Happy Christmas everyone!!!

Mary got some new Goodyear F1 tires and I got a really awesome MINI t-shirt that says "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."

 

i got a s hat

 

Happy New Year PW27ers! I hope it is filled of many fun and enjoyable MINI things!


GBMG - How's the new tranny situation going??

 

Happy new year!!!!

Geez, the tranny situation.....Was hoping to pick Mary up on Friday as we had a club run on Saturday to Waco to meet up with the Dallas group. I'm not sure how to take the reason they gave me for not having her ready: we ran out of transmission fluid. I know these things come pre-filled! How can a dealership run out of transmission fluid?! Shouldn't they have noticed they were low? Something's suspicious here, me thinks.

 

"we ran out of transmission fluid?" Are you kidding me?! Unless this is just the worst MINI dealership ever, that doesn't add up. Sorry to hear you are still having so many problems Kris. Hopefully things will get sorted out soon!

My new clutch is much better. Mine was obviously just a faulty part because this one feels much more smooth and solid. They keep telling me they have fixed the dash rattle I keep complaining about, and it comes back within 2 miles of the dealership... but other than that, everything on mine is how it should be.

Hope the new year is starting off well for everyone!

Drew

 

My SA said that my MINI adventures are worth of Lemony Snicket: one long series of unfortunate events. Here's the story on the tranny fluid:

Every tranny comes in with a sticker label saying what type of fluid to use in it. Yes, they come pre-filled, but they are always a few pumps short. My tranny showed up with a "Use LT4 fluid" sticker. My tech looks at it and says, "What is LT4? We have LT2 and LT3, but I've never seen 4 before!" He asks around and no one else has heard of it either, so he sends off a report to Puma and they come back and tell him to get with Parts and MINI technical. This is basically what went down:

My tech: "What is LT4 and how do I get my hands on some?"

"Just use the BMW LT4...it's the same thing."

"I don't believe I've ever seen any BMW LT4 back here. Hold on. Yeah, we don't have that."

"This IS for a new one, right?"

"It's an 06."

"OH! LT4 is what the 07s are using."

"We don't even have those yet!"

"Yeah, well, use LT3. The tranny is just mislabeled."

So, my 06 tranny is labeled as an 07. Cool. So, they are going to top it off and test it and then check out some A/C compressor issues tomorrow. Should FINALLY have it back by Friday.....before it goes back in another month, I'm sure.

 

Amazing GBMiniGirl!

I hope this is the end of your crummy MINI experiences.

 

Time to light a candle for the '07 tranny. STOP THE MADNESS!

Hope this is finally resolved for you Kris!

 

Picked her up today and so far so good. I'm not sure what the official reason behind the tranny failing is or what was actually replaced in the a/c because the paperwork wasn't ready (my SA wasn't there). I guess I'll stop in Monday to get the details.

So, the "one month" time clock is now ticking! Let's see what unfolds, shall we? But first and foremost, the new tires go on tomorrow!

 

I hope your problems go away for good GBMG!! You have had way more than your share of challenges!



In other news... I have finally got my first *real* mod put in. I ordered and installed some Hella Optilux lights (angel eye lamps). They look really great, IMHO!








Mods up next: Shoe's engine damper (in red) and window tinting!

At 9,570 miles and still enjoying every one!

 

Those look fantastic! I was seriously looking at those for Mosquito before I broke down and bought the OEM ones. I just couldn't figure out how to mount them! Doesn't look like you drilled in to your bumper. How'd you do it?

Update: the stupid noise that I was told "a valve just needs lubing" is still there! I think it's actually louder. Not amused. Will definately be stopping by the dealership tomorrow now. I have to tell you, it's killing me to drive like a grandma while the tranny/clutch break in!!! I did wipe her down with some detail spray today. (it was gorgeous outside!)..and then went and washed Bettie (my husband's MINI). I'm sore. Must be out of practice!

 

This is too funny and, IMO, just so cute! My Mom was here visiting for the holidays. My partner told her to make sure to bring her red hat (One of them anyway. She's a Red Hatter.) so we could take her picture with Jake.

One night we found a packet on the porch with sticky note on it that said 'To: Jake's Grandma' It was a cross-stitch kit (with a red hat theme, of course) that said 'If you follow the rules...you miss half the fun!' Sounds like a MINIac credo! Our neighbors are great. They often leave little holiday treats, etc. from them and their two boys. We figured it was them that left the packet.

Anyway, I have been snickering about the concept of Jake having a Grandma ever since. So, I'd like you all to meet my Mom but, moreso, JAKE'S GRANDMA! As you can see not only Jake is 'wee tiny'!

 

Any PW27ers going to AMVIV? I think I've finally decided to go, but flying out, not driving. I don't relish a 22 hour drive by myself in a short amount of time (or worse yet: what if my tranny dies again...out in the middle of nowhere!). But, I'd love to meet some of you!

Who's going?

 

Hey Kris! I'll be there!!! Staying at the Palace Station. You?

 

Going to try to! I have some "ifs" to work out. Waiting to hear back from a friend in California who's going. If her room is full, then I'll call and try to get my own. Worse case, I'll stay with my friend in N. Las Vegas, but I'm pretty sure my room at her place as already been coverted to a nursery. And, I seriously doubt she'll be up to shuttling my butt around when she's 9 mo. preggers.

If I could only find a nav in Houston (that I wouldn't mind spending 22 hrs in a car with) that is going, I'd drive Mary out there. Then I'd be able to hook up with the Dallas/OKC caravan.

 

Hello? Are the PW27ers out there still? Too busy Motoring I see...

Anywho, I was busy being nostalgic today and went through a bunch of past posts in here. Its cool to see all the excitement we had talking about and waiting for our MINIs to arrive. Now, our MINIs are out and about, with new mods and lots of miles on the clock.

It is nice to take a moment and reflect... seeing as how our cars are about 6 months old now. Happy 6 month-ish Birthday to our MINIs!

To make this post more interesting, what is the best story/experience you have had since owning the MINI?

Mine would be the fact that my boyfriend enjoyed riding shotgun so much and hanging out with the MINI people at meets, that he bought his own S! :D

 

I'm still around, though I haven't been posting much lately. I've been a busy guy. My mileage count is now up to 17,300! My girlfriend lives 265 miles away, deep into the mountains of NC, so I've really added some miles going to visit her lately.

I'd have to say that my favorite motoring experience so far has been driving through the mountains with her. She's a fun co-pilot because she loves zipping through the twisty roads with me. Every time we come to a twisty section she gives me this look that says "yay!, we're going to have some fun now!" which I automatically think to myself, "wow, this girl is really a keeper!"

Motoring has been awesome, and I've had a blast so far. If you haven't checked it out lately, I have some new posts in my blog that are pretty fun.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Drew

 

I like the license plate Drew! I didn't even realize at first that the "i" is in fact a "1". We unfortunately can't do those number/letter combinations. The numbers/letters have to be grouped together! Also, it stinks that we only can work with 6 characters... Once we get 7, I'm going to get a new vanity!

That is a long distance to drive to see your girlfriend! How many hours is that??

 

Yeah, it is a long way to travel, but it's worth it. It takes me 4.5 hours to get there. It's mostly highway, but toward the end there is a nice twisty section that's about 20 miles long. I LOVE when I'm all alone through there!

It is really nice that we have 8 letters/#s for our plates here. Plus we don't need a front plate either. I figured I would try to use all 8 spots since I can, and yeah, the 1 does look almost identical to an I, so that worked out well too. Thanks for checking out my blog!

Drew

 

Well, Mary (and Bettie) decided to imitate a popsicle this morning....

http://s97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...l/ice%20storm/

Somehow, Mary seemed to collect more ice than Bettie.

 

I have some amazing news! My little "lemon" is going to be a pin-up girl!

I don't know if any of you got this email from MC2 yesterday:

"Well, it's 2007, the new MINI is due on the showroom floor by February 17, and we at MC2 have been planning some new features and ideas for your magazine. We would like your input and photos...MC2 is going to host a "Dynamic Showcase" for modified MINIs at AMVIV (www.amviv.com)

As editor Gary explains... The best modified Minis, like the three on the cover of this issue of MC2, are built up to provide above-average driving performance as well as to look great on the show field. However, there are few, if any, opportunities to showcase both sets of characteristics in any organized event.

Here at the American magazine for Minis, we want to provide that opportunity. We’re working with Phil Wicks to host what we’re calling a “Dynamic Showcase” during the track event at A Mini Vacation in Vegas this March.

We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but we’re proposing to select ten (10) cars from among those owners who ask to participate, and give them a chance to showcase and evaluate their cars during two special track sessions, a mid-day show, and a street drive.

Here’s How It Will Work
To be eligible, your Mini must be street-licensed and insured, and have a passenger seat and street-legal tires. Those are the only requirements.
We’ll accept the ten that we think will be most interesting to our readers. Those ten will have two 30-minute sessions on the track, one for acclimation and one for evaluation. With this limited number, everyone will have an open track for good lapping opportunities. We’re working with our advertisers to install track data systems in the cars, if possible.
In between the two sessions, the cars will be on display at the track. After the second session in the afternoon, we’ll do a ride-and-drive tour with passengers rotating among the cars to provide feedback on ride comfort. Afterward, all the owners will be polled to find out what they’ve learned from the evaluations and the feedback and pictures of all the cars will be published in one of the summer issues of MC2.
If you’ve modified your Mini for both performance and show, are planning to come to AMVIV, and want to be considered for this unusual event, just email Gary Anderson editor@mc2magazine.com with a brief description of the car and include a jpeg image of your car. All requests for consideration must be received by February 15.
That's just about 50 words and one JPEG image sent to editor@mc2magazine.com. No websites, online photo albums or such please!

MC2 is looking for some feature cars...
They need to be "special" in some way with performance modifications and cosmetic additions. They don't have to be hi-dollar, but they do have to be something that your friends say is unique in the MINI world. This means various aftermarket and performance additions to the base MINI so that it looks, handles and performs better. Yes, we are looking for mainly new MINI features, but what's wrong with a classic MINI feature, especially if it's something really rare or historical!

Send one low-res JPEG image and a short list of modifications to your MINI to editor@mc2magazine.com.
We will get back to you if we start jumping up and down with excitement at having found your MINI, so be patient please...

Announcing Reader's Rides...
If your new or classic MINI isn't the star feature car you want it to be someday, then start by sending editor Gary one JPEG image and 50 to 100 words about your "baby" and we'll see about getting it into our "reader's rides" section. It will likely be 2 pages each issue. And those that don't make it into the pages of MC 2 may just make it into our website's growing assortment of features that are soon to show on a computer near you..

Once again, send the JPEG and words to editor@mc2magazine.com"

So, I thought, what the heck? I sent them an email with a picture of Mary's exterior and interior. Had an email first thing this morning asking me to contact them as soon as I got to Vegas to set up a photo shoot! Woo-hoo!

 

Congrats to you and Mary!!!

 

If there is any car/owner out there that deserves this, it is certainly the pair Mary/Kris!!!! Congrats!!! It is a dream of mine to one day make it onto the cover of a magazine with a car, and hopefully at one point, BLISS will grace the cover of MC2.

I'm very happy for you! This just made MY day too... haha!

Drew

 

Now, I just need to get my two-spoke steering wheel recovered (again). I just called the place that did my seats and they charge $300 (4 hrs. labor). I'm pretty sure that a new one would only be $279, but it wouldn't have fabulous red stitching. Decisions, decisions.....

 

Where is my defribulator?! I think PW27SG nearly died... we were on the bottom of page 3, PAGE 3!!! I'm just messing around. We're all too busy modding and motoring now to bother posting as much. Looks like PW36SG is at our coat-tails with their post count, good for them!

A little news. I'm at 19,500 miles now, and it looks as if I'll hit 20,000 miles on my 6-month anniversary. Wow. Besides that though, next week I hope to order some new wheels and tires and by March I hope to have the suspension kit put on. A custom exhaust is in the works and should be done within the next 2 weeks, and if you check my blog, I recently figured out how to make my own intake for $35. So, the mods are underway for my buddy BLISS and I know he's sure to enjoy them.

Just so you guys know... keep a close eye on your tire pressures, and check them after it's been to the dealership. I think the dealership filled mine to the maximum the tire allows (45psi) last time it was there, and because I didn't think to check it for a while, my tires wore quite unevenly and at 20k miles will be on their way out. I think with proper rotation, proper inflation, and a little less "spirited" motoring than I do, these Perellis would last upwards of 28-35k miles. Good luck with yours!

Drew