"you heard me - they can't just replace the 100 Amp Fuse. they've gotta get their hands on another Fuse Box, which has to be shipped from the UK, which is gonna take 2 WEEKS. unbelieveable. so, i guess for every two weeks that you drive a MINI, you've gotta let it spend just as long in the shop...."


That is the strangest thing I ever heard. Why bother with a fuse if it can't be replaced. And on a lot of cars, the really big ones under the hood are circuit breakers. Perhaps the breaker fried the box?

Shades of Joe Lucas? Been there. Done that!

Perhaps you should post "Under The Bonnet".

Regards,

Red

Socks, keep us posted on how your repairs turn out!

almost 3k miles, already

oh, one last qualm; does anyone else find that the engine does NOT like to start? It takes many revolutions before it'll fire up, and sometimes I'll even have to stop and try a 2nd time before it'll start! Is this just my software, or might I have an issue (gasp!)

Cheers,
Ryan

Socks... I'm SO sorry to hear that you're having this problem

*nudge*

anyone heard from Katie lately? I miss her stories! Maybe after finals...

"almost 3k miles, already :smile:

Doh! :smile:

LOL, you'll get used to the multi-function buttons over time Red! He's all clean and ready to motor, which is exactly what I'm going to do!

Later!
Ryan

>>
>>OK. Who else has mixed up the multifunction functions while deep in a motoring funk?

true that Rachel!

When installation happens, pics will happen too!

Cheers,
Ryan

>>Ok, I finally got my front MUD FLAPS in at the dealership, a scalding $11
>>
>>When installation happens, pics will happen too!
>>

I can't wait to see them! Are you doing fronts and rears, or just one of the sets?

I remember Michigan winters *really* well.. and the springs, and the summers.. Messy!

At least where I'm living now I can get away with taking the public transportation to work and back every day, so I can cut down on at least some of the roadgrime by not driving in the worst of it.

... though to be fair, my boyfriend snatched my poor mini-scrat this morning. (yes, I finally have a mascot... he's on the ledge of the trunk, safely secured by his tail so he doesn't go wandering too far for nuts, and hidden behind the headrests so he can make faces at the poor folks behind me and I'm none the wiser). Of course it's a day when i could leave work early and clay my car... *sob*

One Week Plus Review
Now that everybody has their MINI’s, the reviews are not quite as exciting as the real motoring. I passed my break-in miles (1310) so I have had a chance to really drive it.

FUN FACTOR
About every other day someone gawks, excitingly inquires or otherwise displays enthusiasm in response to Motor’nMAX. :smile: Kids especially LOVE it! :smile: :smile: Glad I went with the rally lights and stripes since I went with PS/B and s-lites. Gives Motor’nMAX enough of a “go out and have fun” look. The chrome of the lights adds to the front since the grille is painted. The HK rocks. NO NEGATIVES AS FAR AS FUN GOES.

MOTORING
Every twist is a blast! Handling surpasses expectations. The ride on the run-flats is much better than I expected.

Thanks for your OWLA par4! :smile:

I played with my mudflaps today. I raised up one side and put one kinda half on, just to get a visual. I decided it looked too yukkie, and took it back off. Maybe come wintertime, when I need maximum salt-resistance, I'll put 'em on! Decide for yourself:


OR


Cheers,
Ryan

ok, I dug up this pic I took pre-spring install, but it still looks awesome (I think )

>>ok, I dug up this pic I took pre-spring install, but it still looks awesome (I think )
>>

oo.. thar she... glows!

very nice.

More pics please! I love the Indi blue.

Hi all, just a quickie...

I'm home from Ft. Worth and leaving for Dallas in 3 hours, (I know that sounds nuts but I had to bring the students home and pick up the family)...at last I get to swap the Volvo for the MINI

More on Sunday (including my overdue OWLA)!

chef

sweet, you rock Chefie!

so what do you guys think of my mud-flap comparison?

woah, my OMLA is due, yikes, it's been a month already!?
Cheers,
Ryan

>>sweet, you rock Chefie! :smile:

Regards,
Red

Congratulations, Chef 1-2-3 is very impressive. My daughter had a 1-2-3 in track today - 1st in the 400, 2nd in the 200, 3rd in the 800. She was almost as pleased as I.

About the flaps - I would have to second Red's assessment - they seem pretty unobtrusive. Almost like they belong. At the same time, pictures can sometimes be a little deceiving. And those white wheels really make that glowing picture work.

Toodles,

Phil

thanks for the input guys! maybe I'll work up the nerve now to drill into my fenderwells to permenantly install them [bites nails in a concerned fashion]

as for the mudflaps effectiveness, they don't quite cover the whole width of the tire, since I have the H&R wheel spacers, so a bit of tire-spray will still get by

Cheers,
Ryan

Ryan. How many miles do you put on before needing to clean those pearly whites? They look great in the photo. :smile:

Keeping the wheels clean is just about a full-time job! Changing to the EBC Green pads was a dramatic improvement, not only in brake-dust reduction, but in pedal feel too!
I've waxed my wheels thoroughly, yet I still wipe them down every few days. I find it's easier to keep them sparkling white than to "start from scratch" when I wash the car.

in other news: I have signed up to be part of RandyBMC's Cincinnati group supercharger pulley install! Cinci is a do-able 4.5 hours from Detroit, so I've decided to go for it and sign myself up. Randy is the main-man at MINI-Motorsport, based in Denver, CO. The pulley they've developed is a two piece, using a steel hub and an aluminum pulley that can be changed to different ratios if desired. Total cost including labor: $400, an excellent value, considering the gain is at minimum 16HP just about across the RPM band. This bumps the boost from the stock 11.5PSI to at least 16.5PSI, and even more PSI (and subsequently more horsepower) if you have aftermarket intake or exhaust parts. I am looking into doing dyno pulls before and after the install, to satisfy the techo-tweak in me

Cheers,
Ryan

>>Keeping the wheels clean is just about a full-time job! Changing to the EBC Green pads was a dramatic improvement, not only in brake-dust reduction, but in pedal feel too!
>>I've waxed my wheels thoroughly, yet I still wipe them down every few days. I find it's easier to keep them sparkling white than to "start from scratch" when I wash the car.
>>
>>in other news: I have signed up to be part of RandyBMC's Cincinnati group supercharger pulley install! Cinci is a do-able 4.5 hours from Detroit, so I've decided to go for it and sign myself up. Randy is the main-man at MINI-Motorsport, based in Denver, CO. The pulley they've developed is a two piece, using a steel hub and an aluminum pulley that can be changed to different ratios if desired. Total cost including labor: $400, an excellent value, considering the gain is at minimum 16HP just about across the RPM band. This bumps the boost from the stock 11.5PSI to at least 16.5PSI, and even more PSI (and subsequently more horsepower) if you have aftermarket intake or exhaust parts. I am looking into doing dyno pulls before and after the install, to satisfy the techo-tweak in me
>>
>>Cheers,
>>Ryan

I have removed the wheels and washed and waxed them 2 times so far 1400 smiles approx They are awesome when freshly waxed> I want Green stuff. Kissing the warrnty good buy!!!!! Good luck Ryan wish I could join you. But I have kid's to put through college I need my warranty. Nothing but good things to say about the S, it deffinatly out performs the Cooper. Probably the option I am most pleased with is the auto dimming mirror and rain sensing wipers, well worth every penny

>>in other news: I have signed up to be part of RandyBMC's Cincinnati group supercharger pulley install! Cinci is a do-able 4.5 hours from Detroit, so I've decided to go for it and sign myself up. Randy is the main-man at MINI-Motorsport, based in Denver, CO. The pulley they've developed is a two piece, using a steel hub and an aluminum pulley that can be changed to different ratios if desired. Total cost including labor: $400, an excellent value, considering the gain is at minimum 16HP just about across the RPM band. This bumps the boost from the stock 11.5PSI to at least 16.5PSI, and even more PSI (and subsequently more horsepower) if you have aftermarket intake or exhaust parts. I am looking into doing dyno pulls before and after the install, to satisfy the techo-tweak in me


woohoo! Go Ryan!

CHEF! CONGRATS! Great job to all of you!

So I finally got around to detailing my car this weekend.. okay, I'll confess that my boyfriend did it. I'm so proud of him - it was his very first whole-car unsupervised detailing session (except for the few panicked phone calls asking for advice). Clay, polish, glaze, and wax all by his lonesome! My car is SO smooth and shiny!

It's funny how little quirks in the paint are just that... cute little quirks that make the car more unique. We came across a spot on the door where the clearcoat got a bit overzealous and started running down the door. You really have to stand on your head and look at it cross-eyed and sideways to see it. It's a FEATURE!

So i am not alone cleaning wheels everyday.... Though waxing and green pads help.

Ryan, will that new pulley void your warranty? And how difficult will it be to change the ratio once it is installed.

Sounds like a nice HP boost for the buck! Especially when JCW comes up with 37 HP for at least $5k.

Regards,
Red