Installed the lower rear camber arms that had been sitting in the garage for a year...lol

 

Motored by multiple lines of cars at various gas stations today with only one carrot out on my own fuel gauge. Of course, I do feel a little bad for them since some are in line to fill cans for their generators.

 

It got me to the voting booth.

 

+1

 

we just got back from a 4000km road trip British Columbia, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California and Oregon and back to BC.
Question: had a service 3 weeks before i left and now its due, but the car averaged a speed of 105kph, is it really due? Wouldnt there be less pull through of fuel in the oil, less wear on the motor from constant mid rpm?

Car was awesome, only negative is one stone chip in the windscreen from a truck near the bonneville salt flats

 

He made me worry today. An engine light, which is a first. When I ran through the OBC, the coolant symbol (circle with waves??) was red. I seem to remember everything in yellow last time I was in there. Coolant level under the bonnet was slightly low.

I had someone hook it up and it came up with a code called "timing retard". That's just a bad name no matter how you look at it, but does anyone have any thoughts? He's hanging out at the MINI dealer tonight, but those are two very different issues, aren't they? Thanks for any insight.

 

Do they make blow off vavles for superchargers???????? Anyone???

 

Just had the 15K service done including the temp. sensor recall.

 

My engine light turned out to be an exhaust solenoid that had a brain fart. It was tested and found to be fine - not replaced. Did get the carbon build-up cleaning, an oil change and coolant flush. Not cheap at the dealership...

I suppose everyone knows that an engine light appearing on your dash is only an emissions related issue. Learned my lesson the hard way that I don't have to go rushing him to the emergency room. It's only really an issue if that engine light is flashing...

This would be my version of a Public Service Announcement. Motor on!!

 

Been away from this site for a while, so catching up on stuff. Good to know, Alibie!!

 

Giggles,

Welcome back.

 

Thanks, M!

 

Good to see you back Giggles. I thought I noticed an absence of laughter around here lately...

 

Thanks!

 

Mine got two Noble Firs home today. Can't tell in the pic, but there's TWO trees strapped on

 

She netted me a $25 GC from her dealership for Xmas!!! Now, what to buy?

 

Giggles,
You'll have lots of fun deciding.
Minikins is behaving very well and that makes me smile.

 

How did she net you $25??? I know she's sexy and all, but I hope you're not pimping her out.

 

hahahahahahaha...OMG, that is too funny. No, it was a "Holiday" gift, probably because i purchased the extended maintenance agreement...but that does give me an idea..

 

I have some ideas too. You could look at the A LIFE LESS ORDINARY MINI MOTORINGGEAR 2012 CATALOG. There is some great stuff in there, Like a set of MINI Road Signs. or a MINI bulldog with jacket. or ???????

 

She took me to Toys R Us so I could get some more MINIs. What fun chosing my limit of 2 for today. Next week I will get more.

 

She got me home through some of the thickest slush I've EVER had to drive in, during our last snow, ice, rain storm...

VERY proud of how she handled..

 

Where ever did this thread disappear to.... ?

Well, my MINI made me smile again today. Motored with my eldest daughter to scout out some new places to go for MINIS to the Point 5. Beautiful sunny day and twisty roads - need I say more? The most fun was motoring up to a convertible Straight Cooper. Not only did it have a brown convertible top (I may have seen one of those in my life) but it also sported a full JCW Aero kit. I motored up next to her and she gave me a big grin. Yeah - let's motor people!!!

 

I actually took myself and my 2010 MCS to the track for the first time ever today! I live near Pittsburgh and there is a race track about an hour away in Beaver County that used to be called Beaver Run Raceway and is now currently called Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Here is the link to the event: http://pittrace.com/pde.html

The instructors and other driver's were really nice and down to earth. There were a range of cars from a 2002 MCS, Scion FR-S, Honda S2000, Civic Si, Miatas, Evo 10, STI, Lotus Exige, Evora, Mustang Cobra, Viper, Cayman, GT3 RS, and even a Cayenne. I was really impressed with how my stock Mini handled. The last of my 3 three track sessions I wound up behind the Mustang Cobra. He was able to pull away from me on the staight aways but through the corners it was a different story. I reeled him in real quick and actually had to slow down because he was breaking really early.

I really enjoyed myself today and hope to go back again for the next event at the end of May. If you have anything like this close to you I highly recommend it because you will not be disappointed!

Tom

 

^^^ Nice! I've always wanted to do a track day or an autocross. Just can't find the time right now. Sounds like a blast.