Thanks, a lot of info I'll give you, I think the jury is still out on well worded. When I was all done I realized that I had crafted a review of the car... nine years too late!

I will definitely be using Synthetic in this car, probably the same Mobil One the Mini gets (along with a Mann filter). I'll also be cleaning that PTC nipple. Perhaps that will help clear up the erratic idle I've been noticing during the first couple minutes after starting first thing in the morning. That will all happen soon when I install the serpentine and timing belts, roller and tensioner and water pump that just came in. Technically it could wait another 10K miles, but there's no sticker under the hood and I have records only back to 114K.

With what you guys are telling me and the more I drive it, the more I'm coming around to the idea of worn struts. You see, I'm used to a rough(er) ride and my first car (an '82 244) developed bad struts that completely transformed the car from a smooth rider to a slamming, bobbing down the road kind of thing. I suppose these newer cars cope with it better.

I may go with Sachs/Boge but gee whiz, my wallet is telling me to try out the Monroe's that IPD sells. $85 sounds a lot better than $145 (@FCPGroton) especially when I'm also springing for OEM spring seats and strut mounts.

I've been away for a while. How's Cynthia's 122 and did I see that you got another FWD brick?

--Will
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854 - 244 - Mini