Portland Auto Show

I know it's not the biggest baddest thing, but is anybody planning on going? It might be the first time Oregonians get to see the R56 in person.

http://www.paragonexpo.com/201.html?flash=1

It's at the end of January. ( I know, six weeks... I'm just eager. )

 

I might just have to put that in my calander

 

I am going to try to be there but seems that I am out of town for one reason or another every time the show is in town. Now that I am really traveling for work I have no idea where I will be but hopefully someone will post some great pics

 

I try to make it to one day. Not sure what day though. It would be nice to see the R56 though.

 

I'm almost afraid to see it.

I might want one.

Usually I get to the auto show on a weekday, and the crowds are manageable. Particularly in the last hour of the day. It's always annoying when you are trying to evaluate a car and there are 23 people in line behind you, waiting and hovering.

But, sometimes you get a bone thron your way and you get to sit in a Viper or something. Last year they had a Ford GT, which is surprising for Portland.

 

Went last year and was very impressed. Of course it will be busy again this year.
If the R56 is there, I will be sitting in it... all day and all night... think security will throw me out?

jcwdriver, let me know when you want to go, i'll hitch along.
dan

 

I had a great time last year, even if I only 'ran' around to each of the different models I was interested in. Too bad there was a rope in front of the Lotus, thats a car im dying to sit in. Ill be there again in January.

 

There's a specialty rental car company in Portland, that usually has a booth there at the show. They usually have thier yellow lotus on display that you can sit in.

Or you can always make the hike down to GP Imports and sit in one of thiers. They are usually real cool about folks looking at , and perusing hte inventory. Pretty nice considering the caliber of cars they often have.

 

WHeee!! I will be there! Evening on Thursday....Morning on Friday....All day Saturday....All day Sunday!!

 

Oh yeah, I'm going for sure. Thursday I think. Can't wait to see 'em in person.

 

Turns out...
my schedule is packed this coming weekend... I'm turning 30... moving into a new house... gotta' find time to drink... and then there's the auto show.

I think I'll shoot for a Thursday evening venture. Probably the only day I'll get in there.

dan

 

Dood! You must come...

I think it opens Thursday, we shall coordinate...!

 

Holmes.... you getting a R56 to display from the MINIUSA travellin' roadshow or what?

 

Yup we will have two R56's. I will be at the autoshow from four til close on Thursday..WHEEE!! Someone bring a cattle prod to keep the lil ones from jumping on the seats!!

 

Cool! I'll be there!

Hey, PM me your email addy, I need to send you something and I can't remember

 

I & everyone who I work with are going to be going Saturday afternoon. Looking forward to it, still havnt seen an coupons to use. Was in the area and drove by the convention center today just as they were unloading an Audi R8 from a car hauler filled with other audi models. A few people were gathered around taking pictures with their camera phones. hehe, we dont have to check our cattle prod's @ the door?

:-)

 

No Prob...its
Jaridp@rasmussenmini.com

 

So, I--and other MINIacs--made it to the auto show last night.
I got a good look at the R-56, inside and out. It is beautiful.

The '06 version of the JCW was nearby to use as a comparison. The 56 appears a bit stouter in person. The more rounded look of the bonnet area and higher belt-line mated to a more square hindquarters make it look beefier. One very interesting style bit: the rear c-pillars each had a vertical ridge along the surface. Perhaps some obscure, German-engineered aerodynamic addendum? I wouldn't know, but it was curious.

Inside ergonomics are essentially the same. Although, the center consol looks like something out of the "Jetsons". The oversized speedo is still there; now, with a stereo crammed in at the bottom. The boot looked to have more room than the previous model, but maybe only because it is not cluttered with junk like mine.

Beyond the styling impression, the numbers are great compared to the current version. 175 hp and 177lb/ft. Here's the kicker: 192 lb/ft @ 1600 rpm with the "over boost" function. Unless you've got some mods, this version will easily walk away from the current MCS. I know we all love the supercharger whine, but I am certain that with one launch in the new R-56, the turbo whine will become a new favorite sound.

As for after market bits: nothing... yet. No doubt, job one is making the now defunct bonnet scoop useful for something. Perhaps a ram-air type cold air intake since the filter is just behind the plastic covered opening. Also, a blow-off valve for those who like the "tuner" style sound. A bigger turbo. Obviously. New exhaust and header to match, intake manifold work. With its new twin cam design and variable valve timing, work above the cylinders could be more difficult than in the current model. But where there's a will...

Overall, the car is definitely a winner. I would have driven home the show model if weren't for pesky money.

dan

 

I agree, the Mk2 is a nice and I think that it will continue to be a winner. However, there were a few things that I didn't like at all. The separate volume **** for the stereo. What's up with it being in another time zone? Should have been closer to the rest of the controls. In fact the whole center console should have everything closer together. That would be my only gripe about the car. Everything else seemed to be spot on as the Brits would say.

Did any of you see the Arial Atom 2? I'd trade my MINI in a heart beat for one of those. When looking at the Atom next to a HUGE Lamo, all that stuff (body panels extraneous crap) seemed to be totally useless. The Lambo doesn't perform any better than the Atom. So what do you really get for your extra $200K?

Oh, yeah, Minibeel and JCW, have you considered coming out with me on the track day in March at PIR?

CK

 

OO OOOO Did someone say track day??

 

Maybe - I know who you are jarid - this won't effect my warranty will it?

I'll be heading out with Team Conntinental for a HPDE. This will be my first time driving the track at speed so I'll be running the Novice Group.

Get that GP out on the track where it belongs!

 

Oh this is Jarid with the GP talking......not Rasmussen MINI MA Jarid!!! LOL Yes yes the Gee Pee wants to see trackday!!!

 

TC seems like the best way to start out on the track. $149 gets you an hour on the track and an instructor for every lap. I don't think that you can beat that.

I don't see myself getting to a real high speed anyway, justacooper here, no S. I think that I will get up to about 85 or 90 in the back stretch if I take turn 5 exactly right.

4000 more miles and all I have left is my Rust warrenty anyway. I'm not too concerned about the warrenty anymore.

 

Speaking of track time...

1) you will get that Cooper up to speed. It will not take long for you to get a handle on PIR with an instructor.

2) I had a very good birthday and will be going to Pro Drive within a few months.

dan

 

I have the less then reinforced versions of your tires, Falken ZX-512. I don't think that I want to get too hot out there, although, they do seem to hold better once really hot.