Yup, I walked on the Great Wall which was impressive. This particular area has been developed and revitalized for tourists, so good and bad on the visit, but the pictures give you a sense of it.

Wrapping up in China, returned last night from Shanghai, pictures for a random sample are in this album. I took over 600, so this is a click at random upload. It gives you a flavor of Shanghai.

Trying to get to the MINI dealer in the next day or so. It appears the Suzuki Swift is the cheap and popular hatch in Beijing and China that people will drive during the day. I have seen only the two MINIs, one gold and one Blue from before.

 

A note, I really do miss driving my MINI, Sunday cannot get here soon enough.

It has been grand seeing my GrandKids and touring with my son and his wife.

 

To me, a trip like that would be an opportunity of a lifetime. I'd be in heaven experiencing that. But, yeah, I'd miss LilTiger for sure.

 

Tigs, I agree I have been blessed with two older boys who have been providing great places to visit. I love visiting San Diego and my son has been out there for some time with his wife. In about 9 months I will have another grandchild to visit in SD.

Between Scotland, France, England and China my oldest boy has made for some wonderful opportunities.

Today I walk Bei Hai Park and hunt down the MINI dealer in Beijing, I hope they speak MINI English.

 

Howdy all...

Don, glad to hear you're having a good trip. I'm envious of all the experiences you're having... I would love to see more of the world.

Mike & Tigs, how is the cancer-stick cessation going? Still with the program and sane I hope

I've been insane with work for a while now and haven't been keeping tabs on things as closely as I'd like.

Some news from my side though: I'm taking Sam in to get his sound updated this Friday/Saturday. The shop is near Sacramento so I'll be driving up at the crack-o-dawn on Friday and staying at a motel Friday night. As the day grows nearer I'm getting more and more disgusted by my stock system and drooling over what is to come. I'm not going nutso on high-end components, but am getting quality stuff installed by top notch folks - and dynamat throughout.

 

Emily, the new sound system sounds interesting, you will have to let us know what you put into Samwise and how it sounds with the dynamat as a sound buffer.

What are you changing out and adding to your base components. Do you have HIFI in Samwise from the factory?

 

Hi all, It rained last night and the morning and early afternoon was great in Beijing. It clouded over again by 2:30pm, but my venture to find the MINI dealer went well. I had a great walk in Bei Hai Park, too.

At the dealer, they did not have an MCS, in fact the sales assistant said they did not have the MCS for sale in China but they advertise it. I found some MINI items, I did buy an official MINI hat (looks just like the one you get at our MINI dealers) in black.

In honor of Deacon and SDMike, I took this little snap. I almost bought both of the fluffy items, but I figured I would really look funny on the airplane on Saturday for 16 hours.

For you Mike and Tigs!





When you get a chance you will find a Bei Hai and Jing Shan Parks set of albums in my picasa, if you wish to browse.

It is 6pm Thursday - local Beijing time.

 

TSIA. Enjoy, a couple more photos taken today Thursday afternoon.

Very nice dealership, the sales process for a hat was interesting, the paper generated makes me want to buy some stock in the China paper industry. It took as long to get the hat paid for and the receipts as the time to take these pictures and buy the MINI hat.

Album of MINI Beijing North.

 

Emily spill the beans! What are you getting

Don, again I am humbled by the beauty you have managed to capture on your visit to China, thank you so much for sharing the photos and your thoughts.

BTW the Plushies seem to have a larger MINI Wings logo than mine... I wonder if mine is some cheap Chinese knock-off

 

OK, here is the basic setup (some is pared down from the mega system I originally got a quote for):

JL OEM audio interface digital EQ with 4-chan in and out
JL signal summing interface for Cleansweep
Hertz HSK 130 component speaker set.
JL Audio A series 45x4 watts

Exact subwoofer is in the air. This shop is known for creativity in placement and fabrication of subwoofer boxes. Until they get a chance to see the car and assess the options I don't know for sure what they'll recommend. I'm not looking to have booming bass that rattles the windows, just some nice vibrations and low end timbre, so it'll probably be something very discrete.

Stinger Roadkill Expert sound dampening throughout.

If they let me observe, you can bet there will be pictures of the process. BTW... this is where I'm going Though I'm not sure I'm ready to see Sam in that state yet.

I'm sooo psyched. Can hardly wait to hear the difference. The drive home on Saturday is going to be bliss!!

oh, and to Don's question, I have (had) the base system with no amp.

 

Emily, it should be wonderful, let us know how it sounds with all the good stuff.

Last night in Beijing, we had dinner out. Great food, bad service. Belgium resturant owned by a Belgium gentleman and his Chinese wife, very good but the help needs help. Very slow kitchen, one of the best Belgium Pepper Steaks I have had over the years.

More pictures on Sunday..... It has been fun posting my adventure. I saw two more MINIs on the road today, one MY and one LB, both Coupes.

Ciao,
Don

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I am so proud of you two!

 

Thank you. Thank you. 2 weeks clean and sober today!

 

BRAVO!!! I'll second batgirlwildcat's sentiment. Keep it up.

 

Here is an update of my audio upgrade:

I've just checked into the motel next door to the shop doing my sound system. I feel very comfortable with the expertise of the people who will be doing the work on Sam.

I've decided to go back up a notch to a 5 channel Audison amp and replace the rear speakers. Hopefully I'll get a nice big bonus at work this year to pay this all off.

Subwoofer:
I'll be getting a low profile subwoofer that is going to be in a custom fabricated box/false floor in the boot. The box will be movable enough, possibly hinged, so that I will still be able to get to my tools and drop the spare if I need to.

The shop's owner, Rod, has lent me the shop van while they're dong the work so I'm not stuck (even though the motel is right next door and there are plenty of restaurants and stores within walking distance).

I've been told it's fine for me to stop in from time to time to snap pictures of Sam's progress. They did caution me though: for some people its almost like watching their child have surgery since pretty much everything will be removed for the dynamatting.

 

Sounds good, Emily. Or, should I say it sounds like it will sound good. I wish I had known about Stinger Roadkill Expert sound dampening before I did the Dynamat install. Seems like Roadkill might be better. Oh well, I still have the front to do...

What made you go all the way to Sacramento for this work? Are these guys especially good with MINIs, or just especially good? I have cousins in Sacramento so they could be an option if I decide not to tackle the front speakers myself.

My cabinetry is coming along. Paint is done on the main cabinet. It is far from perfect, but not too bad for painted plywood. Speaker cabinet needs a few more coats. I have some Ziricote trim to finish and installation can begin.

When I return from Los Angeles in Oct. I'd like to meet somewhere for some canyon carving. I'd love to hear your system, and show off my rear-seat delete.

 

^^^^^^ LA in Oct?

We could do lunch!

 

Glad you have kicked it. I continued to smoke a pipe until my mid 30s, finally gave it up, but I chew a cigar on occasion.

Emily, nice, I will have to read in detail when I get back to the states, I'm scanning this AM, off to the airport in Beijing.

One parting picture from Friday afternoon, car related.





Until Sunday or late Saturday...

 

Safe travels, Don!!!! Welcome home to US soil. As nice as it is to go visit places, there's just no place like home!

 

PM sent.

It is great that you are freeing yourselves of the coffin nails habit. I never started, so don't know what it is like. I do recall the horrors of coming down from being on Demerol for too long, (or was it morphine) after lung surgery in 1967 (one reason I never started).

 

First, very cool on your progress Robin. I'll love to see it when we eventually meet up. After seeing what I've seen so far from the work on Sam, it is definitely not a job for the faint of heart, esp if you haven't done it before. Let me know when you're back and we'll go for a roller-coaster ride in the hills.

I ended up downgrading to the Dynamat when I upgraded the amp and rear speakers so I won't be able to say how the Roadkill is

CAI was recommended to be by someone here on NAM who's known Rod, the owner, for ages. They are not MINI "experts" (they have done a classic and a Gen 1, and now an R56), but they are truly "especially good" in general and extensively on German cars. Porche's are their bread and butter.

Just an FYI about the fronts, if you are planning on doing Dynamat in the doors it appears to be a PITA to get everything out.

Here are a few pictures from Day1 - for now just of my amp/subwoofer box:

Here is the base of my amp/subwoofer cabinet. Matt is a true artist and very skilled in what he does. The base is so snug to the floor between the cargo attachment points that it doesn't move at all - its not even bolted in any way. Obviously nothing is wired at this point:


Here it is with the top. It will be covered with special carpet that will match everything else. I was truly impressed with the fit and how it contours the boot perfectly.



Gawd, I'm soooo looking forward to the drive home tonight.

I'll post more (or link to an album) with lots of pics after I get home.... have to check out and go watch more of the progress unfolding.

I hope Don is having a safe journey home, and that everyone else is having a good Saturday.

 

So, Roadkill was more expensive than Dynamat? The online prices don't seem to be that different. I would think labor would be much greater than material cost.

I'm considering having someone else do the fronts. It will be helpful to hear your system.

Look forward to your drive home report.

 

Are you home yet, Emily? Are you deaf yet?

Looking forward to your update - kinda. I can see the wheels spinning in Mike's head already. :impatient

 

muahahhahah Emily hurry up and post finished pics!

 

Hey Emily, you still driving around listening to sounds or crushed at work.

How did it turn out?