Got a rude awakening from a loud BOOM! early am.

thunder struck nearby and kicked out power. the only thing I could make this am was coffee...

Atleast no electical surge came running inside the house blowing up my music gear and wife's computers. That wouldve sucked greatly...

my G is still clean and fresh inside the garage.

Going to check my breaker to see if that didn't get tripped at all...

 

got power back and everything is back to normal.

im glad my hagdaz did not melt too much inside the freezer. power was down about 2hrs so not bad.

think im going to make me some tonkatsu this week.

 

gotz my tracking info for the new side marker for my G. shall have them installed by Wed.

happy bday to my G! she is 5yrs old today. she looks brand new inside and out...

 

Blimey- how's the drumming coming along?

Kinda cool that you don't need to get earplugs while your kids are rocking away, huh?


I think I'm going to get some Endless brake pads next time around for my Brembo's.

 

Happy birthday to Ken's G!

The MINI is still dusty. He'll get a bath on Thurs.. I swear. The only car-related thing I did today was check the air in his tires. I dropped one of the valve stem caps when I was checking the driver's side rear tire and when I went to look for it I fell face forward into the tire. Gross. That's what happens when you're super clumsy. Ended up with a huge dirt smear on my forehead.

 

Thanx, leslie! I gave my G a big hug. well, actually I didn't cause I didn't want to scratch the finish.

hey at least you checked the tire pressure! That is one of the most important items to check on a car.

I don't know the last time my wife even bothered to check. which reminds me, I should check the psi on my dd's.

Shall do that tomorrow am.

 

I just got back checking the brake pad thickness on the G. It's at about 40% left. Its like it can probably last one more season with pad to spare.

I'm not sure now if I should change it or just let it be. I'm thinking about getting a 370Z (6MT) next season... Hmmmmmmmm

 

Hi guys!

I spiffed the MINI up for a trip to the dealer (to get the coolant flushed). Then it rained and just got all dirty again.

 

ofioliti- dang, i hate it when that happens! one of the reasons why i hate taking my car to the dealer cause the appointment date can change to rain...

but i guess you wont have to deal with the coolant for another 4yrs. ive done drain and fill on other cars but had the dealer do the MCS complete flush cause the coolant was completely brown on mine when i had it. not sure wat that was. never seen it before.

 

Yeah, I've lived with the brown coolant for a while now.

Now, it is a nice clear blue.

(Let's see how long that lasts. )

 

ofioliti- after the dealer did the full flush the coolant was nice and relatively clear for the 2yrs afterwards.



nnnnnn... so wat do you guys feel about this: 370Z vs S2000CR

370Z - ample power for street but that stupid auto-rev match for newbs and donkies during downshifts that comes with the sport package im not too thrilled about. hell, if you can't heel and toe you shouldnt be driving MT. i know that you can shut it off, but i dont want that on any sports coupe.

S2000CR - local dealer has a black 08 (it's still new...just hasn't sold). im sure i can get it about $5K less than a new 370Z with sports package. i like the fact that it's a pure sports car and it being a 4banger it'll take some skill to keep it going as fast as the newer V6 coupes...not that im racing anyone. plus ample solid mods available aftermarket including turbo.

hummmmmmmmm....

 

thanks for all the inputs about the 370Z vs S2KCR.

im pretty sure im going with the 370Z regardless of the auto-rev match feature for newbs and donkies.

anyway... i just ordered the Endless brake pads and shall be here in a few weeks. as usual i tossed in the order for a factory oil filter/crush washer, and this nismo shift pattern plate (decal) i wanted for a while. im using an aftermarket **** so lost the gear pattern thingie...not that i'd forget where the gates are, but i just like to have it mounted on the shifter trim.

 

Sorry, I'm no help. Don't really no much about them except that they are both neat-looking cars. (But not as neat as the MINI ... )

 

yah, that's kinda true though.

i saw a dark blue clubman the other day with black roof. looked great. for a split second i was like wooo~ but then recalled all the headache i had with the dealer doing warranty work and was like

 

Dang it, went to honda to pickup refills for my wipers... Forgot to use their coupon.

But I need to get a set for my other FitSW, so shall use it then.

 

Just catching up in the thread. Saw your close encounter with a lightning bolt yesterday morning, Ken. Glad it didn't hit your house or come in through your electric lines.

When I was stationed on Guam, an unexpected bolt of lightning hit the tree in my yard, traveled throught the electric lines, blew out the computer and all the accessories, including the surge protector, and singed the hair on my arms (I was chatting on a message board at the time).

Needless to say, I have a healthy respect for thunderstorms these days.

And Ken... one vote for the Z-car. Much better looking and I'm betting it's more fun to drive.

 

CR&PW&JB- dang, that sounds crazy!!! yah, i think next time i might want to unplug my gear when it gets that bad. i didnt know it was so close though cause i was asleep...

the lightening struck a power line about a block away from my house. there was several power crew from comed working diligently above and below the street. thanks to them my hagdaz did not melt all the way into a syrup. i was about to eat the whole thing if they didnt come fix it within the next hr.

yah, i too think the 370Z is the way to go for me too. ideally
i want to get it before selling off the G so that i can be certain i like the
car. would suck if i sold the G and later find out i like the G better... i will
probably not find another 2004 with brembo's in this condition!

 

Wow ken... those are two pretty DIFFERENT cars.... you must have multiple personality disorder to be considering both of them...

I'd go with the S2000... but I'd recommend YOU go with the 370Z.... diff'rnt strokes.

 

But you KNOW you really want another MINI

Mark

 

yah, they are different but both being RWD 2 seaters i thought i could classify them in the same 'fun car for the normal folks' category.

hey wait a minute, we dont fit either profile.


actually the clubman i saw zooming by the other day was real nice. it was in my color scheme too. just cant get over the dealer warranty headache i had with my R53.
if i could i would trade the FitS for the clubman and keep the G.

 

Now your talking We are very happy with our Clubman, and our local dealer always treats us right. Maybe you should come down here and get one

Mark

 

there's also another side...i kinda promised my wife that i'll keep the FitS at least 5yrs or 30K miles so im not sure how im going to explain that part to her... (im at 1.5yrs 13k miles).

 

Admit you made a mistake

Mark

 

JCW Clubman, lowered, FTW.

 

Washed, Clarity'd, BW'd, spot clayed (probably should've just done the entire MINI since it's been about 3 months since the last major clay) and I'm currently waiting for Epic to cure. I'm kicking around doing a second layer but I think the sun will probably be out within the next hour.

Oh and I also did quite possibly the world's lamest wheel wash ever. I pretty much just sprayed the wheels with water cuz I wasn't feeling up to a thorough wheel cleaning. I also need my tires to be rotated but I'll have Dave do that.