aso - I'd go with the SA2000 if you're buying a new helment. A lot of clubs are thinking of or planning to go to the SA-only rule at some point and do you *really* want to have to go out and get a new one?

 

This is actually the problem I had that made me use more pressure perhaps than I should have. Even after you wipe the bulk of the dried "wax" off, it truly does look like "MINI dandruff"

 

I think I've seen this mentioned before, but I can't find it. Do other people notice that the breaks smell quite a bit? The first time I stopped at a toll booth I noticed a burnt rubber kind of smell, but I wrote it off as another car near me or something, but every time I stopped, especially when I stopped quite fast, I'd notice the same smell. I'm assuming its from the breaks and I don't think its a problem, but is this something that other people have observed?

 

JPL If you follow up your nxt application with a detail spray like Zaino Z6 or Mothers (smells like cinnamon) that will take care of the "MINI Dandruff"

Andy

 

JPL - I use Wizards Microfiber. About as overpriced as it gets, but hey, they don't scratch either. Check out Microfiber Tech, or better yet in terms of overall selection, Auto Geek

Andy - ditto on Rachel's suggestion for an SN-2000 helmet - that's what I got. They are more $$$, but the classic question: how much is your head worth?

Wrkncacnter - I doubt you're cooking your brakes so soon in your "break-in", lol. I'd guess it's random newness. Cosmoline or assorted assembly/shipping stuff. If it KEEPS smelling hundreds of miles from now, then worry!

 

>>I think I've seen this mentioned before, but I can't find it. Do other people notice that the breaks smell quite a bit? The first time I stopped at a toll booth I noticed a burnt rubber kind of smell, but I wrote it off as another car near me or something, but every time I stopped, especially when I stopped quite fast, I'd notice the same smell. I'm assuming its from the breaks and I don't think its a problem, but is this something that other people have observed?

I've noticed this as well....

I, however, attributed it to the tires. The problem is, when I hit the brakes hard I'm often cornering rather hard as well, so it is difficult to tell where the scent is coming from. It is DEFINITELY the wheel area, usually in the rear.

 

JPL - I'll check out the costco microfibers this weekend - they're something like $8-10 for a dozen of them. I just need to CD-test them before I'll pronounce them safe. Some other places to check out for them, although more pricey than costco, are pakshak.com (mention that you're a nam member and you might be able to get a discount - never hurts to ask), there's also poorboysworld.com (the line of products that I generally use; they also sell microfibers).

I'm hoping I'm just really tired and exhausted from this week, but you didn't say that you were turning and braking at the same time, did you?

 

April 14 was one year since I picked up my MINI, and I like it more everyday.

Had some small problems that the dealer took care of (4 trips). But the car is so fun to own.

I am sure I am the low mileage leader with 6300 miles, but keep in mind this is a fourth car in a two driver family with a company car that I put 15k on a year.

The MINI never picked up a quart of milk, or was left in a parking lot. (Not a scratch yet). Never more than 100 miles away because of family obligations. It's just fun miles, and just the thing to make you feel alive and great.

I am sure those who use it as a daily driver have a different angle on it, but our 03 MCS has done a great job recreating the times I had with my old 1966 MCS.

Of course the wheels are a PIA to keep clean; but I have gotten used to that.

For those waiting.....it's very well worth the wait!

Regards,
Red :smile:

 

>>I've noticed this as well....
>>
>>I, however, attributed it to the tires. The problem is, when I hit the brakes hard I'm often cornering rather hard as well, so it is difficult to tell where the scent is coming from. It is DEFINITELY the wheel area, usually in the rear.

Both times I've really noticed it I haven't been cornering at all, the first at a toll booth, and the second time after stopping pretty hard on a long straightaway. There appears to be no problems, I guess the breaks are just working really well.

I got to drive it more today, and I got my first honk from a fellow MINI driver! It was from a Chili Red Cooper on the Rock Creek Parkway. I wasn't really in a position to wave, but I honked back a few times, I hope they heard me! Hehe, I love it how people always gawk at the car too, I feel so cool in it

 

Thanks for the report Red. Mine was one year old on Sunday. 14,808 miles. Loads of fun.

Ordered a new helmet today, Bell Pyrotect sa2000.


Now, to pursue my goal of visiting all three Northern California tracks this year, Thunderhill, Sears Point (Infineon) Laguna Seca plus Fernley/Reno Nev.

I tried the CD test with Costco microfiber towels. They passed! I even tried them on a blank DVD, no problems. Polish On!

Andy

_________________


03 MC CR/B. Rogue exhaust, Pipercross induction intake.

 

>>JPL - I'll check out the costco microfibers this weekend - they're something like $8-10 for a dozen of them. I just need to CD-test them before I'll pronounce them safe. Some other places to check out for them, although more pricey than costco, are pakshak.com (mention that you're a nam member and you might be able to get a discount - never hurts to ask), there's also poorboysworld.com (the line of products that I generally use; they also sell microfibers).
>>
>>I'm hoping I'm just really tired and exhausted from this week, but you didn't say that you were turning and braking at the same time, did you? :smile:

See, I have this really cool brick-covered entrance to my apartment complex that makes for a really fun low-speed dry skidpad if I'm feeling up for a bit of adventure (and the coast is clear of course).

I'm trying to find an actual local retail store I can go into and pick up some decent microfibers... I'd really like to give my baby a bath tomorrow because it's going to be a NICE day (75-80 and sunny).

 

I got my first scrape on the car today I was going around a corner that (M st right onto New Hampshire) is more than 90 degrees, its about 130 degrees, and I got too close to the curb and scraped up the wheel. Its not too bad, just a scrape near the edge of the wheel about 2 inches long and about a quarter of an inch wide, but its still a scrape! Winston the W'rknCooper's first blemish!

 

>>I got my first scrape on the car today :smile:

 

>
>>Heh, perhaps I should have worded that as:
>>
>>"Braking hard, then immediately afterwards nailing a corner hard, then accelerating briskly (and sometimes burning a little rubber if the SD mode is feeling particularly torque-y".
>>

Ah.. much better! Didn't mean to sound harsh or criticizing, just wanted to make sure you stayed safe! I cringe when I see people taking the offramps aggressively in front of me, get deep into it, and slam on their brakes at just the *wrong* time and bring the back end around on themselves. Of course, on the track, I'm all about trail-braking (much to my instructor's horror, probably).

*sigh*

I'm working on needing my third set of tires on this car. 15,000 miles on it.... maybe it's time to think about a different tire, eh?

 

Rachel - I'm sure all that track time has nothing to do with your tire wear concerns!
---> Red: you can always install a set of EBC Green Stuff pads to cut that brake dust down!

 

>>---> Red: you can always install a set of EBC Green Stuff pads to cut that brake dust down!

I know Ryan. But it keeps me attached to the car; sort of a "Zen" experience.

Everyday. Brush your teeth and wheels twice a day.

And what else would I have to complain about?


Regards,
Red

 

>>Rachel - I'm sure all that track time has nothing to do with your tire wear concerns!
>>

Actually, it's funny.. the wear doesn't appear to be the fastest when we're tracking the car. The tread literally melts away in the hot weather. The first track session last year (June, I think and very cool), the tires appeared almost new before and after the event. When we went again in August, the tires were *way* down before the event, to the point that I took them to the tire dealership to ask them if that was normal (and ordered a new set). Even Tirerack, knowing the number of track days on the car, agreed that it wasn't typical. Ah well... just my particular experience with the tires out here.

We made a Mustang GT very upset yesterday. Beautiful weather.. he wanted some spirited straight-line acceleration on some back roads. Unfortunately, that pesky MINI just wasn't leaving his rear-view mirror. He tried it a few times; he just couldn't leave us behind.

 

So remind us again what tires are you running?

 

>>So remind us again what tires are you running?

These're the Yokohama AVE ES100's.

 

That's what I was thinking of getting

What now?

 

I have the Yokohama Parada Spec-2, which trade wet grip for more dry grip over the ES100's. Do you want to stick to your 16's? That would nix out the Parada2 option

 

I am also looking for a black wheel. I think I want to stick with the 16s.

 

Greetings all, old and new. Its been a really long time since I posted anything here. I spent the last couple of hours catching up with the list, and would like to add my congratulations to all the new owners and soon-to-be-owners. Its been just over 1 year since I picked up mine (4-17-03) in St Louis and drove 2400 miles in three days to get her home. I currently have just over 28,000 miles on her, and guess what? I need tires.

>>I have the Yokohama Parada Spec-2, which trade wet grip for more dry grip over the ES100's.

I am leaning towards the Yokohama AVS ES100's, primarily because we get a lot of rain up here behind the Redwood Curtain (average is 35 to 40 inches per year - no thats not a typo), but it essentially never snows. If there is another tire I ought to be looking at, let me know (quickly). Here is a brief update, and some things I have learned in the last year.

Zaino products are great - and not hard to learn to use - even I can do it.

People still stop and stare at a nice clean MINI.

Even though the will both technically fit, don't put a Sousaphone and an Akita in the back of the MINI together - they don't get along.

Sometimes a rattle is a rattle, but its still worth emptying those long pockets along the doors just in case (Thanks Chef)

There is no other car like the MINI. We just returned from a week in Southern Utah, where we rented a true Luxo-Barge, a Cadillac DeVille. Did a great job of hauling the four of us around, but driving the MINI after a week of the Caddy was like jumping out of a 747 and landing in the seat of a fighter jet.


Phil

 

You know, I think the whole thing about tires is that it's really individual. Some people have happily put 15,000+ on the same tires that I'm getting less than 5,000 on. I don't peel out of lights, I don't lock up the brakes for stops.. Mostly just drive. Sometimes more quickly than most . I talked to a local mechanic when I was getting the car inspected and he had the same comment about these tires: they're GREAT for grip, but when they get hot, they're really soft. Really hot and they melt away.It didn't happen when we were at the track, but the 90+ degree heatwaves we had for a while really didn't help. They're quite decent in the rain (I always have problems with tram-lining, but then I'm running slightly wider rubber than the stock setup).

What else would I try? Well, I'm thinking of some Toyo T1s's on the track wheels, or maybe some Falken Azenis. For everyday driving, we've really liked the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3's on the Audi; they come in sizes to fit the Mini as well. I'm still thinking about what to get

 

great to hear everything's tip-top Phil! 28k miles, awesome!

Rachel - I think you need to get yourself a nice, hard-compound, squishy-ride, passenger car tire, like the Goodyear Eagle LS Seriously, the GS-D3 is top shelf, along with the Bridgestone S-03 and the Toyo T1S. Can't say about the tire wear though, except they are Max performance.