2mins with a hose...

WDF

for those that prefer their off-roading chauffeur driven.

/would

No idea why. Looks like Kahn Design got hold of it... :o)

If you don't love Kahn design you weren't there in the 90s.

Nene overland or gtfo

Guilty on both counts.

Spotted this nice little moggy up in Boston last week, anyone here have/had one?

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Yes, don't put a 1275 marina engine in one with out changing the front barakes from drum to disc brakes.

All panels are available.

I've got a Moggy but it's a Traveller not a pick up. I've also never driven it - it needs a lot of work doing to it, and I won't be the one doing it. And unfortunately the chap who will be doing it is rather busy. Still, one day...

Is he a carpenter?

Have you seen the 4 door traveller? It was for sale at Beaulieu last year.

Pics or...

No, originally two door.

Do back doors count?

Yes.

they're good value atm.

Ok in that case have you seen the 6 door traveller?

EDIT - It is a 2 door estate on wikipedia and in the advertising brochures.

It never happened for me, too young and too poor.

I probably still have a few issues of Performance VW somewhere. I used to drool over them every night. Though it was a bit annoying when they put girls in the way so you couldn't tell if it was delocked.

When u realise u r another Max Power reader. :oP

Max Power

#RIP4evainrhartz etc