Happy thanksgiving to all my friends.

 

Happy Thanksgiving, all ! Hope everyone had a day of good times with family and friends and some great food. We had our big meal nearly four hours ago and I'm still stuffed.

 

Happy Thanksgiving.. Ha Ha im stuffed ..lol.. cheers everyone! burrrrp!

 

A lot of burbling and popping going on here ... And it's not the car.

Happy Holidays, everyone! 🎅🎄🎁

 

Ha Ha Spa I was waiting for someone to mention that lol.. honk honk..

 

+1

 

Had some time yesterday to install the NM SSK and cover. Still working out the best way to get the car on jack stands without damaging the aero skirts so I only had the front on ramps. I had just barely enough room to crawl underneath the car. Anyhow, it is on and I'm loving the short shifter now.

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I have that same SS and cover and love it. Only three mods I have is the NM SS, the NM rear sway bar and the DRL's. I'm done

 

Is the SS an easy install for someone with zero qualifications? Any special tools needed! Seems like a great mod!

 

I used my mechanic and paid $135 labor.
You need to drop exhaust and remove heat shielding. No way I would attempt on my own.

 

You had me at 'drop the exhaust'...LOL.

 

Lol

 

It's not really that hard with the right tools. The biggest PITA is getting the vband clamp on/off from the downpipe IMO. I'd say if you are handy enough to change your oil, you should be able to handle it.

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Probably easier for me to take it somewhere since I have no tools. Would it be better to take it to a MINI mechanic or can I go anywhere? I don't have a certified MINI mechanic (other than a dealer) anywhere close.

 

I would think that any mechanic or muffler shop along with a printout of the instructions from NM website would be able to do it.

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Yup. This is not a DIY unless you are mechanically inclined. Print the instructions and find a mechanic. I was just lucky because I have a MINI mechanic close by.

 

I also like the fact that my hand doesn't bump into drinks in the cup holders anymore with the SS installed.

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Lol, that's funny!!

 

Have you even asked your dealer about installation? Mine's really good about installing aftermarket parts at very fair prices, and the techs know what they're doing because they've been practicing on servicing other customers' cars for so long. They like the fun (and sometimes challenges) of installing performance parts on MINIs, instead of just doing normal PDIs and maintenance jobs all the time.

 

Had not thought about asking them; will do so on Wednesday when I'm there for my 10k oil change. Good idea!

 

Got a few things in the mail that I ordered last week. LED fogs, SG2, Cravenspeed dipstick, and a small torque wrench for those small jobs. Going to have the wife wrap up the dipstick for Xmas and write down that it's from my small kids. They will get a kick watching me open it and helping me put it in my MINI on Xmas day. lol. The rest I hope I get to use before Xmas. lol

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Drove my JCW on the snow and ice for the first time today. YIKES - it handled like a three-toed sloth with teflon toenails! (That is not a compliment.)

I can't believe the ditches aren't filled with MINIs every time a frozen flake falls. I guess it's time for a visit to Tire Rack for Blizzaks or Michelins. BTW, does anyone know what happens if you don't put the tire-pressure monitors in the wheels for the snow tires? Is it just an obnoxious light in the center pod, or is the TPMS wired through something else that's critical?

 

Spa2k.. I parked mine for the winter..way to crazy to drive in these parts.. Im up in Minnesota.. we have had nothing but snow and very cold temps.. all which is bad for the tires that come with the JCW.. Im not sure at all about the TPMS.. I know with out them you will of course get the light on.. not sure if it effects anything else though.. But that light would drive me crazy!!! ha ha

 

That's exactly why I ditch the all seasons for summer tires and winter tires.
We put on Michelin X ice and my wife drove it on snow today without a glitch and feeling really secure. Snow tires are really the way to go...

 

Geez, Zippy - If I had your money, I'd park my MINI and drive the Range Rover too.

I guess I just got spoiled by the GTI I traded in on the MINI - OEM tires for three winters, and only once felt like I shouldn't have been driving it.