Edge

I'd have to bring my Mustang to this theoretical match-up. (The JCW exhaust is nice, but it isn't crazy loud)

Check your PMs.

HAH! I knew it!

Yep, basically the same, without the red paint. The one "gotcha" I can think of is that new front brake lines may be needed, as I think the connection changed between generations. Note that the rear brakes did not fundamentally change at all until the 2nd Gen JCW BBK (i.e. what comes with 2nd Gen Factory JCWs), except for the parking brake cables.

That's a good question, I was wondering the same thing. In the 1st Gens, the factory LSD option was first introduced in the 01/2005 builds... I heard about it and actually delayed my order by a month or two so I could get it. I understand that MINI started to look towards an electronic solution instead of mechanical in the 2nd Gens, but I don't recall which year and model they did that.

LOL - it seems almost everyone there decided that they were interested! Likewise! :top:

That was indeed a blast! I can't wait for the season! Remember though, the actual event days won't be anywhere near as exhausting, since we'll be there for less than half the time (and less than half as many cones to pick up!). A huge congrats to Sherm for the FTD... VERY impressive, especially for a stock MINI! :congrats:

In case anyone was wondering (I was!), Bowie Baysox Stadium is also known as Prince George's Stadium. The full address is: 4101 Crain Hwy Bowie, MD 20716 ...according to Google Maps. See you all there at 9!

I'm still at work but I'm headed home shortly to prep. The only thing I'm not sure of is what I'm going to do for lunch. Maybe I'll just pick up some crappy pre-made sandwiches at the supermarket or 7-11. :embarassed:

Geno is right on the money. It happened to my MINI earlier last year. Turned out to be a bad steering angle sensor. If that's what it is, it's probably the front driver's side one. The tech told me that it's a weirdly designed/installed part and when one of the sensors fails, it's almost always that one.

Count me in the "chrome hater" camp. The only chrome I want on my MINI are the badges. I've managed to get rid of all the chrome except for inside the headlights and the taillights. Those are the toughest. I'm not a fan of the "CF" look either, I think it's played out... that's why I have a few CF pieces on my car that are painted or vinyled over. However, Laura is right - "youifying" our MINIs isn't about doing what other people like, it's about doing what you like, and that's all that matters! Ali - before you go wrapping your chrome hoops, you do realize you can just take them off and replace them with the black plastic ones from the R52 Cooper (Justa/Non-S), right? From this page on RealOEM.com: RealOEM.com BMW R52 Cooper Trim panel roll bar 06 Trim panel roll bar, front left PANTHER BLACK 51437123549 06 Trim panel roll bar, front right PANTHER BLACK 51437123550 07 Trim panel roll bar, rear left PANTHER BLACK 51437123551 07 Trim panel roll bar, rear right PANTHER BLACK 51437123552 Ballpark dealer pricing $13.25 each for the front covers, and $12 each for the rear covers. So the (very rough) price is $50.50... and I bet you can get them cheaper from an OEM parts dealer who doesn't jack up the prices. Just a suggestion! Or, you could find a R52 Cooper owner who likes chrome and wants to trade covers... free swap!

I don't even think I (or Craig) need to say anything to that one.

Audrey, let me put it to you this way... if you had ever been to MOTD before, this wouldn't even be a question for you. There's no MINI event like MOTD. None. It is that good. The awesome people and the gorgeous location combine into a slice of MINI utopia. I remember having doubts, concerns and nervousness the first time I went, back in 2005. My fears were completely gone on the first day, and now it holds an automatic and permanent place on my annual calendar - this will be my 8th one in a row. My work already knows and expects that I am taking that week off, every year. Yep, I take the entire week off, just for MOTD. Do whatever you have to do to make it... you won't regret it! And try your darnedest to take off an extra workday or two if you can, so you can come for even longer - again, you'll be glad you did. Every day spent there is a blessing! Same goes for anyone else "on the fence". Nothing else truly compares - no, not even MTTS, IMO.

Welcome to the DCMM forums! Nothing wrong with VWs... German engineering rocks! :rock:

OK. You know that MINI did manufacture a real CF dash for the 1st Gens, with matching CF downtubes, right?

Ali - the downtubes (that's what they are typically called) are indeed much more difficult to remove and reinstall on the refreshed 1st Gens (2005+). However, it can be done, because MINI techs do it all the time! Have you had one of them check it out before you give up? Now only if we knew a MINI tech... Hmmmm

Wish I could be there, even just to hang out with folks... but I had a big appointment with my MINI already today... it will be spending much of the day up on a lift! If the appointment finishes early enough where people are still at the Garage Day, I'll swing by.

Here's a direct link to it: MINI R53 Flash Tool « Revolution Motor Works

I wondered when you were going to decide to do the roof. Now it's starting to look like a red version of Soulfire!

Ummm... maybe I wasn't specific, but I wasn't wrong either.

That's a lot of vinyl!

Fixed.

Considering that they are both male, nothing at all!

Oh well, it's only until Monday.