Got my car back from the dealer yesterday. The thermostat had failed. But while they had is they also replaced a failed reverse light, changed the oil and the cabin air filter, replaced the antifreeze and brake fluid and tool care of the tailpipe recall that I never went in for. Total cost, $0. All warranty and standard maintenance. Made me happy enough to top 100 on the way home.

 

What was wrong with the tailpipe?

 

They did a voluntary recall to tuck the pipes under the car because there were complaints of burnt legs from the exposed pipes.

 

That's it. I never got it done because I know not to walk into a hot tailpipe. Go figure.

 

I put my new MINI keychain on the key fob. All the stickers I got for Violet for Christmas will have to wait until it warms up a bit.

 

Hey sek! I crossed over your island yesterday and waved. I've got an Actual Size decal on it's way - as long as the MINI's clean, it'll be going on right away!

 

New Mini Keychain Fob, New Mini Travel Mug and Outmotoring Stubby.

 

Albie!

You could have stopped for some coffee!
That's a co-incidence! I ordered an Actual Size sticker this morning. I figure I can put everything on later in the week. After we dig out from this mess we're getting.

 

Put in new floormats and dash trim ... all checkerboard! More pics in my gallery if you'd like to see!

 

Ordered the JCW Alcantara wheel with my money I got from family for christmas!

 

lucky!!! i had to shovel my mini out of 4 feet of snow

 

just for size the windows on the right of the house are about 6 feet off the ground

 

Man, that's a lot of snow.

It never snowed like that when I was a kid, but since the mid '90s, Jersey's gotten a lot of heavy snowstorms.... I'm really glad I live in AZ now! You don't have to shovel sunshine!

Whereabouts in NJ are you? Up north? I have family in the northern part of Ocean County....

C ya,
Dutch

 

im up in maplewood, essex county! in my 10 years of living here ive never ever seen a snow storm this bad! plus the 50mph wind guest' do not help!


im about 15-20 miles out of NYC and i just saw a picture my brother took down in brooklyn. he has a rangerover and the snow is up to his door handles


id do just about anything to get out west now!

 

Finally put the black handle covers on.

Chrome exhaust: Blacked
Door handles: Blacked
Beltline: Blacked
Rearview mirror: Pepper white

Life is sweet

 

Drove it through its first snowstorm.

It's an "03, but has been in Miami all its life until this summer. Now in rural central Mass.

We got our first "real" snowstorm overnight and this morning. I found what they say to be true; Minis are excellent in the snow! And I'm just running a set of Conti Pro Contacts too--no need for winter tires it seems.

 

Installed new Thule roof rack and gave it a wash.

 

welded the turn signal holes shut in my front cover..never liked them there..lol

 

I had visited almost all the US dealers at one point. ( was a hobby as I traveled for a past job ) I would collect stuff from the Dealers with their name on it to show I was there.. then along with that, some of the dealers would give me more stuff.... MINI North Scottsdale did give me lots of stuff over the years also..

 

Thank to all for the compliments,,, My wife and I had the garage added to the house about 2 years ago.. I was designed and built to house the GP. At the time, 2 car garage on the other side of house had our other 2 MINIs in it.. The garage is still a work in progress.. I had got laid off 2weeks before the flooring was to be done, and the lift installed under the GP... ( there is a pit under it to hold a sissor lift ).. There is lots more decorations behide were I was taking the picture from..

 

installed my christmas presents!! aluminum skid plate I painted black. mason eng lower stress bar. cabrio strut tower braces. screaming demon coil pack and wires

 

I dug her out again and threw snow at her by accident. Tested the traction control. Awesome!

 

I installed a BSH oil catch can and Direct dual boost tap.

Dave

 

Installed Vindi's Christmas pressie -- a Whalen shiftknob

 

Drove around in the *rain* , schlepped a carpet cleaning machine to my old apt. and (after a couple hours) back to Home Depot, then drove around in the *rain* some more.

Hey....rain is exciting stuff here in Hell's Forge, AZ....

C ya,
Dutch