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Edge

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  1. Edge
    Oh I can't wait... I just need to find a partner in crime. :evil:
  2. Edge
    Members - check the Clubhouse forum please.
  3. Edge
    Catalina, I'm happy to give you a ride too.
  4. Edge
    07 was indeed the first year of the hard to 2nd Gens... but I can't speak to the sound comparison being asked. A 2nd Gen MCS with the JCW upgrade kit is not the same thing as a "Factory JCW". In 1st Gens, they were the same thing (same parts, same end results). The 2nd Gen Factory JCW is a completely different animal then the dealer installed JCW upgrade. Now, they might sound similar, I haven't done a side-by-side comparison... but the parts involved (most especially in the engine itself) are very much different.
  5. Edge
    I suspect that depends on the quality of the ECU tune. I'm glad you like it, because nothing feels worse than feeling like your money was wasted! I'm very happy with the responsiveness of the custom dyno tune I got from RMW Jan @ Mach V in 2010, so I'll be passing on this one. There are a whole bunch of threads and discussions with differing opinions on NAM (here's one), and a good (13-page!) technical white paper analysis (here) - worth looking into for more perspective... but Geno's offer for a demo is generous and certainly worth a try. My final take - if you want a simple mod that makes your throttle more responsive, is easy to add (and easy to remove), and don't mind spending over $300 on it... go for it. If however your ultimate goal is also more power, the money is better spent towards a good custom tune that can both improve throttle response and increase power. It really depends on what you want from the car.
  6. Edge
    My opinion... it's a poor substitute for a proper ECU tune. The Sprint Booster doesn't actually increase the power of your engine... it remaps the throttle to make it more responsive, in much the same way as 2nd Gens with the Sport button. Much of the same thing (although not exactly) can be achieved by pushing the gas pedal harder/further/faster. Some people like it though... but a good ECU tune will have this effect anyway, and actually increase engine power.
  7. Edge
    LOL apparently she skimmed when she did it because she listed her MINI as a "Justa" Cooper, not a Cooper S. :laugh:
  8. Edge
    And I know a certain MINI tech who always takes care of me and other DCMM folks. Thanks again for being such an awesome guy. :top:
  9. Edge
    I'm registered too.
  10. Edge
    until
    <p>It's that time of the year again! Spring is in the air, old man Winter is running off to hide, and the trees are starting to blossom!</p> <p> </p> <p>Just like I <a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/dc-metro-minis-archive/131437-sunday-apr-6th-and-20th-spring-fling-2008-sunday-drive-and-brunch.html" rel="external nofollow">did</a> <a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/dc-metro-minis-archive/131437-sunday-apr-6th-and-20th-spring-fling-2008-sunday-drive-and-brunch.html" rel="external nofollow">in</a> <a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/showthread.php?t=286" rel="external nofollow">previous</a> <a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1413" rel="external nofollow">years</a>, I'm organizing the Spring Fling run again, this time on <strong>Sunday</strong><strong>, April 15</strong>. Generally speaking, I prefer to organize this event for the weekend following tax day... but this year I have to do it earlier for these reasons:</p> <p> </p> <p></p> <ul><li>The IRS has extended the tax deadline to Tuesday, April 17<br /></li> <li>I have a work-related commitment on the following weekend (April 21/22), and the weekend after <em>that</em> (April 28/29) is immediately prior to MOTD, which would make things difficult for many people.<br /></li> </ul><p></p> <p>So... save the date for Sunday, April 15! Even if you haven't finished your taxes by then, you'll still have 2 more nights after that to do them!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>WHERE TO MEET:</strong> Sterling Wegmans parking lot (North-East corner). The address is 45131 Columbia Place, Sterling, VA 20166</p> <p><strong>WHEN:</strong> Sunday, April 15 @ 9:00am. Driver's meeting at 9:50am. We depart at 10am <strong>sharp!</strong> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Don't be late!</strong></span></p> <p><strong>RUN DISTANCE:</strong> <strong><span style="color:#0000FF;">68.2 miles (morning) + 69.4 miles (afternoon) = 137.6 miles total.</span></strong> Easy "early exits" available in afternoon at 85.9 miles (Rt 66), 94.2 miles (Rt 50), 106 miles (Rt 7).</p> <p><strong>RUN TIME:</strong> Approx 6.5 hours - we will return to the Wegmans parking lot at approx. 4:30pm.</p> <p><strong>WHAT TO BRING:</strong> Full tank of gas, 2-way radio, money to buy lunch (cash please - makes it easier for the check), sweater/raincoat/umbrella (if necessary, depending on weather) and a fun-loving attitude! :top:</p> <p> </p> <p>A quick refresher:</p> <p> </p> <p>One of my fondest MINI-related memories is the very first drive I ever participated in with DCMM - it was the Spring Fling, created by Bruce Pancoast (<a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/member.php?u=68" rel="external nofollow">mty_mini</a>), and organized with help from Jen Oakes (<a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/member.php?u=79" rel="external nofollow">Jen</a>) (who was our event coordinator at the time). This all happened on Sunday, April 24, 2005... only 6 or 7 weeks after I picked up my brand new MINI. Alan (<a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/member.php?u=2" rel="external nofollow">Scavenger</a>), who was getting his first exposure to the MINI, came along as my co-pilot.</p> <p> </p> <p>Meeting in the Sterling Wegmans parking lot (near MINI of Sterling), it was fun to meet a whole bunch of like-minded MINIacs all at once, for the first time. Little did I know just how much fun there was still to come... after grabbing some coffee and/or breakfast snacks from Wegmans.</p> <p> </p> <p>The roads were beautiful and twisty, and was such an awesome experience to be in a long line of MINIs for the very first time. We stopped for lunch at Orlean Market <span style="color:#000000;">in Upperville, VA</span> (in western Fauquier County), then continued on for wine tasting at Naked Mountain Vineyard & Winery after that, before heading all the way back to Wegmans.</p> <p> </p> <p>It was a long day (128 miles or so!), but <strong>so</strong> nice. Needless to say, I was eager to do this run again.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our lunch stop will be again be at <a href="http://www.griffintavern.com/" rel="external nofollow">Griffin Tavern</a> (<a href="http://www.griffintavern.com/menu_brunch.cfm?PageName=BrunchMenu" rel="external nofollow">brunch menu</a>), since Orlean Market closed down a number of years ago. Unfortunately, since it is "Sunday brunch", the menu is more limited than their regular menu, but they still have their famous Shepherd's Pie! Also, the manager told me that they can make some accommodations if advance notice is given.</p> <p> </p> <p><span><strong>NOTE:</strong></span><span> The plan is to have </span><span><strong>1 check per table</strong></span><span>, so to make things easier to sort out, please bring sufficient cash to cover your portion of the check.</span></p> <p> </p> <p>For those interested or curious:</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/dc-metro-minis-archive/39093-dcmm-sunday-drive-and-brunch-sunday-april-24-10-00-am.html" rel="external nofollow">Original Spring Fling thread (2005)</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/dc-metro-minis-archive/131437-sunday-apr-6th-and-20th-spring-fling-2008-sunday-drive-and-brunch.html" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2008 thread</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/showthread.php?t=286" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2009 thread</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/showthread.php?t=840" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2010 thread</a></p> <p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=45131+Columbia+Pl,+Sterling,+VA+20166&daddr=Loudoun+County+Pkwy+to:Ryan+Rd%2FVA-772+to:VA-860%2FWatson+Rd+to:US-50+to:Lime+Kiln+Rd%2FVA-733+to:Mountville+Rd+to:Foxcroft+Rd%2FVA-626+to:38.969557,-77.73635+to:Pickering+St+to:Atoka+Rd%2FVA-713+to:Atoka+Rd%2FVA-713+to:Grove+Ln%2FVA-55+to:Grove+Ln%2FVA-55+to:Free+State+Rd%2FVA-721+to:659+Zachary+Taylor+Hwy,+VA+22627&geocode=%3BFYU9UwIdQRRi-w%3BFRjuUgIdI0Bh-w%3BFeNQUwIdCzRg-w%3BFVSSUgId6rNf-w%3BFRajUwIdLW1f-w%3BFVhfUwIdiwVe-w%3BFeU4UwId3YVd-w%3B%3BFbicUgIdvc5d-w%3BFaa4UgIdurxc-w%3BFR6uUgIdxLRc-w%3BFfuJUQIdPidb-w%3BFX8JUQIdZ51b-w%3BFeRiUAId3Ftb-w%3B&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=8&sz=18&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13,14&sll=38.969006,-77.736731&sspn=0.003032,0.004013&ie=UTF8&ll=38.863236,-77.711792&spn=0.621262,1.058807&z=10" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2010 Morning Route on Google Maps</a></p> <p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=659+Zachary+Taylor+Hwy,+VA+22627&daddr=Hume+Rd+to:Leeds+Manor+Rd%2FVA-688+to:Leeds+Manor+Rd%2FVA-688+to:Blueridge+Mountain+Rd%2FVA-601+to:Snickersville+Pike%2FSnickersville+Turnpike%2FVA-734+to:Jeb+Stuart+Rd%2FVA-630+to:39.050085,-77.734559+to:Snickersville+Turnpike%2FVA-734+to:Loudoun+County+Pkwy%2FMoran+Rd%2FOld+Ox+Rd%2FVA-606+to:45131+Columbia+Pl,+Sterling,+VA+20166&geocode=%3BFVqeUAIdiDNY-w%3BFZjjUAIdFuJZ-w%3BFSm8UQIdw9ZZ-w%3BFSBfUwIdrmZa-w%3BFSHAVAIdZ25c-w%3BFRf1UwIdLspd-w%3B%3BFUw7UwIdPHxe-w%3BFdsqUgIdFiph-w%3B&hl=en&mra=dme&mrcr=1&mrsp=7&sz=16&via=1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9&sll=39.052335,-77.733314&sspn=0.012114,0.01605&ie=UTF8&ll=38.863236,-77.711792&spn=0.621262,1.058807&z=10" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2010 Afternoon Route on Google Maps</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1413" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2011 thread</a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=831&d=1366758085" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2012 Route Sheet</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=416&d=1333515370" rel="external nofollow">Spring Fling 2012 Waiver Form</a></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>NOTE: All non-member drivers are expected to sign a waiver before participating.</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>NOTE #2: Due to severe size limitations from the local wineries, we do not participate in wine tasting any more. </strong>However, you are welcome to order yourself a glass of wine with lunch at Griffin Tavern. </p> <p> </p> <p>Hope to see many of you out there again!</p> <p> </p> <p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Please be sure to RSVP as soon as you know for sure whether you're coming or not, so we can give a reasonably accurate head count to Griffin Tavern. They have given us a hard cap of 60 people, so if we reach that number, RSVPs will be closed.</strong></span></p>
  11. Edge
    It's that time of the year again! Spring is in the air, old man Winter is running off to hide, and the trees are starting to blossom! Just like I did in previous years, I'm organizing the Spring Fling run again, this time on Sunday, April 15. Generally speaking, I prefer to organize this event for the weekend following tax day... but this year I have to do it earlier for these reasons: The IRS has extended the tax deadline to Tuesday, April 17 I have a work-related commitment on the following weekend (April 21/22), and the weekend after that (April 28/29) is immediately prior to MOTD, which would make things difficult for many people. So... save the date for Sunday, April 15! Even if you haven't finished your taxes by then, you'll still have 2 more nights after that to do them! WHERE TO MEET: Sterling Wegmans parking lot (North-East corner). The address is 45131 Columbia Place, Sterling, VA 20166 WHEN: Sunday, April 15 @ 9:00am. Driver's meeting at 9:50am. We depart at 10am sharp! Don't be late! RUN DISTANCE: 68.2 miles (morning) + 69.4 miles (afternoon) = 137.6 miles total. Easy "early exits" available in afternoon at 85.9 miles (Rt 66), 94.2 miles (Rt 50), 106 miles (Rt 7). RUN TIME: Approx 6.5 hours - we will return to the Wegmans parking lot at approx. 4:30pm. WHAT TO BRING: Full tank of gas, 2-way radio, money to buy lunch (cash please - makes it easier for the check), sweater/raincoat/umbrella (if necessary, depending on weather) and a fun-loving attitude! :top: A quick refresher: One of my fondest MINI-related memories is the very first drive I ever participated in with DCMM - it was the Spring Fling, created by Bruce Pancoast (mty_mini), and organized with help from Jen Oakes (Jen) (who was our event coordinator at the time). This all happened on Sunday, April 24, 2005... only 6 or 7 weeks after I picked up my brand new MINI. Alan (Scavenger), who was getting his first exposure to the MINI, came along as my co-pilot. Meeting in the Sterling Wegmans parking lot (near MINI of Sterling), it was fun to meet a whole bunch of like-minded MINIacs all at once, for the first time. Little did I know just how much fun there was still to come... after grabbing some coffee and/or breakfast snacks from Wegmans. The roads were beautiful and twisty, and was such an awesome experience to be in a long line of MINIs for the very first time. We stopped for lunch at Orlean Market in Upperville, VA (in western Fauquier County), then continued on for wine tasting at Naked Mountain Vineyard & Winery after that, before heading all the way back to Wegmans. It was a long day (128 miles or so!), but so nice. Needless to say, I was eager to do this run again. Our lunch stop will be again be at Griffin Tavern (brunch menu), since Orlean Market closed down a number of years ago. Unfortunately, since it is "Sunday brunch", the menu is more limited than their regular menu, but they still have their famous Shepherd's Pie! Also, the manager told me that they can make some accommodations if advance notice is given. NOTE: The plan is to have 1 check per table, so to make things easier to sort out, please bring sufficient cash to cover your portion of the check. For those interested or curious: Original Spring Fling thread (2005) Spring Fling 2008 thread Spring Fling 2009 thread Spring Fling 2010 thread Spring Fling 2010 Morning Route on Google Maps Spring Fling 2010 Afternoon Route on Google Maps Spring Fling 2011 thread Spring Fling 2012 Route Sheet Spring Fling 2012 Waiver Form NOTE: All non-member drivers are expected to sign a waiver before participating. NOTE #2: Due to severe size limitations from the local wineries, we do not participate in wine tasting any more. However, you are welcome to order yourself a glass of wine with lunch at Griffin Tavern. Hope to see many of you out there again! Please be sure to RSVP as soon as you know for sure whether you're coming or not, so we can give a reasonably accurate head count to Griffin Tavern. They have given us a hard cap of 60 people, so if we reach that number, RSVPs will be closed.
  12. Edge
    So sorry that you guys won't make it, Jono... once you do go, you'll ALWAYS go! I was talked into it when I'd only had my MINI for about a month, and that was almost 7 years ago... and I haven't missed one since.
  13. Edge
    I respect your opinion but I take exception to it.
  14. Edge
    I'm going, of course... it holds a permanent place on my annual calendar, ever since I went the first time in 2005. 8 straight! Not as good as Katie's perfect 10 record, but not shabby either. I'm signed up for the Welcome Dinner, Bingo, Brew Swap and Farewell Dinner. I'll probably be helping Barry (Snooter) with the panoramic photo on Saturday morning, as I usually do.
  15. Edge
    Thanks for the suggestion, Laura - that might be a good place to check out for a future event, like one of our monthly club dinners (or lunches). I've been to Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington (my take - good but not quite worth the level of fuss over it... I lean towards Five Guys), but I've never been to a Ray's The Steaks.
  16. Edge
    If it was manufactured on or before January 18, 2011, then yes, it's included. The Countryman S All4 is still a 2nd Gen S with the same engine as the others.
  17. Edge
    I think people tend to overreact to news like this. While it is obviously a real issue and should be addressed, bear in mind that some of these affected MINIs have been on the road for up to 5 1/2 years without burning up (i.e. 2007 models). The chances of your MINI catching on fire between now and the next couple of months are extremely small. It also helps to know that although there have been a small number of fires (relative to the number of affected MINIs out there), nobody has died or become injured from this issue.
  18. Edge
    Laura - I learned to drive in DC myself (also stick), many years ago. I hear what you are saying about Adam's Morgan - parking in that area can be a nightmare, both in terms of availability (especially on weekend nights!) and in terms of dents and general carelessness. However, in this case, those problems are mitigated by two factors: The event is on a Sunday evening, not a Friday or Saturday night The parking garage is available (I certainly plan on using it!) If a bunch of us use the parking garage, we'll likely end up parking next to one another, which often happens at these types of events. Safety in numbers! Who can you trust to not dent your MINI but a fellow MINI owner? As for your friends who are "afraid" to drive in DC, it's largely irrational, and you know that. The solution to overcome that fear is to actually do it. Yes, parts of DC are "bad" in terms of the crime rate... but we don't have events in those areas. I too have had friends with the same fear, and I just tell them to "man up" and that it's really not the post-apocalyptic anarchy they seem to imagine. Incidentally, I also have other friends with a similarly irrational fear of driving outside their state... in other words, Marylanders who don't want to go into Virginia, and Virginians who don't want to go into Maryland. It's just a river, people! :stupid: Navigation systems have largely solved the "I don't know where I'm going and don't want to get lost in an area I don't know" issue. The bottom line is this - we are DC Metro MINIs, and we should definitely be including DC proper in our coverage area. I'm actually kinda happy that we're having an official DCMM event hosted entirely in DC for a change. I hope that you and your fiancé can still make it!
  19. Edge
    No such thing, Ali.
  20. Edge
    Fixed. You can't embed a web page as an image. You have to link to the image itself.
  21. Edge
    Yeah I was very disappointed at how short and motorcycle-focused (I can appreciate them being the primary focus but how about mentioning all of the varied sports car groups that come too?) the Dragon piece was. Blink and you missed it. Seems they spent at least triple the time on the small off road group. I watched the entire show and I doubt I'll ever record and watch it again, unless it's for a special piece like this one was.
  22. Edge
    Thanks for the heads up, Ali! I have set my DVR. However, my cable channel guide has this description for tonight's episode: Living through the Joplin tornado. Beats me... maybe it's mis-listed? :dontknow: EDIT: Nevermind... I went to the Travel Channel website and here's the full description: America's Wildest Roads: Wet & Wild A trucker barely escapes the deadly 2011 Joplin Missouri tornado in Tornado Alley. A biker club cruises a Tennessee road with over 518 hairpin turns. TV-G, CC So yep - tonight is it! Mind you, they were off on the number of turns by 200. LOL
  23. Edge
    Ali - do these help? (direct from Ford's site) I don't think it's a "full" SUV, but a "crossover":
  24. Edge
    Welcome Austin (and Sheri!) - happy you've found our forums. Glad to hear you'll be joining the club too... you don't have to wait until January though... at this point all new memberships are 2012 memberships! :top: Looking forward to meeting you at an event soon. :motor:
  25. Edge
    I didn't now that, but I like that law! (I hate driving barefoot myself, and I can totally understand how flip-flops are dangerous for driving). Good info, thanks Marty!
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