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How to Make Your Old Car Feel New - The Cheap Car Transformation!

Barn Club Cars

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How to Make Your Old Car Feel New - The Cheap Car Transformation!
I am giving my Mini Cooper diesel some cheap car upgrades in the barn, proving you can make an older vehicle feel brand new.

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Living affordably doesn't mean you have to settle for a car that feels like a heap of junk. I am tackling a few jobs on this old diesel to prove that budget car maintenance is achievable for anyone with a bit of space and a few tools.

We are going through the process of making this retro car restoration feel worthwhile by sorting out the little things that make a big difference. Whether you are dealing with a Mini Cooper diesel or any other high-mileage runner, these affordable car mods help bring a bit of life back to a tired daily driver. It is all about knowing what to fix first so you can enjoy the road again.

Subscribe for the next round of Barn Club projects, and let me know in the comments: what is the one upgrade that actually made your cheap car feel new again?

Do these upgrades yourself -
For paint and body work - Instagram: street_motorsport_uk
Mini R56 Car play Head unit - https://link.amazon/B07OQ6s4C
Headlight Polish - https://link.amazon/B0iu3EfkK
Leather Dye - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194263564399

Chapters -
00:00 - £500 Mini Cooper
00:36 - Fixing bad paint on your car
04:58 - Fixing cloudy headlights at home
06:53 - Holy Drink Discount Code - Save 10%
08:06 - Fitting Apple CarPlay to a Mini R56
15:07 - Changing Mini wiper blades
16:58 - Cheap easy leather repair
18:53 - We made this old cheap car like new again
30:09 - How much did it cost to update this Mini?

#car #upgrades #diy

20 Comments

@NoobiusMaximus-555 16 hours ago

Your Mini would look awesome with matching white door mirrors and white powder coated wheels!! 🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁

@def90cars 4 days ago

I think the question about bangeronomics can also be applied to people who insist on having the latest iPhones inside it just using old phones that still work😊

@snellingjam1 5 days ago

Roof came out really well! ......also I smiled way to much when my comment was read out! Lol 😂

@Isszarya 5 days ago

The way things are better to go back to when cars were better

@derekgb3780 2 days ago

So many people (in the UK) are addicted to PCPs these days (effectively just renting new cars for 3 years) that they can't comprehend the concept of having an older car which is kept (and serviced) up to a good standard.

@meditationsseries3002 5 days ago

What a difference! I think you've got a good car there, well done!

@mcjordi 5 days ago

Looks miles better with the roof done :)

@nicholasbradley5110 5 days ago

That white roof looks mint white mirrors the cooper look done lol !!! ❤

@jefftaylor9506 5 days ago

One ‘benefit’ of a slightly battered looking (but sound underneath) car is that people do keep their difference as I think they look at the car and think you may not care of a little contact!

@alanwedmore4888 4 days ago

Can you play DAB radio via your phone?

@leedsgeek2681 1 day ago

I love my old cars, modern cars you need a computer and a £500 sensor to fix a problem, old cars nip to local car parts part is £10/£20 some spanners your good to go, the real benefit and everyone will agree with this, why does a headlight bulb changing require taking the front of the car off, old cars a few bolts bit of jiggling and it’s out

@charles58103 1 day ago

I installed a third party unit for a mini and I was confused with the connection.

I read somewhere that you can connect via wifi or bluetooth. On mine the bluetooth was the most reliable (and used less phone battery). Might be worthwhile playing with the connections?

@stewartross5055 4 days ago

With regards to the dab adapter, I have exactly the same one and usually a Ariel has to be placed in the windscreen. It sticks to the glass and you just have to rub down a piece of paint in the door pillar to create an earth. These Ariel's are available on Amazon.

@nickdent2512 4 days ago

The guy who felt he wouldn’t impress a lady with an older car is too materialistic. You have a great car there at peak good tech with the amazing W16 engine that’s super reliable and has none of the pitfalls of more modern cars. Imagine - in 10 years your Mini will run just as well if generally maintained and likely pass the more modern ‘planned obsolescence’ car broken down in a lay by with a load of sensors gone tech that’s uneconomical to repair. So no thanks to laptops on wheels!

I’ve the same Mini and have just ditched my aftermarket DAB as 4G coverage is better. Drive around Cornwall if you’re not convinced. 😂 As for your Mini mistake? The speedo? You can just use the smaller display I know. I’ve just put car play in but with a small 7” unit on a CD slot mount which does the job well.

Love the channel, love the Mini, more videos please! People are waking up to these 05-10 era cars as the best. Interestingly later 2010 on R56s have timing chains with plastic guards that are not as reliable as the amazing (dry cam belt) W16s. Super car! 👍😊

@fatbelly27 1 day ago

I like having decent wipers but don't buy them from Halfords or use their brand. Bosch wipers online are better and cheaper. The other thing you could have considered is upgraded headlight bulbs and silvered indicator bulbs