thanks for sharing all the pix...there are some really good ones in the mix.

 

Yep, the addition of the convenience package and run-flats didn't eliminate the spare tire.

 

great pics of everyone's cars! I just can't get over how high up Ambrosia is compared to the R53s....she looks like a little 4x4 from the back! I'll have to fix that one of these days

 

selling your R56? so soon??

 

Make sure you let us know what you end up doing. I'm thinking the same way you are and I would like to see, first hand, how yours turns out. Good luck and R56 fo life!!

 

Where can we get a copy of the route sheet?

 

You get a copy when you submit the driver's waiver on the day of the run.

Based upon yesterday's run, I am going to be making a few more revisions for the next run, which will result in the "final" version. The revisions won't really change the route, just better document things like the mid-afternoon stop at the general store.

In future years, I only plan on doing the Spring Fling once, not twice... so the "Naked" version will probably be the one we base future years from.

 

Will do....I am already looking at my options but unfortunately will not have the funds to do anything about it for a while. Whichever route I go, I don't plan on dropping it any more than a little over an inch or so, so it won't be as dramatic as it could be but I also don't want to make my daily driver impractical, especially as I am not the most patient or careful person on earth.

I'll be enlisting the help of my bf who is very generous in helping me plan out and slowly accomplish my mods to little Ambrosia. I know he has a soft spot for her though, esp since he is the one that talked me into considering a MINI in the first place. However, now it is my turn to talk him into getting a MINI (he is a Mk1 VW guy - an '84 GTI is his project baby), although he is definitely looking into going the used R53 route...which I can totally understand. I see the benefits to both the R53 and R56 but I just didn't want a used car and liked the styling of the R56 better (gasp!!)

 

'twas me

no rush, it'll find its way back someday

 

yep, funds. that seems to be a common problem, at least with me. we need to get all the r56 owners together for a brainstorming session, and to see what people already have done and how it turned out. just a thought.

and i'm also torn between raw performance and drivability, since this is my daily driver as well. plus i have plans (at least now) a few years from to buy a motorcycle and/or elise. of course, the elise depends of if i get a raise and how much it is, and also how much they depreciate between now and then, but a guy can hope right? so im thinking, why mod the hell out of this car? why not just do a few cool things, and then get the motorcycle/lotus, which is on a whole different level? so im not sure what i want to do. but we should all get together and talk about mods etc. maybe this sunday or next sunday.

 

money, or lack thereof, is the age-old problem when trying to do anything, especially anything with a car...lol. I think it is a good idea to see what has worked for other r56 owners...I'm just not sure how many there are in this area. That's why for now most of my research is just coming from NAM and my very creative and handy car friends. I will be more than happy to share my experience and any knowledge gained when I start this project. I'll even share my driveway if people want to get together and watch the install (I say driveway because I don't have a garage...but heck, you don't NEED a garage, especially from what I've seen my bf and buddies manage to accomplish without one...it just makes life easier!)

 

there are more than i thought in the club, but im not sure how many have started modding. ill be sure to ask around on sunday.

 

a gal can hope too...it is natural that any small and pure car loving person wants an elise. I see a few driving around the Bethesda area some mornings and just have to drool...of course you do NEED a garage when you have one of those! I definitely won't be getting one of those anytime soon either. Which brings me back to making the best out of what I have on a limited budget. I'm with you when you say do some reasonable mods...personalize the car so that it feels right to you. But that is only because I can't imagine turning my only car into a full project car. I need the thing to be running on Monday morning so I can get to work! Anyway, I'm still learning and getting into all this and seeing what it actually involves when you start taking apart a car (although my love for cars and curiosity has always been there).

There is another run this Sunday...maybe some of us can chat about it then?

 

whew. i was worried there was something wrong with me.

That's the plan.

 

I've had my TPMS go off twice.

Once, no idea why except my nephew and I were putting Buddha through his paces out near Warrenton with the DSC off and we heated up the tires pretty good. Hit the reset and checked the tires and it never came on again. *shrug*

The other time, we were on our way to the Outer Banks (Buddha wanted to chase some seagulls and do some Dolphin watching) and I heard a noise. Sounded almost like a bearing, when the TPMS went off. We stopped, checked the pressure and it was good. We proceeded another 5 miles when we decided we really needed to find out what that noise was. I could feel it in the steering wheel.

We had rotated Buddha's tires 2 days earlier and hubby and I both thought the other had done the final torquing on the LF. *ahem* Apparently not.

So it turns out loose lug nuts will also set it off.

 

I didn't get a copy when I signed the waiver. Can you post it or send it to me?

 

Here are some pics from the Fling....

The gathering at Wegmans



MINIs invade the Safway Parking Lot in Middleburg. Someone was trying to detail his car in the rain .... he soon gave up!


The MINI Invasion prepares to leave Middleburg... We may be gone but not forgotten!



Our Fearless Leader...



The Whole Shebang Leaving Griffin Tavern...

 

I think the lady at the store in the last picture really wanted us to come check out the store

 

Flat tire from Sunday here -
I just want to say THANKS to everyone who helped change my flat tire on yesterday's run! I didn't get all your names, but I'm not surprised Mini drivers are so friendly- and handy!

Hopefully, I'll get my nerve to do another run in the future!

Claire

 

Sure hope you do! We'd love to have you join us again

 

Oops ! I guess I got my story mixed up

Still surprised a few pounds makes a difference since I've never seen it on Wensley and I know the tires have been a bit off. Maybe they don't have a good tolerance when they calibrate ?

Sorry you guys missed out, it was fun, man Wensley was totally dirty ! Run hard and put away wet ! (We did run her through the touch free though)

Mike

 

Glad to see Edge on the road again.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. They're all awesome.

I'm so missed the run, I'm clearing all the my schedule and ready for the 20th.

Maxi is ready for the twisties.

 

This route (or one similar) would also be awesome for a fall foliage run...

 

heehee, you're very welcome tiger wish i could have been there, the pictures make me jealous
i say we pick my house up and have it transported to VA on the scenic road

I'd eat Shephard's pie that often too! in fact i wouldn't even eat it all and Haemish would finish it off for me (again) heehee

 

All of these photos are AWESOME!!!

I can't wait for the 20th. I know all of you had fun.