Hi, I also am a new Mini owner of an older Mini. So far, it's great and lots of fun... reminds me of my cars a long time ago when they were fun. I'm looking to join a Mini club in the Northern Illinois lakes region if there is one; or something close. Looking for activities for my car to take advantage of and people to meet.

 

Welcome to NAM h2ok9. Congrats on your purchase. When you say older, do you mean Classic as opposed to the new BMW MINI? My first three Minis were classics: two race cars and a 1967 Cooper S street car. Grew up in Ill., went to Northern Illinois University and raced in Midwestern Council and SCCA, winning two championships with my Mini. Have an R53 right now!

Please post pix of your Mini and let us know what mods have been made or what you would like to make. As for Mini clubs in the area, please check this list:

http://new.minimania.com/article/1637/MINI_CAR_CLUBS

I'm checking with a colleague of mine to see if the Mini in Northern Illinois group is still active.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Just checked in with the Minis in Northern Illinois club and they are still active. Here's what they wrote:

We're still going after 33 years. We celebrated our 30th anniversary with a cruise along the Lincoln Highway (Route 30) beginning in the parking lot of the old Joliet prison from which Jake Blues is released at the beginning of the "Blues Brothers" movie. Our club is going to be featured in the program this year at the British Car Festival in September.

So, go ahead and shoot them a message!

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

suggestion

MINI does not equal Mini

you confuse things when you say old Mini and really mean MINI

so let me offer some references

MINI

A GEN1 MINI, 2002 Cooper S (at the Dragon)
I believe this is an "older MINI"



A GEN2 MINI, 2007 Cooper S
even this is an OLDER MINI .... approaching 10 years old



A GEN2 MINI, 2015 Roadster Cooper S
even this is not new, altho bought new just weeks ago



on the other hand .....

Mini

A very modified 1979 Mini Saloon wearing a fake MK1 (60's) front grill .....



but perhaps you see the BIG differences

this is an 'old Mini'







btw

a club that says We're still going after 33 years.

is a Mini club and not necessarily a MINI club .... {since MINI came to the states in 2002 ....}

you might think I'm picking nits but there is a Mini club near me that tried to stone me when I mentioned I also had a MINI

you might want to try and feel them out before diving in . . .

 

Capt BJ...

I like the color and stripes on the 2007 MINI Cooper S! Those are the same rims that my 2008 MINI Cooper S had.


My 2008 MINI Cooper S (Gen 2)

 

Thank you and I have a lot of learn. My MINI is a 2006 CooperS. So I am absolutely certain isn't an OLD MINI but an older MINI.

I've read the books and the websites, but I don't yet know what has been added to her.
I just had the Euroshop go over everything and I need to replace the "serpentine Belt" isn't what you call it in the MINI but... One super neat thing is that the Euroshop has taken care of my MINI for its whole entire life so I can find out everything that has happened to her, and they are only 2 miles from my house. It's not often you can buy a used car and get the entire history of EVERYTHING.

Seems like there is a huge community out here that loves their MINIs as much as I love mine.....and mine is only two weeks old to me.

Thank you for the welcome and I am looking for more localized clubs to bond with.

 

Many think that the "sweet spot" is 2004-2006, so you definitely did well. Please feel free to ask any questions! As for the serpentine belt:

http://new.minimania.com/part/NME501...ue-Line-R52-53

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

Welcome to Mini or MINI ownership!! And welcome to NAM!

 

Thanks Just looked up the serpentine belt. I'm positive that my shop guy will charge me tons more than the price. Should be interesting. I hope I've included the photo of my New To Me MINI........ we'll see

 

You can always by the belt and ask him is labor charges to install.

Drive Hard. Drive Safe. Keep Grinning.

 

I got your note a few days ago and you have totally confused me. What do I have? I think it's a MINI or could be a Mini---- but its a Cooper S 2006 and I LOVE it.

 

MINI

and Mini

are not the same ......

while I welcome you to the gang

omg .....