What did you do to your mini today?
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 0
From: Maryland, USA
Just yanking yer chain, Rusty. Before I moved to Hell's Forge, I grew up in New Jersey.
I remember once back in '87 coming around Trenton on I-295 just as the rain was turning to slush. I felt the car get a little "squidgy" and eased up on the gas only to have the back end of the car break loose, leaving me rolling at 60 MPH backwards down the interstate. I grinned and waved at the poor guy in the little Toyota pickup who was tailgating me when it happened. He looked like the guy in that famous Munch painting - eyes bugged out and mouth agape in horror
- and I bet he had to change his skivvies when he got home....
C ya,
Dutch
I remember once back in '87 coming around Trenton on I-295 just as the rain was turning to slush. I felt the car get a little "squidgy" and eased up on the gas only to have the back end of the car break loose, leaving me rolling at 60 MPH backwards down the interstate. I grinned and waved at the poor guy in the little Toyota pickup who was tailgating me when it happened. He looked like the guy in that famous Munch painting - eyes bugged out and mouth agape in horror
- and I bet he had to change his skivvies when he got home....C ya,
Dutch
hope all survived that terrifying scenario 
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 15
From: Silly-con Valley
Dutch's story reminded me of a friend's story.
Said friend lived up in the hills, and drove a little pickup truck. He was heading uphill one day, and got stuck behind a blue-haired couple in some old 70s Buick or some such who would not go faster than 15 MPH. Narrow, twisty roads with limited sight-lines make for very few passing opportunities, and he was unable to get around them for a couple of miles.
Finally, they got to a section where my friend could see across one valley to a further section of the same road. He kept an eye on that so he could tell if any traffic was in-bound. There was one spot that had a wide shoulder on the outside, and my friend decided to use that for passing.
Did I mention the shoulder was dirt, not pavement? And that it was on the outside of a blind corner?
So he knows there is no traffic coming, and he gets to the part with the shoulder and pulls off to the side, and guns it. He starts to lose traction, and the back of the truck starts to fishtail to the outside. The road starts curving at this point, and he steers into it and stays on the throttle (to avoid going off the shoulder down into the valley). The truck keeps rotating until its nose points straight at the car, while power-sliding sideways and even accelerating! The blue-hairs had eyes about THIIIIIIIIS BIG.
The road started to straighten out, and the truck stopped rotating. He caught the slide, still accelerating, got pointed the right direction and was off down the road in front of the other car.
He said that it scared the crap out of him at the time, but it sure is a good story to tell years later...
Said friend lived up in the hills, and drove a little pickup truck. He was heading uphill one day, and got stuck behind a blue-haired couple in some old 70s Buick or some such who would not go faster than 15 MPH. Narrow, twisty roads with limited sight-lines make for very few passing opportunities, and he was unable to get around them for a couple of miles.
Finally, they got to a section where my friend could see across one valley to a further section of the same road. He kept an eye on that so he could tell if any traffic was in-bound. There was one spot that had a wide shoulder on the outside, and my friend decided to use that for passing.
Did I mention the shoulder was dirt, not pavement? And that it was on the outside of a blind corner?
So he knows there is no traffic coming, and he gets to the part with the shoulder and pulls off to the side, and guns it. He starts to lose traction, and the back of the truck starts to fishtail to the outside. The road starts curving at this point, and he steers into it and stays on the throttle (to avoid going off the shoulder down into the valley). The truck keeps rotating until its nose points straight at the car, while power-sliding sideways and even accelerating! The blue-hairs had eyes about THIIIIIIIIS BIG.
The road started to straighten out, and the truck stopped rotating. He caught the slide, still accelerating, got pointed the right direction and was off down the road in front of the other car.
He said that it scared the crap out of him at the time, but it sure is a good story to tell years later...
6th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,961
Likes: 0
From: Robertsdale, Alabama
Guess I should say, what my Mini did for me today. Took a little road trip to Mini of Pensacola to see my friends in the sales and service department. While I was there I did pick up a gallon of anti-freeze. $29.17 per gallon, they must think this stuff is gold. Oh well. Don't need it right now but like to have some mixed up at 50/50 just in case.
Anyway, enjoyable ride and nice to get the little s___t out on the highway once and awhile.
Anyway, enjoyable ride and nice to get the little s___t out on the highway once and awhile.
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 112
From: Mount Doom, Mordor
History does not relate about the poor Toyota guy's skivvies....
C ya,
Dutch
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Ordered my rear seat delete with grommets, some replacement clips and plugs for all the broken ones, power steering fan guard and new trunk handle since the license plate light contacts on mine are all sorts of corroded.
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
Installed NGK BKR7E #4644 V-Power plugs this morning before work. .035 gap
Probably going to close the gap to .030 or .032 though... just a hunch but already runs smoother than the JCW (BKR7EQUP) #4285 that had been in there!
Probably going to close the gap to .030 or .032 though... just a hunch but already runs smoother than the JCW (BKR7EQUP) #4285 that had been in there!
3rd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: central,Texas
Installed my driving light brackets i got from VIP customs and they fit perfect. The quality of these brackets is first class. Tomorrow i am going to install the PIAA 540 lights. It's amazing how simple an install is when you have the correct parts...
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
Can't wait to see. My hella 500s are on the way. Along with Magnaflow muffler and tips! Boom boom!
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 2
Ugh that happened on my previous non-MINI car... rear licence lights corroded every one to two years. I found replacing the light module and putting dialectic grease (like for spark plugs) around the interior side would help. Not sure if MINIs are so prone to this issue though.
2nd Gear
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Ugh that happened on my previous non-MINI car... rear licence lights corroded every one to two years. I found replacing the light module and putting dialectic grease (like for spark plugs) around the interior side would help. Not sure if MINIs are so prone to this issue though.
got an ALTA stealth catback exhaust and had it installed today...liking the sound, and of course, car feels better than stock. the muffler shop I took it to accidentally or stupidly cut from where the cat began 
I decided to just leave it off and I'm actually liking it. 
I decided to just leave it off and I'm actually liking it.
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
From: Mobile, AL
Wouldn't you be worried about your next emissions check?
Not really. I have a place to take it to and I kept the cat so I can always have it put back on.
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,461
Likes: 1
From: Vancouver, WA
Got my Light in Sight (finally decided my neck needed a break) and after re-reading the instructions figured out the SMOOTH side goes against the windshield (sometimes I'm a bit of a dummy). Anyways, I am a happy motorer who can now see the traffic lights when I pull up nearly under neath them!
I'm not sure who is smarter the Light in Sight, or the piece of paper the instructions were printed on...it certainly wasn't ME!! 
4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Thanks!
Chris
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 2
Ordered lumbar parts to retrofit on my leatherette seats. Can't wait but nervous about the install
Finally washing the car tonight for the first time. Weather is clearing up and power washer is fixed. I have thick brake dust on the rims and I have brake dust sprayed all along the front fender and front doors!
I started noticing how many factory cars have 'fake' exhaust tips these days. Little pee shooter exhaust tips with massive chrome shaped things attached to the bumpers. The I realized another positive of the factory JCW, you get big fat tips whereas the JCW kit get a sort of exhaust finisher.
I wonder if most people even notice this sort of thing since they sit so high up in their cars (or they are too busy texting, putting on makeup, etc).
Finally washing the car tonight for the first time. Weather is clearing up and power washer is fixed. I have thick brake dust on the rims and I have brake dust sprayed all along the front fender and front doors!
I started noticing how many factory cars have 'fake' exhaust tips these days. Little pee shooter exhaust tips with massive chrome shaped things attached to the bumpers. The I realized another positive of the factory JCW, you get big fat tips whereas the JCW kit get a sort of exhaust finisher.
I wonder if most people even notice this sort of thing since they sit so high up in their cars (or they are too busy texting, putting on makeup, etc).
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis, MN
Got the paint sealed and heavy waxed for winter at a local euro exotics shop. While waiting, got to gawk at Ferraris and Lambos and Bentleys and Jags and Aston Martins, etc... yet my Coupe got the most attention from the staff.
They also informed me that they do car washes all winter. All by hand, no high pressure or machines, fresh mitts/towels on each car... I HAVE FOUND MY PEOPLE.
They also informed me that they do car washes all winter. All by hand, no high pressure or machines, fresh mitts/towels on each car... I HAVE FOUND MY PEOPLE.