Edge

I've been leaning towards the iPhone / iPod Touch software Rev, and a wireless OBD II adapter. The idea of having a software-based solution that uses the big screen of my iPhone, and is customizable to show practically any gauge I want... is exceedingly cool. :rock:

Sorry, I have clear bra but not really any help on this. I suspect I'll be in the same boat as you before long. I have been told that the "generation" of clear bra has changed, and the new stuff is much better, more resistant to changing color, etc.

Tuning of the ECU only (I'll get around to posting my dyno graph at some point, although since it's for an R53 JCW, you may not be as interested). The actual ECU tuning was not done by Mach V, it was done by Jan Breugemann of Revolution Motor Works, who is well recognized in the wider MINI community for his MINI ECU tuning talent. He came in from California especially for the tuning event. The tuning was done at Mach V, using their (very conservative) dyno. If they end up doing another joint tuning event as Dan has indicated, I can't recommend it highly enough - provided of course that you feel you've done all of the engine mods you think you'll be doing. (Naturally, tuning works best when it's the last step and there are no more hardware changes planned). EDIT: I have posted the dyno graphs (and Mach Vs video of one of my pulls) here.

You actually get a bunch of them with your welcome package when you join the club.

Definitely get ahold of a code reader to find out what it is (before taking it to a dealer). While at MOTD, my car threw a CEL as well... I freaked out a little about it, because I had just had my MINI tuned on the Monday, right before heading to the event. The light ended up disappearing on its own. Chad @ Detroit Tuned took a look at it anyway, saw it was an O2 sensor error - he said that it sometimes happens in higher altitudes and not to worry too much about it, especially since it cleared itself. Of course, you're not up in the mountains and the light is staying on, isn't it? Check it out, for sure. The whole experience is making me consider getting an OBD II reader app for my iPhone (and required cable, of course).

The funny thing is... they're only 10 minutes apart, by highway. I know because I drove between them right before MOTD.

What do you know, you've always refused to drive him. Now that you know that Soulfire has slightly more torque than Mr. OEM, maybe you should try it!

Incidentally, all of you 1st Gen owners who know how to drive a manual are welcome to drive mine for ideas. (bad influence? Nah! :laugh:) 2nd Genners can drive it too, but obviously the ideas won't necessarily transfer. VERY different feel.

Oh I have no doubt it's a collaborative effort. I just remember stopping by your table when you were all eating at the Grill, and me pointing out the 3 basic 1st Gen MCS mods: Pulley, Intake, Exhaust... then tune after that. I had a feeling that me hammering those points home had some impact in the equation.

As a single guy without any kids, I can't help you much with the kid question (although I have seen some couples do it), but I do want to mention one thing about the factory JCW, especially since you're performance oriented. Be aware that although it has the most powerful factory MINI engine ever created (thus far), and also has the largest factory brakes, both of which perform exceedingly well... the factory JCW comes equipped as standard with with the baseline suspension option (just like the S does). This completely defeats the concept, in my opinion, as the biggest selling point of a MINI is how it handles, and the factory JCW is supposed to be the flagship! A performance-oriented potential MINI buyer may want to take this into account, and either budget for getting the JCW suspension installed by the dealer or look at some aftermarket options. Best of luck in your search! Should you end up taking the plunge, I hope you'll consider joining the club too.

Who, innocent little me? :saint: Many of my MINI-owning friends eventually come around to saying "You're a bad influence" or "You're an expensive friend to know!". :embarassed:

...and now technically you're ahead of Ali since you already have intake and exhaust. However, enough can not be said about the fact that brakes and suspension are just as (if not more) important!

Nothing major here... rear calipers and rear sway bar painted red, new sunroof vinyl... oh yeah, and new rear suspension bolts since mine were bent. :embarassed:

Nice list. Worth noting though, the JCW suspension isn't just springs: 1st Gen MINIs: Shocks and springs. 2nd Gen MINIs: Shocks, springs, rear sway bar, front sway bar. For both models: Different part numbers (within each model) depending on the spec of your MINI (primarily auto vs. manual, sunroof vs. not). Also, the JCW suspension is not available for the Clubman nor the convertibles. Hardtop only.

In case anyone is wondering what it looks like from the outside: http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aJ5j2x63TJw/S-OEFuy6CQI/AAAAAAAAAF0/MFS18B7F5jA/s1024/IMG_0

More accurately, it's the first weekend in May (and the days proceeding it, starting Wednesday).

That was awesome... my 6th one, but I think it may well be my most memorable. It was especially wonderful to see so many "Dragon virgins" from DCMM there this year. I hope you all can now see why it has become a permanent fixture on many of our calendars. Let's make next year even better! :top:

It seems my post on the wall of the MOTD Facebook page has born fruit - someone who is arriving this afternoon is bringing two of the bolts. Bill, Ali, THANK YOU for your efforts - I will still buy any of the bolts you bring, reimburse you for your additional mileage, and buy you both lunch (or a beer or something) for your trouble! You guys are awesome. See you soon. (having spares is not a bad thing - once this is all resolved, perhaps I'll give them to Detroit Tuned to keep in stock for the next person that needs them!)

I really don't go on NAM any more so I'll avoid that option, but I just posted on the MOTD wall. If I don't get a solution by tomorrow mid-morning, I'll try contacting MINI of Nashville to see if any are in stock. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

I don't think there are any dealerships "along the way" for the routes people are taking. Same parts database, but it's NOT a BMW part. It is only used on 2nd Gen MINIs (and the GP). Laura drove me in to Robbinsville this afternoon and ACE Hardware had some bolts that MIGHT work, but even if they do, they are only rated with a strength of 8.8, and the OEM bolts are 10.9. I really don't want to use a weaker bolt for such an important role. Not yet, no. Thanks Craig, but as I mentioned above, I don't think there are any other dealerships on the I-81 route. There's one in Nashville but that's way out of the way. I may end up resorting to that if no other option pans out, but shipping stuff to Fontana Village is notoriously slow and even unreliable at times. I've dealt with it before.

Crap. I hope someone who lives in MD won't mind a detour to MoA before they leave for MOTD! :embarassed:

Help! Detroit Tuned at MOTD has found a serious problem with the rear suspension on my MINI. I need 2 special bolts only available from MINI. Can someone who is still in town PLEASE call the local dealers, see if they have the part in stock, and if so, PLEASE stop by and pick them up for me before heading down? The part number is: 33326770089 Many thanks - hoping and praying one of you can help. My MINI is undrivable without these bolts!

FYI - there's a downside to doing that... the Calendar and Events forum are both public, so your phone numbers would be visible to the entire Internet if you put them in your RSVP. Perhaps a group PM would be a better alternative?

Interestingly enough, according to Tail of the Dragon, I-40 opened TODAY (Sunday) at 6pm, several days earlier than announced before. I might just take that route tomorrow instead of I-26.

You guys should have the I-40 option directly from I-81, as it is scheduled to open up on Tuesday. I'm probably going to do it this way, since I'm leaving on Monday: I-66 I-81 I-26 to Asheville Then on from there (40, 74, 28). A word of warning to anyone else who decides to take that route though... I've done it once before - there are lots of speedtraps on I-26. It's a shame too, as it has some nice fast bends up in the mountains - beautiful drive. Cruise control is your friend.