Did you mention earlier that you were planning to take part in "MITM 2009"?
I hope to see you again - even if I'm still driving my old, very experienced, 1st Generation MINI.

Cheri0 and Husband Pat will be there from Canton Michigan
and that 1der Babe from Casper, Wyoming is including MITM in her Summer Travels.

I'm looking forward to it - but, haven't done a thing to plan or prepare. I think I'll just have to set my Garmin for "shortest time" - and turn when the lady says, "turn".

 

Some of you may remember hearing me brag that the First Repair on my 2002 MINI Cooper was
Rear Brake Pads and Rotors at 186,000 miles. "Not bad", I thought. "Most cars have been thrown away by then".

Well, - It just happened again - and I had to repeat the whole thing at 371,000 miles.
But, if you do the arithmetic, "It's Time". Things seem to be wearing out right about on schedule.

Oh - I also needed one new Rear Brake Caliper this time. Sure it was expensive, but, the Good News is that
if You sell your old MINI at 300,000 or 350,000 miles, you may never need one of those!
First part I've needed that my Dealer didn't have in stock. "We just haven't replaced many of those."

 

A rear brake caliper at 371,000... seems reasonable to me.

 

WOW, that's great!!! Means I should have at least another couple hundred K miles left in my 03

Mark

 

Might as well replace all of them so that you won't have to worry about them later.

 

Wow that is one well motored Mini!!

 

I saw it the line for a couple of the MITM drives--totally missed Harold, though. And I was really looking forward to meeting you!

 

There's an awful lot of not-much-of-anything between here and the mountains.
But, if there's a "MINIs In The Mountains - 2010", I'll probably be there.

 

Might go, but I think we're heading another direction that month...

 

Usually, I'd agree.
But, when I heard the price of One Caliper,
I lost all interest in replacing
#2, #3, or #4 till they 'break'.

 

You bring the true meaning to the saying "Let's Motor"

Some families don't rack up that many miles on their motorhome.

 

Do you drive your car on public roads or just on the dyno?

 

I've clocked over 400k on all three of my MINI's since '03 the most on my '05 MCS at 158k. All without any mechanical problems. I currently have 100k on my 07. Anything's possible with a MINI.

 

I have only one car, so this MINI's on real roads almost every day of the year.
Nokia Snow Tires from about Thanksgiving till Easter keep it moving all winter.
I've been totally retired for 14 years since I turned 70, and love to drive; -
so, most of those MINI miles have just been for 'fun and foolishness'.

 

No such thing as "fun and foolishness" when you have a MINI! They're called "fun drives," and we just finished one a couple of hours ago...

 

Leaving tomorrow to visit 2 daughters on different islands in Hawaii.
I know: - Vacations are nice - Hawaii is nice - and Daughters are nice.
But, I already know I'll miss driving 'anywhere' and 'anytime' I wish.

 

So rent! Be sure to drive the highway to Hana if you'll be on Maui.

 

Sorry for my Absence and my Silence - but, I've been busy getting a 'different engine' - and then putting over 4500 miles on it in the last 3 weeks just to see if they did it right. Everything is behaving perfectly again! Not a Drip or a Leak or a Rattle or a Squeak that needs attention. Every Switch, Light Bulb, Window, and Door Lock - plus the Sun Roof, Air Conditioner, etc.. are all operating as nicely as their creators intended. I had a 2010 BMW 328xi 'loaner' with just 3300 miles for several weeks. That's a very nice car; - but, honestly, my MINI's steering and handling with its original suspension are still as solid, taut and precise as that loaner. I'm an old retired engineer, so, I'm constantly amazed at what BMW has accomplished with this design!

At 370,000 miles I paid International MINI of Milwaukee for a 'Valve Job' to cure Low Compression in one cylinder that had caused Misfiring which made the "Check Engine Soon" light come on. The Dealer said that repair, including four Valves, Valve Seats and Guides was guaranteed for 2 years or 100,000 miles. It ran like a new engine for 1500 miles - then literally 'totaled' itself at 72 mph when one of the new valve seats 'came loose' - stood on edge - blocked the valve - which broke thru the top of the piston - etc., etc. The off-site vendor who machined the head as necessary to install those valve seats and guides took full responsibility for the failure, acquired a replacement engine with about 320,000 fewer miles than mine, - and International MINI took care of all the labor - all at no charge to me. You can understand why I say nice things about this Dealership - and why they're as proud of this MINI as I am.

Me buy a New Car? Why? This is really getting to be FUN! Just think, - if I was a more normal, sensible, conservative owner who traded his car every 80,000 miles - I'd be on my Fifth MINI by now! Can you imagine what that would have cost?

 

Congratulations on your "new" engine! Guess you're set for another quarter of a million miles or so, right?

Are you planning to go to MITM this year? Or to Merry MINIs on the Mountain in Arkansas in October? I'm still dying to meet ya!

 

Oops--an accidental double post!

 

You do know Mr. hStanfield (respectfully of course) that the MINIs Odometer only has 6 Digits!!

 

Congrats on the new engine. Here's to another 300k!

 

True, but a dab of white paint'll solve that...

 

I can see you guys all have the 'Right MINI Spirit' !
Thank goodness you don't have all the free time I have,
or I'd have to be watching for you in my rear view mirror.

 

Mr. Hstanfield.

I salute you Sir. An engineer to engineer. Keep on Motoring. You are an inspiration. I hope I get to shake your hands someday somewhere.... some Mini meet. I will be on the lookout.