What did you do to your mini today?
#4901
12-01-2011, 05:12 AM
6th Gear
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maryland, USA
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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 
#4902
12-01-2011, 08:57 AM
#4903
12-01-2011, 10:30 AM
6th Gear
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...
#4904
12-01-2011, 10:34 AM
6th Gear
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Robertsdale, Alabama
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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.
#4906
12-01-2011, 12:05 PM
5th Gear
#4907
12-01-2011, 12:15 PM
#4909
12-01-2011, 01:25 PM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Chicago, Illinois
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#4910
12-01-2011, 02:17 PM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: central,Texas
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#4911
12-01-2011, 02:22 PM
Can't wait to see. My hella 500s are on the way. Along with Magnaflow muffler and tips! Boom boom!
#4912
12-01-2011, 03:22 PM
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.
#4914
12-01-2011, 06:03 PM
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.
#4915
12-01-2011, 08:34 PM
I decided to just leave it off and I'm actually liking it. 
#4916
12-01-2011, 08:35 PM
4th Gear
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Mobile, AL
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Wouldn't you be worried about your next emissions check?
#4917
12-01-2011, 08:48 PM
#4920
12-01-2011, 10:47 PM
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!! 
#4922
12-02-2011, 07:54 AM
4th Gear
Thanks!
Chris
#4923
12-02-2011, 08:29 AM
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).
#4924
12-02-2011, 08:59 PM
3rd Gear
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Minneapolis, MN
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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.