cameroon

This would be the rattle associated with cold weather, or a different issue? 'Cause I recently joined the "it's cold outside, the engine has a nasty rattle for the first mile" club.

Awesome event Laura, thanks to you and everyone else who helped organize it!

Yeah, I figure running the stock tires 'til their dead made more sense then buying a new set Probably go with a winter tire, the question will end up being RFT or not. Winter, to me, is the best time of year to have RFTs if you're going to have them. Who wants to be stuck on 495 in 20 degree weather

I'll chime in with Edge, depending on what kind of summer tire you have, you could very well find yourself driving around on concrete tires when the weather turns cold Both when I visited my dad (up north of Pittsburgh) and last week or so with the low night temps the performance of my tires dropped off dramatically (an "Extreme" summer compound, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec ... they apparently felt a shorter name just wouldn't cut it). It's why I kept my stock wheels with all seasons around; an easy change once the weather required it. Which seems like it will be soon.

Adner, it's definitely the automatic kickdown - when you push the throttle to the floor, it'll downshift because it assumes you want to accelerate There are a lot of automatic transmissions these days that do that, in fact you can read more about it in the Wikipedia if you'd like Just scroll down (or click on) section 6. I think if I had the option for a dual-clutch "automatic manual" like in current, higher end sports cars that I'd be for it. Having driven automatics all my life until the car right before the Mini, though, I really like having a manual - even in DC traffic Only time I hate it is when I'm stuck on like 267 headed west during rush hour [edit] I should add that I have nothing against people's choices of what they drive - after all, you're driving it for you to have fun

Argh, unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it now. :banghead:

Welcome to the Laser Blue club! And another to join those of us with white roof & wheels!

Awesome run Rab, thanks for putting it together! Pictures will have to wait a bit, but hopefully I've got some good panoramas of the cars.

I should also have an extra available to lend, as long as I don't forget them like I did last time :banghead:

Hmm... that's a good point, the pillars and such are black after all so that probably would work very well for the beltline. Guess I'll have to give it a shot. And thanks! Oh, I just noticed what looks to be a small Mini emblem beneath the side scuttle on your Clubman (driver side). Did you add that (I can't recall seeing that anywhere before)?

Nice! I have to figure out a way to reduce the amount of chrome on my car without going the blackout route. It wouldn't work so well with the blue & white overall theme

There are definitely people who go (or at least start) with electrical tape; tons of stories of it on NAM (northamericanmotoring.com). I don't know how it holds up to the weather (fading in the sun? dunno), but it would definitely be a place to start.

I expect a passenger, so 2 for the run and lunch

Nice I really need to get a dyno run in one of these days.

Now that I've had the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs (couldn't they have come up with a shorter name?), I can say that I love these tires. They do have a hum at highway speed tho. It's not that it's louder than the stock runflats, but it's different and I think a bit more noticeable. The treadwear is rated at 200 though, so I figure I'll get 1 1/2 - 2 summers out of them, depending on how many runs I go on Edit: Oh, and I got my wheels + tires mounted out at Mach V. Did a great job, no problems with scratches on the rims or anything.

Wow, next week is turning into a ridiculously busy week but I totally plan to be there. Not a whole lot of excuse as long as I'm in town, it's only 5 minutes away after all

Ok, I love that license plate.

I'm in pretty much the same boat - just got my Dunlop's installed (same as Jason (LV2CRNR)) an

Now that I'm awake again, thanks for setting this up Jeremy My friend and I had a great time!

I'm definitely going to be there with a dirty-ish car

Thanks Chris I'm pretty thrilled with how they look, and it'll be even better after a 1" drop.

Per my PM yesterday, it's me +1

Thanks to Dan at Mach V for the pics - my Mini with the new wheels :rock:

Heh, yeah - might have to crash at my friend's place in Annapolis... that's a late night

Thanks Laura, Katie, Dave and everyone who helped organize, it was a great day. Thanks, also, to everyone who brought such great food and definitely to the cooks at the grill! :top: