hahaha I remember that feeling! Geez, that was August of 2004... eek!

 

The only problem is, now I'm second-guessing if I should have added the piano black finish inside, the anthracite headliner, and the cornering headlights. >.<

I've gotta get out of my head until I can actually sit in it.

 

Remember that feeling also. And checking on the the W&W shipping site.

 

Yup, I document each and every stage of production. Screenshots of this and that... screenshots of the ship crossing the Atlantic by its call sign.

It was cool to watch. Wife was not as impressed but that is the way it goes...

 

Yes, screen shot the W&W ship at the port web cam and the screen shot from the Map. lol

 

Yup!

Not sure how it is now... but there was only a single MINI dealership in Arizona at the time and they did not charge OVER MSRP. So everyone and their cousin ordered from MINI of North Scottsdale. Including everyone from California since CA dealerships were price gouging with offensive premiums. So that equated to a 13-month wait time in AZ. So I ordered out of San Antonio, the closest location I could find that only charged the MSRP.

Crazy times...

 

Today I.... blew a hole in the side of my transmission

Who can tell me if a 6 speed from a 2011 Clubman S will fit a 2005 R50? Looking for any and all help at this point.

 

~ 04 and 05 you had an extra wait time and had to fight for a production spot on top of finding someone who sold at MSRP.

Knew about North Scottsdale, some MINI dealers on the east coast were selling new to LV and NS locations to feed demand. Heard of used car places buying new from east coast MINI dealers and then putting on front corner of a Ford or Chevy dealers and marking it up.

Had the one of the first HO Cooper Convertibles in the states ( not a demo ) , one person offered to buy it off me, I turned them down.

Those were the days...

 

Got the ol split coolant reservoir tank and replaced it with this. Canton. Very happy.

 

Damn that thing looks clean, SWEET!

 

So over the upcoming winter break, I plan on doing some preventative work on the MINI. I am off work for 2 weeks each year so I try to come up with a constructive way to spend my time.

Replace the radiator, upper/lower hoses, replace fluid, replace thermostat and housing, oil pan gasket, dip stick o-ring and CPS o-ring. I like replacing items on MY time as opposed to having them go and it turns into a scramble.

I typically cruise over various sites looking for price drops or sales. The radiator I am hunting for is $120-122 at each website I go to... Fine...

Hit Amazon the other day and they add the radiator model I am looking for at $60 shipped. Whoa! Anyway, that is now in the garage waiting for the other parts to accumulate. I am a happy camper. Time to move forward on the other pieces. This is an aftermarket radiator but I have had one on my CRX Si for years now with zero issues.

If I have the time, I want to move forward with the lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints and power steering lines as well! Might as well while I am under the car, right? After that, I would like to grab a set of springs, Koni Yellows and a beefier rear swaybar to make things more interesting.

Edit: Looked on Amazon today to show a buddy and the price is now up to $139.58 for the radiator. Glad I found this error and was able to order one.

 

Checked the MINI Owners Lounge and called 1.866.ASK.MINI... she's in production and has an expected finish date of September 3rd. That means there's a good possibility that we'll have her for our anniversary on September 25th.

 

That's mah birf-day! Although it seems I'll be spending it without a Coop

 

Heh. I even took screen-shots of the delivery ship going through the Panama Canal...

 

Nice! That would be cool to witness as your car is coming through...

 

Added M7 strut bar to my R60 all4

 

Very cool, I was lucky to have a video of Mine being built in Oxford late 2004 , was one of the 500 to get three videos of the production part of a pilot program that was never used by MINI corporate or by MINIUSA.

 

It's stashed in my "members gallery" here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/g/picture/3798001

 

I have my R52 out today, going to a car show after work doing a little showing off... to bad I haven't cleaned it lately.

oh, well...

Motor on!

 

M7 Speed water temp gauge kit installed.

 

I didn't know they had that but I need one, looks good!

Checked all fluids, tire levels, and topped off windshield fluid, and reoiled my Alta CAI yesterday night. Now just need to make an appt for tires. 132k now

 

I used it to bring my wife home from the Kia dealership, where her Sorento is spending the day getting serviced.

Don't get me wrong -- I like the Sorento -- but the looks I get when I drive into the Kia dealership in a MINI with the exhaust popping & burbling are priceless.

 

I did it!...First I deleted the turbo side resonator, than today the exhaust resonator = nicer tone...and waiting to hear snaps, crackles!!


d pops!

 

Nice shot on the rack.

 

Tinted the windows today. Much needed here in the Houston heat. And it looks complete now. Yay!