Can a MINI do it?
5th Gear
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: San Diego County, California
I have little happy tears in my eyes reading this thread, Harold. (((hug))) You are such an inspiration, and your good words and your gentle self come through so clearly. Congratulations on your mileage, on your beautiful MINI, and on your continuing happiness.
Love from Joanie and Winnie the MINI
Love from Joanie and Winnie the MINI
Congratulations on your milestone, may you, your Mini and your New Bride enjoy many many more miles of 
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 4
From: Milwaukee, WI
HStanfield's 2002 MINI Passes 600.000 Miles
Wow! I haven't been here for a Long, Long Time - like 32 months!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
Wow! I haven't been here for a Long, Long Time - like 32 months!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
You signed my MINI Takes the States poster.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: Wyoming
hstanfield -
It was wonderful to see your update!
I’m far, far behind you.
About to reach 90K miles. Other than the fairly common “water pump thermostat” issue all I’ve done is routine maintenance. New brake pads about a year and half ago. Replaced the original battery a couple of months ago just shy of 10 years old.
I’ve never owned a car this long. Keep wondering if I should start thinking about a new one. Then I read your posts and think I’m crazy for even considering doing such a thing. My car is fine. Everything works - and I still enjoy it.
Keep us updated and - Keep on motoring!
It was wonderful to see your update!
I’m far, far behind you.
About to reach 90K miles. Other than the fairly common “water pump thermostat” issue all I’ve done is routine maintenance. New brake pads about a year and half ago. Replaced the original battery a couple of months ago just shy of 10 years old.
I’ve never owned a car this long. Keep wondering if I should start thinking about a new one. Then I read your posts and think I’m crazy for even considering doing such a thing. My car is fine. Everything works - and I still enjoy it.
Keep us updated and - Keep on motoring!
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 5
From: Hot Springs Village, AR
Wow! I haven't been here for a Long, Long Time - like 32 months!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
Well, I'm 90 now, my car is 14, and my bride of 3+ years probably wouldn't want me to tell you her age. I can't remember when I was that age - but, "it must have been a very good year".
Last Sunday was a beautiful, sunny, Spring day - and Mother's Day besides. So, we did take about a 250 mile ride through Wisconsin's countryside. The trees were getting brand new leaves - the fields were being prepared for planting - and the roadside where we stopped to photograph the odometer at 600,000 miles had a good crop of dandelions. The sunroof was open for much of the ride - and the heater worked perfectly on the way home.
That word about the heater was especially enjoyable because, for much of its 14th cold winter, that otherwise-perfect 'climate control system' had blown COLD! The heated seats kept a few of my external parts from freezing - but, hey, at age 90 there are other parts just as important. A couple previous 'fixes' didn't - but, finally I said, "Forget the heater, just fix the leak." (That leak was new and had eventually required coolant to be added about every 150 miles.) They replaced the water pump and that cured the leak - and everything else! Those water pumps are expensive - but, now we know they last almost 600,000 miles if you wait long enough to see.
Otherwise, life is good - and the original muffler, starter, shocks, struts, and lots of other things are still working as intended. If people ask "How long do those MINIs last?", tell them HWS will be buying 4 new expensive tires later this week!
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 84
Likes: 4
From: Milwaukee, WI
Yes, ECSTuning, I DO Remember!
It's always a pleasure to park next to a beautiful car
You Just Know will not slam its door into yours!
Your car still looks like it did when all of us were a lot younger -
and at 263,000 miles I can tell you've not just enjoyed polishing
yours in the garage between concours showings!
It's been Fun!
That Poster of yours was a great idea - and I'm sure you still have it.
My memories of that event at Elkhart Lake also include:
1. Serving as "Flagman" to wave hundreds of MINIs onto the
Road America track; - I got to see and wave at every one
as they 'blasted off' for a couple laps of that beautiful track.
2. A live interview on the "White Roof Radio Network" by a man I met
once more at a later MTTS gathering in Colorado.
3. Receiving a trophy and a Garmin GPS for "Highest MINI Miles" from
Jim McDowell, the renowned but now retired VP of MINI of the Americas.
Earlier that day, one of the young ladies from Jim's office took me to
meet him for the first time. Jim had just emerged dripping wet,
smiling ear-to-ear, from the 'dunk tank' - dropped into that chest-deep
water by an employee who'd never had more fun.
(I was in corporate management of a large company, knew many
managers from other companies, but never knew one as genuinely
respected and loved by his own staff as Jim McDowell! I wish him well!)
It was good to hear from you again, 'ECS' - and I'll keep watching
to see if you're gaining on me.
HWS
You Just Know will not slam its door into yours!
Your car still looks like it did when all of us were a lot younger -
and at 263,000 miles I can tell you've not just enjoyed polishing
yours in the garage between concours showings!
It's been Fun!
That Poster of yours was a great idea - and I'm sure you still have it.
My memories of that event at Elkhart Lake also include:
1. Serving as "Flagman" to wave hundreds of MINIs onto the
Road America track; - I got to see and wave at every one
as they 'blasted off' for a couple laps of that beautiful track.
2. A live interview on the "White Roof Radio Network" by a man I met
once more at a later MTTS gathering in Colorado.
3. Receiving a trophy and a Garmin GPS for "Highest MINI Miles" from
Jim McDowell, the renowned but now retired VP of MINI of the Americas.
Earlier that day, one of the young ladies from Jim's office took me to
meet him for the first time. Jim had just emerged dripping wet,
smiling ear-to-ear, from the 'dunk tank' - dropped into that chest-deep
water by an employee who'd never had more fun.
(I was in corporate management of a large company, knew many
managers from other companies, but never knew one as genuinely
respected and loved by his own staff as Jim McDowell! I wish him well!)
It was good to hear from you again, 'ECS' - and I'll keep watching
to see if you're gaining on me.
HWS
Yes,
And thanks, my Name is Mike .
Thats was a very fun day and the dealership part was great also. I remember going onto the track and yourself waving us on. Something I will never forget.
Yep I still have the R52 MINI Convertible and she is going strong, as well as a 2012 MINI Coupe JCW as the garage mate.
I hope to have people sign the poster again this year as I have done every MTTS fro 2006+, are you going this year ?
I still have a copy of them, the others went to MINI HQ.
Happy motoring.
And thanks, my Name is Mike .
Thats was a very fun day and the dealership part was great also. I remember going onto the track and yourself waving us on. Something I will never forget.
Yep I still have the R52 MINI Convertible and she is going strong, as well as a 2012 MINI Coupe JCW as the garage mate.
I hope to have people sign the poster again this year as I have done every MTTS fro 2006+, are you going this year ?
I still have a copy of them, the others went to MINI HQ.
Happy motoring.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
Sorry to hear this, I just saw this, he was a great guy and I really liked talking to him.
__________________
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
MINI Guru/ MINI Owner Since 2004 | NEW Lifetime Part Replacement | Local Pickup
Milltek | Genuine MINI | Forge Motorsport | NM Engineering | ECS Performance | M7 Speed
Customer Service Hours: 8am-8pm EST|Sales Team Hours: 8am-11pm | SAT 10am-7pm 800.924.5172
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