cmcveay

That's a good list for the most part. The lubricant in the manual transmission is listed as a lifetime product and I belive I've read that there's not even a drain plug for it. For the auto's, I've read that it's a dealer service option only and they suggest that the fluid has a very long lifespan as well. As far as the oil, Yep, a fresh oil change prior to the dragon is a good idea. As far as checking the oil, I'll just say again that you can't go wrong with checking it every couple of fill ups and while at the dragon, I check it each morning along with the level of other vital fluids. For those who haven't been out to autocross, many of the things on the checklist above are tech/safety inspection items as well. Did I mention it's only 10 days until Lona and I leave for the Dragon????

Same here, I guess Ali and I will run a shuttle service if needed.

Wow, I really touched a nerve! A couple of things that I can say now that so many have commented. First, when you drive the Dragon, you represent the entire MINI/Mini community so please don't be "That Guy" or "That Girl" who puts everyone else in a bad light and secondly, we wear our DCMM clings and clothing with pride and it's visible to those who see us out there driving. Whether you drive at, under or over the speed limit, do so responsibly stay within your capabilities and be courteous to the other drivers on the road please. As far as sight seeing? I've been a passenger on the Dragon twice - once with Ali driving and once with Lona driving and I actually enjoyed the scenery but Ali will tell you that I kept telling her "STOP WAVING AT OTHER DRIVER'S AND DRIVE DAMMIT, I'LL WAVE AT THEM"! After the 22nd or 28th time, she got it (okay, it was probably only the 2nd or 3rd time). Go be a passenger, enjoy the scenery, enjoy watching other drivers and learn as much as you can so you too can have as much fun.

We have to care about our new Dragon crew because that's how the event grows.

A couple of words for our first time "Dragon Slayers" and please don't let this dampen your enthusiasm but as much as we enjoy having fun on the twisties, there comes a time for a little reality. For all of the first time Dragon drivers (and passengers), it is highly encouraged that you attend one of the presentations on Dragon safety before you take off across the Hell Bender and go drive the Dragon. Unless you have points on your driving record to spare, lots of amnesty from your insurance company and money burning a hole in your pocket, please remember the thing you'll hear most often - Stay on your side... The TN State troopers that patrol the Dragon do not have a sense of humor - it was surgically removed at birth - and they will stop you and write you a big fat ticket for many things. One of their favorites is for touching/crossing the yellow lane dividing line and that's why the shirts all say "Stay on your side". Crossing the yellow line puts you into oncoming traffic and if the bozo coming the other way is doing the same thing, it's a full on head-on in the making. If it's a sport bike... Well, you can imagine the results. If you don't want to attend one of the many offerings for the newbies and 11 tips for surviving the dragon presentation - do yourself and other drivers on the road a huge favor - take the first couple of trips at a very safe speed and work into it as you get used to the roads and turns.

JAB - if you want to save a few pennies (okay, actually more than just a few $$), the install for that isn't all that hard at all.

We'll have to talk about this... Not sure we are going to excommuniate you just yet. By the way, have you joined the "Golf Club" yet?

Hey Chris - just posting that I'd seen that particular car/license plate combo. I'm not sure that I've seen them before.

+1 on all of the comments above and I'd like to note that it was really nice to meet so many new members and participants who aren't yet members that joined us for the event. Hopefully, you had enough fun that you'll decide to join the club as full members and continue coming out to motor with us!

Merlin is in the garage with a fresh coat of wax curing before it's buffed out. The gas tank is full and all vital fluids have been checked. Inside, our route sheets are printed, the radios are charged, the GoPro is ready and we are looking forward to a great day of motoring with so many of our bestest friends. For those who can't make it for the Spring Fling, we'll take lots of photos and you will be missed!

Ali - next time, babble about THEIR car, not yours. When they join, you can babble about yours!

Lona and I will have 2 extra radios.

Any chance you have a link to that article? Or copies? Luckily, the Access Port is still up and running on the JCW's but not the "S" yet. I'm interested in reading about the NM Tune.

I used to know how to check my number. I used the pull down menu and selected "0" (yep, zero). Anyone know how to verify the number? Okay, I found it. I'm ZERO. White or Red, whichever is easiest for you.

Signed up for the PM session. Lots of MINI's on the autocross that day!

Not sure that I've seen this MINI before. Darker Silver Cooper S, license plates "MYCROBE". Saw it on Chain Bridge Road, southbound just before Main street yesterday afternoon. Was it you?

Welcome and look forward to meeting you soon! When you get the alignment done, Dan and the guys at Mach V are very up on what kind of tweaks can be done to improve the MINI's handling for autocross. I'll never forget the conversation I had with Dan one day in which he told me that the MINI could be set up so that it would swap ends in the driveway. With that in mind, the last time I had an adjustment done, I made them a little chart to show where I wanted it. On the left was "OEM" and to the right was "Swap ends in the driveway" and then, I drew a little "X" right in the middle. I did notice an improvement in understeer. The morale of the story? Tell 'em what you want and they should be able to get you hooked up (literally, on the course).

Lona and I are there to help if needed of course.

The soot is actually a little bit fuel and a little bit oil. Yep, you have your original catalytic converter Ali. That's why it's called a "Cat back" exhaust. I don't think any of the aftermarket exhausts, even the turbo back models include don't have cats.

I actually use Castrol's full synthetic. It meets all of the manufacturers standards. Mobile One is also a good oil to use. In the near future, I'll be looking for someone to do a "group buy" for oil filters and oil pan drain plug crush washers. The last time I did that, I think we got the filter, filter housing seal and the crush washers for about $6.00 each. I usually buy 4-5 for my own use when I do that and by ordering more, we can get a break on the price/shipping.

Ditto on everything that's been said, an oil change on the MINI is no more challenging that an oil change on most other cars. If you are still under warranty, I would highly recommend not resetting the oil change interval reminder or you'll never get to that "free" oil change from the dealer. I'm an old school gearhead and I have a hard time accepting the increased life span of synthetic oil but there's enough proof out there that I'm willing to let the oil change go a little longer than I did with the old stuff. I sitll change it at about 5k. Carman63 did bring up a VERY important point - one that many MINI owners miss. Please check your oil levels and keep it properly filled. It's not a defect or a "problem" because all cars with oil cooled/lubricated turbo's do this. MINI's "eat" oil and it's not a consistent rate of consumption between years or models. I would highly recommend checking your oil every 2-3 times you fill your tank or at least every 700-1,000 miles. If you drive the car harder, check more often. If you don't know how, just ask someone else in the club, we'll be glad to take a couple of minutes to show you. Happy motoring!

Sounds like Scavenger is setting up the next event.

Hey aautomaan - with regards to radio choices. Several of us have gone through a few sets and we've settled on Cobra's. I'll have to find the model number but the selling point is good battery life (a day or two in use) and they have a rewind feature so you can catch that last call without a "say what"!

Yeah, I found that I can only "code" 2nd Gens. The software that I have is the same, as are the rest of the parts. The difference is, the pin-outs on the OBD-II connector has two pins that are different so my set up won't "talk" to the first gens body control modules. Some of the recent "discoveries" for coding in the 2nd gen is pretty darn cool though!

If there's a refreshing adult libation - using the appropriate level of responsibility of course - at the end of the very short stretch of gravel - amends have been made and ye shall be allowed to prosper and lead another ride in the future but I think Quitta and Bryan will have to be "bought off" with a round at the leaders expense. PM inbound though.