MMatarella

Getting ready to move to Florida. Will be buying a house. I'm also sorta thinking about a T Bucket or 33 Ford Vicky rod. Selling the boat too, but just because I want to replace the cruiser with a more performance oriented toy.

Never mind, decided to keep her for after all.

And exhaust for my ears.

Nope selling that too! Have my eye on the next boat(s) already. Maybe I should offer a package deal, British car and British sailboat as a bundle with 'special' pricing!

It's a exodus! I'll be moving in a couple months as well. Taking the work with me. Alas there will be more wonderful life changes and as a result you'll all see my MINI going up for sale very shortly.

For me the first things that felt like mods were factory installed or supplied and somewhat uncommon. The Aerokit and the limited slip differential. As for mods like you mean, I'd say top notch non run flats and the 15% Pully on the performance side, and the Wet Okole seat covers for the appearance side. Ceramic brake pads a close second, as a APPEARANCE item. Not that you see the pads, but you sure see the effect!!!

I'm a fan of Adobe Premier Elements. Handles h.264 too if you're shooting Hi Def. About $80. You can also get it in a bundle with Photoshop Elements for about $140-150. Does a good job and will upload direct to Youtube if you are so inclined.

Hairy bears that live in the woods, or, Scarey bears that patrol the Dragon?

Anyone staying in the older dogwood cabins and such might want to consider binging some tupperware type stuff if you're going to have food in your cabin. I experienced an ant invasion of truly epic preportions in a matter of hours my first time in one of the older cabins.

I'll be there. Like Hamish my first one was 2005 and I'd only had the car about two months that first trip. Philipina won't make it I don't think as vacation time is in short supply for her still. I do want to get her down there if I can sometime soon for a quick trip at least. I'm narrowing in on when I'll be selling the car and would like to get her down there to experience it in the MINI prior to doing so. There will probably be a gap for a couple years before the toy that follows will make the trip. And that trip will be made from the south UP to the Dragon.

I'd check how many MINI's they've done. I know of cases where a highly recommended shop took 10 weeks for what should have been a two week job, due to lack of experience with MINIs.

Sorry I didn't see this in time, for everyone's info the Harober Freight set comes with a adapter with pin spacing that works on the MINI, goes on sale for $20 occasionally, and I have one anyone can borrow if they like.

You only say that because they aren't OEM. If they were... hahahahha

Almost certainly me if you mean the sourthern part of the parkway, tween Oldtown and Mt Vernon... Sorry I didn't see this sooner.

OK, I'm only a Gen 1 guy but this still applys gen 1 or gen 2. Given your premise I'll be the dissenting vote and say in my opinion the best bang for the buck you can get if you're into acceleration AND cornering is to invest in TIRES. It's not as much fun as discussing other mod's and tweaks but if you have stock OEM tires I don't think there's anything you can do for the same money that will give as great a difference in handling as some really good tires. And if you do the research the wonderful thing is they don't have to cost a arm and a leg. I did my first and second upgrades at once. Tires plus MUCH lighter wheels (16LB 6 oz each in 17 x 7). That big a reduction in unsprung weight not only improves ride and handling, but acceleration off the line a little bit too. (much less rotating mass). It cracks me up a little that people will spend huge money on something like a lightweight flywheel and be running around with close to 30 LB each wheels. The wheels also don't have to be that expensive though they certainly can be depending on what you choose. I believe at the time I got 4 Kosei 17 x 7 wheels and 4 Goodyear F1 GS-D3's (215/45 17) for about $1150 mounted, balanced, and delivered from Tirerack. Whatever path you choose have fun! It's a slippery slope down the mod hill but fun! :top:

I have a most of a can of color back sitting at home if anyone wants it. Had it for the van...

Have the factory one and it works great. No one can sit in back as was said.

A Curt hitch. One that hides away behind the fog light opening and can't be seen when not in use. I want to put a cargo platform on the back occasionally. Alas it turns out there was a mistake and the installer discovered it does NOT clear the rear fog light. It works with the black plastic cover if you don't have a fog light, but doesn't allow the depth to install the rear fog. Thye offered to remove it and put everything back as I was but I elected to keep it for now as I have a greater need for the hitch than the fog light in the next couple weeks. I've since discovered that the MINI do More hitch has two different length 'shanks' one of which will clear the fog. So, in a few weeks after my schedule slows down I'll buy that and swap. Y'all will see a low mileage Curt hitch for sale. Oh, got a "Objects in the mirror are losing' decal and one of those cool laser cut key shelf organizers with the MINI and palm trees.

...And the weather was so much better this year, and Sat and Sun so much better than I thought might be based on the predictions! My 6th year too. In a few days I'll have some pics and video uploaded, including of two black bears about 50 feet off the edge of 441 going into Gatlinburg. I had a great time as always, but sure was good to get back to my sweetie last night!

The problem is he said shipping to Fontana is a issue... They've had trouble before, even DCMM did with Dragon supplies as I recall

How about Fex Ex to something nearby, Robinsville maybe a mailing center, or a hotel someone is staying at? A NAM'er live in the Robbinsivlle or Asheville area or somewhere closer to civilization? Any one of a few hundred of us (myself included) will be glad to run you out to civilization to a drop place that FexEx can next day to Thursday a.m. I am planning on leaving here around 5 to meet up with the caravan at 6 in Centreville... I see MINI of Annapolis parts opens at 7am. If push comes to shove I could go there when they open. I'd have to do rush hour then back across the beltway. And I'd not get the part there till late late Wed then, vs. Fed Ex then next am. I'd rather drive you two hours from fontana and back Thur am than do the rush hour from Annapolis to 66 west but if that's what must be done I'll certianly do so... I'll check on here again this evening. I'm looking for the nearest dealer to there that it could fed ex to also... I'll pm you my phone # Edit: Looks like Greenville is closest dealer, just over 100 miles. maybe ship to a Mailboxes etc?

Thanks. Finally occured to me I COULD do it the prehistoric way and just write down his address ahead of time, and go to Post Office and pay. Duh! :embarassed:

How about having Annapolis Fed Ex em? I wish I'd seen this earlier this evening, but by the time I did they were closed anyway.

Thanks.

Anyone know if there is a 'business center' room with a pc and a PRINTER at Fontana?. I can't recall for sure but think I saw one at the lodge. I may need to print one page. I sold some stuff over a week ago on Ebay and one last loon still hasn't paid (terms were 24 hours). I may have to pack and bring it and print a label while there in case the guy ever pays. I should just make em wait if he does. But two wrongs don't make a right!