We're headed down once again! Reprinted from our Blog, there's some info that you already know, but some cool new stuff as well.

For the Twelfth year in a row, Helix Minisports will be at the annual celebration of all things MINI called MINIs on the Dragon. If you're not familiar with this event, you can start by visiting http://minisonthedragon.com/ to get a feel for what it's all about. In a nutshell, the Dragon refers to US highway 129 in the Smokey Mountains, a particularly twisty and turny road--one that was seemingly built for MINI coopers. Imagine a 11-mile autocross through a mountain pass.

Helix has been at every MOTD except for the very first one, and will once again be there, performing work on MINIs, displaying and installing the latest in performance parts and accessories for three generations of MINI Coopers, Convertibles, Coupes, Roadsters, Countryman, Clubman (what is the plural of Countryman? Countrymen or Countrymans?). We will be offering a wide variety of unique services on MINIs, including hardware and software upgrades, and regular maintenance and repairs. Some of the more interesting things we can do to your MINI includes:

-1st Generation Control Arm Bushings. For the R50 and R53s (2002-2006 MINIs), we are offering Powerflex polyurethane control arm bushings installed for $350 total. If you own a 1st generation MINI, have more than 50,000 miles on it, and haven't replaced your bushings, unfortunately, you'll need to. You may have noticed that your MINI's handling is sloppier than it used to be, and that your inner tires have worn out. That's because your control arm bushings have failed. You could replace them with factory bushings, but then you'd just have to replace them in 40 to 50k miles. That's where Powerflex bushings come into play. They last the life of the car and make your handling razor sharp. Lend us a little time with your MINI and we'll make it the best Dragon experience of your life!

-2nd Generation Upgrades: Here Are Two: For 2007 and later cars, we're offering two unique services. First, Vehicle Coding. We are able to switch on a number of special commands within your vehicle's computer to activate conveniences that you may not have gotten with your MINI. Everything from automatically rolling up your windows with your key fob, to controlling the torque steer under hard acceleration. How about one-touch sunroof open and close? Here's a partial list of what we can do:

Popular Coding Options for (2007-2013) Rxx Mini Coopers


Car Access Module

Close Windows & Sunroof w/ Lock on Key Fob

Auto Unlock Doors When Key Is Removed

Activate Panic Alarm **Needs factory alarm installed

Maintain Power Windows Operation For 60 Seconds After Switching Off Ignition

Selective Unlocking With Key Fob

Roof Module

One Touch Sunroof Operation

Navigation Module

Enable Weather-Band Radio

Remove Legal Disclaimers

Instrument Cluster Module

Disable Corrected Speed Reading (Both Digital and Analog)

Disable Key-In Gong / Door Open Reminder **Hit or miss with some models

Always Display Digital Speed In Cluster

Efficient Dynamics Shift Suggestion Indicator

Disable Road Freeze Temperature Warning (Gong at 37 Degrees)

Airbag Module

Disable Driver’s And/Or Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminders

Footwell Module (Light Module)

Fogs Come On With Parking Lights / Headlights (Disables Toggle Switch)

Fogs Stay On With High Beams

Fogs Stay On When High Beams Are Flashed

Windows DO NOT Stop Rolling Up When Door Opened

Euro Hazards (Double Blinking)

Euro Hazards with Ignition Off and On

Disable Bulb Checks for following circuits:

Low Beams

High Beams

License Plate

Front and Rear Fog Lights

Corner Lights

Parking Lights

Daytime Running Lights

Brake Lights & Signal Lights

Welcome Lights Activated for following circuits:

Front High Beams

Front Low Beams

Rear Fog Light

Rear Turn Signals

Front Turn Signals

License Plate Lamps

Climate Control Module

Disable A/C Engagement When Selecting Auto Mode

Power Steering Module
Torque Steer Fix

Retrofit Coding
-Halogen to Xenon Conversion
-Bluetooth

-OEM Alarm System
-Sirius Radio
-Retrofit Power Fold Mirrors
-Sports Seat Retrofit
-Adaptive Headlight Failure
-Remove/add Fog Lights
-Aux Input
-Disable PDC sensors
-PDC Disable for Factory Hitch and Trailor Module
-Rear View Camera retrofit
-LCI Taillight Coding

Options may or may not be available depending on chassis and model year. If you do not see an option on this list you are interested in, please feel free to ask!

Also, if you have a Second Generation MINI, you've probably heard of the dreaded carbon build-up on the intake valves. It robs the cars of performance, efficiency, and smooth operation. There's only one reliable way to clean off the build-up, and that's a Walnut Shell Blasting Service. We'll be offering it at the Dragon for $350--less than half of what MINI dealerships charge to do the service. We have the factory tools to get it done right, and make your car run as it did when it was new.

Finally, we're working hard on Vehicle Coding for the Third (F Series) Generation of MINIs. There will be more information upcoming shortly on these deveopments.

 

Good to hear! With some luck, I hope to be down there this year myself.

 

Don't find the time, make the time! There will be at least two caravans going from Philly. You in?

 

Which days? I was hoping to head down on Thursday if I can get off.

 

I'll be leaving in a caravan from Philly on the Saturday the 25th and returning to Philly on Sunday the 3rd. It's worth taking off the whole week if you can find the time.

 

Or the lost pay. I don't have vacation time right now.

 

Typically, Mike, the blue-haired wonder heads down with his cronies on Sunday, and I head out on Monday AM.

Oh, and skip work, it's just money. Nobody really cares if you don't pay rent once in a while. Right? Right?

 

Exactly. Money's a scam anyway.

 

Are you scheduling the walnut blast service? I live a couple of hours away from MOTD and would like to come up on Saturday 5/02 to have this done. I'm under time constraints and would like it done in the morning or early afternoon as I have to be back on the road by 2:30 pm. I could also come up the following Saturday 5/09, if you'll still be up there and again would need to be on the way home by 2:30.

 

We could get you done first thing Saturday AM. Could you be there by 9 or 10 am?

Eric

 

No problem! would love the early morning ride up. I need to figure out the exact location of where to find you guys. Will you be on the NC side?

 

Yep, we'll be at Fontana Village. Give us a ding at the shop and we'll get you the details and set you up for Saturday. 267-335-4337

 

Guess I should have called last week I was speaking to you guys about scheduling the walnut blast for Saturday 4/02 @ Fontana Village. Can you still pencil me in for 11 am or whatever time you have available between 10am and 1pm?

 

Eric, as always it was fantastic to hang out and catch up.