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Lunch Break Restaurants and GPX file are posted! Luray Run (20OCT24).gpx Luray Run Resturants.pptx

This is a long shot but are the runs still available?

@1975_mini ? Any connections, or is this something you can do?

I'm debating on adding some graphics to my Mini (bonnet/boot) but living in an Apartment building makes it a bit more difficult to do myself. Are there any shops that will de-wax the car and apply graphics that I purchase separately? Or any shops that can make/apply Mini or custom graphics? Especially any with club connections would be great. Thanks!

I did consider it, but I'm not really wanting to put a receiver on my JCW. Especially since I don't haul my bike very often.

Hi Corey, Great advice and information. Thank you very much! -Mike

Have you guys considered a 3rd party Reese hitch options for the Gen3s. Here a link to one from outmotoring. https://www.outmotoring.com/MINI-Cooper-F55-F56-F57-hidden-trailer-hitch-receiver-f55-f56-f57-four-door-hatchback-convertible-drawbar-wiring-harness-2014-2015-2016-2017-2018-2019-2020-2021-mount-kit-MINI-do-more.html Then you can use any Reese mount options, at likely half the cost to dealer.

Welcome Mike, BLUF: IMO, if you only want one set, PS4 all-season will handle the weather here no issue. If you want two sets all seasons and a nice summer tire. ----------------------------------------- Just my option, winters are a bit of overkill around here, all-seasons are fine for our temperatures. When we get snow most everything is shut down until the streets are cleared and that is usually within a day. Unless you are on unpaved roads you will only in an extreme occasion be driving on snow covered roads. We have Michelin PS4 all-weather on both of our MINIs that we lead runs for the club in. I feel I set a decent pace on them. I also have ultra-performance summers (200tw), but really only use them for performance driving (autocross, track events, etc...). You will be fine using the winters on any runs you join for the end of this year until it warms up. That will be the biggest thing with the blizzaks, they will heat up quick with the blockier tread and then wear faster pushing them on backroads. You don't need to replace them immediately, just swap them out going into spring. Again welcome and look forward to seeing you at an event soon. -Corey

Hello MINIacs, I am new to the MINI world and look forward to joining the group in person soon for one of the weekend rides. I recently purchased a 2017 2-dr JCW from New York, and it came with Blizzaks (year code 2023) on the stock wheels. I'm guessing the previous owner had a set of summer tires on aftermarket wheels. I have a couple of questions/thoughts I'd like to ask more experienced MINIacs than myself... 1. How would you feel about running Blizzaks on some spirited driving like on the Oct 20 or Nov 2 runs coming up? Too warm to run that kind of tire? What are the negative aspects of spirited driving a winter tire in warmer temps - faster degradation, any safety concerns, etc.? 2. What would you do in my situation with these relatively new Blizzaks? A couple options I am considering are: Replace the Blizzaks now with Michelin PS All Seasons (what to do with the Blizzaks then?) Ride out the Blizzaks through winter and in the spring, get a set of aftermarket wheels with Michelin PS 4S's and keep the stock wheel/Blizzak setup for the winter Maybe some other option I'm not thinking about... I just moved to DC in June so I'm not sure how cold it gets here over the winter. I called GT Peace last week when I was thinking about getting some Pilot Sport All Seasons through them, and they seemed to lean toward keeping the Blizzaks on through the winter and doing a summer tire on aftermarket wheels in the Spring. What do you think? Thanks for your time and help! Mike

Sorry guys was looking forward to this run, but won't make it. Enjoy

Please buy your calf-feeding tickets if you haven't already. (cross posted, currently six MINIs attending) Weather looks perfect! Join us! (This is a re-do of a very popular Frederick County drive during MTTS 2022. Since the priority list was MTTS Out-of_Stater's - two full sessions - this is the "locals" chance I promised to run)

Event Title: Luray VA Run-New Date! Event Date: 10/20/2024 10:00 AM to 10/20/2024 02:45 PM Event Address: Please join us for a Sunday run to Luray and back through Virginia’s rolling countryside. Our drive will begin at the Walmart in Haymarket where we will head west through the rolling countryside of Virginia. We will make a quick bio-break in Front Royal before heading to one of the finest twisty roads in the Shenandoah Valley. Nicknamed the Valley within a Valley, Fort Valley Road will wind us along Passage Creek before rising to Edith’s Gap Lookout where you will see a stunning view of the valley towards Luray. A quick 90 degree turn at the base of the mountain, over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, and we will arrive in Luray, Virginia. At this point, we will have a bite to eat in Luray before beginning our drive back to Haymarket. We will wind our way over the mountain and under Skyline Drive before cruising through the quaint town of Washington. We will continue traveling on some twisties until we reach our destination of The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. If you would like to head to Luray Caverns and break away from the main group, just let me know when we stop for our bite to eat, and I will give you directions to the Caverns. So, if you like quick twisties, beautiful scenery and relaxing old town charm, you won’t want to miss this Little Virginia Journey. Start Point: Walmart – 6530 Trading Sq, Haymarket, VA End Point: The Farm Brewery at Broad Run – 16015 John Marshall Hwy, Broad Run, VA (Really Haymarket) Schedule of events: 10:00 - Driver’s Meeting 10:15 - Run Starts 11:00 - Bio-break McDonalds, Front Royal 12:15 - Arrive Luray, Lunch at either Ollie Cafe or West Main Market Garden 1:15 - Leave Luray 2:45 - End run at The Farm Brewery at Broad Run, Haymarket RSVP on the event here: RSVP on the event here:

Backroads Always!!

Sounds good. Will this be on I-95 or via back roads?

I'm thinking I might try some less permanent mount options. They are pricey as well but if they hold and don't damage the car or require modifications it might be worth it. I'm going to wait out this season and maybe look for a Winter sale, if I decide on something I'll post it here. Good luck! would love to see what you end up with as well.

Nope. I haven’t done anything so far. Best I can tell, best option may be to have the dealer install the bike rack bumper mods, but it’s pricey.

Were you able to find anything? I've been debating on what type of bike rack to use on my 2020 F56. Would love to hear any advice. Thanks.

Hi Andrew, welcome to DCMM, I'm sure the gearheads on here will be happy to engage with you on all things MINI repairs

Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Andrew. I live in Alexandria, VA, USA. I have a MY12 Mini Countryman S ALL4 with 120k miles. I recently started working on a lot of overdue service items. I replaced the timing chain, oil pump and chain, water pump and its pulley, friction wheel, coolant pipe, and thermostat. I walnut blasted the intake valves and performed a fuel injection service through the rail. This was the first time I've done any of thise work, and I learned a lot. I'm happy to answer any questions and hope to learn from the community. Thanks

We're excited that you found us Mike. I think you're going to love your MINI, for a car guy, the JCW is the way to go, lots of power packed in that lil' MINI. The one thing that new MINI owners probably don't know about is the MINI community. We are a very active world wide community with events ranging from MINI Takes The States hosted by MINI USA themselves, down to local clubs events in every state. Please let us know if you have any questions

Hello MINIacs, I was looking for an "Introduction" section on the forum but couldn't find one. Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong spot. I just purchased my first MINI, and it's a 2017 JCW... well, you saw the details in the subject line. I have been a "car guy" since birth and am quite excited about this new driving experience. Previous notable vehicles include a 2007 Audi RS4 sedan (2 of them, actually), a 2016 Mercedes-Benz C 63 S sedan, a 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser, and a couple motorcycles (Royal Enfield, Buell). So yeah, a front-wheel drive, turbocharged 4 cylinder hot hatch is definitely a different type of car than I'm used to. But I'm super pumped about it! I'm also new to DC and have already poked around a little on the forum about trustworthy shops (sounds like GT Peace is the way to go), aftermarket wheels, and group rides. I'm hoping I'll be able to join on some rides soon and get to know members of the community better in person. See you soon! Mike

I finally picked up my 03 Chili R50 with 183k from my mechanic today!!,had to replace my alternator again! I just had another Mechanic install a new alternator,head gasket, replaced cooling system parts and flush radiator in Jan, and the day I got her back I drove 9 miles and when I stopped and turned the ignition off the coolant overflow container cap blew off and was doing exactly what I just paid to have fixed,well he forgot to put the belt back on when he put her back together. So he met me in the shopping center parking lot and was scratching his head as to why it happened,and I pointed out that he didn't replace the belt!! So I went to my local Auto Zone that I have an account with and told them I needed a new serpentine belt, so they verified that I needed it for the Mini I have in my garage. And the mechanic installed it and immediately when I started it we heard a loud squeal, and I told him something isn't right, either the tension or alignment was off,he disagreed and said that some oil had gotten on the pulley,of which I disagreed with but it was Super Bowl Sunday evening, drizzling and dark so I decided that I would deal with him tomorrow. So It continues to Squeal Everytime I started it for the 1st time everyday mainly, and then he stopped returning my calls and messages (He has a garage and works on the side). I eventually gave up on him standing behind his work and learned my lesson! The car ran great,38-40 mpg no overheating didn't burn 1 drop of oil! But still squealed.I was ISO finding someone that could check it out an exactly 2 mths later,I had checked my oil &coolant before heading out that night and the oil was a smidge low for the 1st time. Didn't go into a panic,but was aware Drove 6 miles and the clock went out then the instrument panel, headlights etc,and I knew it was the alternator because I had the same thing just happen in Jan. So I had it towed to a well respected man in my area and ordered a new alternator and he installed it and after installing the belt started fraying before we even took it on the road! So Auto Zone had sold me the wrong belt to begin with. I am dealing with that issue as we chat. So today when I picked it up , everything ran great, but for some odd reason my sunroof will not work? Never had an issue with it B4, then my stock stereo displayed, DISABLE!Never have had any issues with the Hardon Kardon factory stereo either?? I have looked at my Haynes manual,Owners manual and googled both. Checked fuses,reset the ECU,tried to reset the sunroof as instructed on my Google searches. Nothing.i unhooked my battery and waited a little bit and reconnected it and now it's dead?? WTHEAVEN IS WRONG?? Any advice will be greatly appreciated and will send good vibes your way. I don't understand why the battery would have died? I stopped at a few places on my way home and didn't have any issues starting it. Got the battery last Oct. and the car was out of commission pretty much from Oct til Feb.

Event Title: Cider Donut Run to the Farm Event Date: 11/02/2024 09:45 PM Event Address: Join us on a run from Dumfries, VA to Miller’s Farm on the last weekend of their Fall Festival, buy your tickets in advance if you want to explore the corn maze. The baked goods shop should be open to all, for donuts, pie, bread pudding and other delights. Driver’s Meeting at 9:45AM Drive starts at 10AM. We hope to have everyone there by 1:30PM. https://www.millerfarmsclinton.com/fall-hayrides RSVP on the event here: