--> Ryan-
MM2 looks great! Thanks for the write up. Maybe BMW/MINI needs to take a hint and offer a factory sport suspension package....

 

I think my salesman is better at updating the Owners Lounge than the rest of them!!!

I better get my MINI on Monday.... or else
or else what?
Else, I'll need a valium to function as a human being!

 

Ooooh Pebbles! I hope you pick up your MINI on Monday, that would rock!

--->Countrym - 6 weeks from order to delivery! I'm sure that IS some sort of record, woah!

--->Waypoint - I kind of agree with you. The cost to offer a factory "sport suspension super plus", however I don't see it getting past the saftey guys or the bean counters. The car's handling limits are now SO high, anybody less than experienced with racing would be endangering themselves and others. Of course, anybody that buys a Viper or Porsche or other kick-*** handling vehicle runs the same risk really. The irony is, other than the car runs an inch lower, it rides better than stock, is more controlled at the limit, and has better feedback at all times.

Cheers!
Ryan

 

Ryan,

Wow your set up looks awesome. I too have the h-sport springs and control arms waiting to go on as soon as my MINI arrives. I hope I can manage it as well as you did.

I am still in some debate about the swaybars though. You have the H-Sport comp set (front and rear) right? What is the difference between the stock front and the H-Sport front? Stiffer I assume, but Randy has told me that the front bar actually brings the car back towards understeer. It sounds like that is not your impression.

Anyway, MM2 looks sweet. Happy motoring!

Chuck

 

Does anyone know how long the cars typically sit around "awaiting shipment"? My MCS's "build date" was 10/10/03, and neither the Owner's Lounge nor my dealer can tell me whether the car has left the Motherland.

 

>>Does anyone know how long the cars typically sit around "awaiting shipment"? My MCS's "build date" was 10/10/03, and neither the Owner's Lounge nor my dealer can tell me whether the car has left the Motherland.

bddsfm - Get your VIN from the Owner's Lounge. Then go the the W&W Site, click on Auto and enter your VIN. That will tell you your shipping status.

 

-->Pebbles - ditto on the OL, it's fubar, at least you have a delivery date, mine just shows the original profile when I signed up...aquire date of 8/21/03...guess I've been motoring and didn't even know it

 

-->cdconsor: Randy is correct; the H-Sport front bar is effectively 1.5mm larger than the stock MCS bar, which will increase understeer. However, the Comp rear bar is effectively 5.1mm larger, a HUGE difference, and will add huge doses of oversteer. Adding the two balances the car out for 90% of daily driving. True, on the autocross track, I'd have to put the rear bar in a more forward hole to stiffen up the effective rate, however using that same hole on the street will make the car twitchy and easy to spin. (I know, that's how I crashed MM1). On that note, if you do mostly around town driving, and if you only want to add a rear bar, the ALTA 19mm bar is a great piece and will balance the car very well. In any case, just the springs make an awesome improvement. With the control arms and stock sway bars, I recommend only a slight decrease in negative camber; say -1.5. Any more vertical and you'll lose rear traction in hard corners. Tire wear should be very flat with that camber setting too.

Cheers!
Ryan

 

Thanks for the input Ryan. I'm kind of a sucker for clever advertising and I was ready to plunk down for the whole H-Sport system since I already had the springs. But since I don't plan on AutoXing maybe the 19mm is the way to go. Hmmm I'll have to mull it over.

Chuck

 

Well here we are on November 2nd and all of a sudden no one has any thing to say? Have fun tomorrow Pebbles. Remember, we want pictures!

 

Pebbles, you're taking delivery tomorrow?! Have fun, good luck, and BE SAFE!

here's an excerpt from my full MM2 report in the April Club:

Day Six; today, I installed my full toggle bank (YAY!) and my driver side Schroth 4-point harness. It's great to have a all the toggle switches, and I made an appointment at the dealer to turn the rear fogs on in the computer. The Schroth harness also kicks major booty - it holds me in excellent, really clamping you into the car. The feeling of security is awesome, and ingress/egress is easier than expected. My only complaint is the rather high price ($225 per harness, ouch)

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Two weeks until delivery!

Let me just say, for the record, MONDAY SUCKS.

 

:smile: I'm going shopping! :smile:
Look out Best Buy ! :smile: Shopping today and buying a car tomorrow ! :smile:

Smooches everyone !


_________________

 

You are just way too @#$%&! happy

 

Tick.... Tick.... Tick.....

Well, the Tosca is due to arrive in NJ today, but the WW site still doesn't show any update.........

How does the saying go.... "A watched ship never docks".... or something like that.

Tick.... Tick.... Tick....

Blue Brummie ----

 

Hey Pebbles,

Pebbles?

Hello?

Oh wait, thats right, she's out with her new beau.

Have a great day!!!

 

Has the Tosca docked in NY yet?

 

No, I'm here ! And I didn't break the bank shopping yesterday. A couple DVD movies and a couple friend's birthday gifts and I was done!

I get to pick up my MINI this afternoon . . .

Talk about ---- tick . . . tick . . . tick . . .

PLEASE - Can't it even be lunch time ? ? ?

So far today - I've changed clothes twice. Then got myself busy outside and sprayed with the water hose and got my shoes wet.... then had to change shoes.

Because I'm on vacation today, I'm taking my Mom to lunch.
I'm so excited, I'm not even hungry.
BJ's Not Hungry
History in the making!!

Well, I'm off --- I'll take digital phots and post them tonight!

_________________

 

Well, the tick .... tick... ticking is quickening.... well.... a little anyway....

The TOSCA docked safely and has deposited Blue Brummie in New Jersey !!

I feel a little better knowing it's on dry land again.

ASK-MINI was somewhat helpful when I called. I'm hoping the 12 Nov EDD is still accurate !!

Oh well. time to sign off for the day............

PS - Pebbles, I'm so jealous of you getting your MINI today !! :smile:

 

The Tosca has set sail for Charleston. I have dispatched 2 seagulls and an albatross to track her- with strict instructions not to crap on the BRG/W MINI with my name on it.
It now looks like 16 Nov. for my EDD!!

 

With any luck the Otello has docked at Port Hueneme today. I wont know until tomorrow when it is supposed to sail again if it really did however.

Now its time to purdy up the garage... insulation, sheetrock, epoxy the floor. Nothin's too good for my boy.

_________________
Motoring by Thanksgiving!

 

I saw the Pebbles pics of Mr.Bridger in the gallery!

I also washed up MM2 today, and took a few beauty pics. I was shocked to realize I still had white wheels (nothing but rain and dirt and wet leaves for the past week, yuk!)




Cheers!
Ryan

 

Here's Mr Bridger!
Ok - Here's Me picking up Mr Bridger.
He was a breeze to drive home!

I NEED YOUR HELP ! I NEED ADVISE !!!
What I want you all to help me with is his Union Jack!
Notice in the photos at the dealership you can't see anything off with it.
But I got home and stood on a chair to take a photo of it and it looks like the one red piece on the left is not in line. Is it me? or Do you see it? Do I take it back or Do I even care that much? Is it noticeable right off or should I just think of it as what makes my MINI special?

 

As a graduate of the October club (and a fellow UJ owner), I think it looks great!!! But if you're not satisfied with it, by all means have the dealer remedy the situation. Congrats on the sweet ride!

 

Looking good Miss Pebbles! CONGRATS!

My advice on the Union Jack flag - while it looks to be installed ok, I've never liked the MINI flag - Go with a full-roof Cooperflags UJ, it'll look even more awesome, I think.

Enjoy!