cmcveay

Chris - are you looking for a 12v source just to flip the relay or a 12v source with enough "juice" to power the lights? For the relay, you could go with any switched fuse in the fuse panel (windows, radio, seat heaters, etc., etc.) I wouldn't take power from anything that could be detrimental to driving if you blow the fuse so no lights or wipers or anything like that. For a 12v source providing power to the lights, I would go directly to the battery. Also, I learned this lesson the hard way. You are best served by running your relay ground (or any others if you can) right to the battery. There are places in the engine compartment that look like great choices but your good old fashioned multi-meter will surprise you by showing that they don't actually provide any ground. Here's the link to VIP. I should be able to post photo's later today as I expect to see a package at the house with the brackets that I ordered last week. http://vipcustomparts.com/

Ricky is correct, the access port is only for 2nd Gen and, for the moment only up to 2011 "S" but 07-12 JCW's. Correct though Ali. If the dealer reflashes/updates the entire car, it will overwrite the tune. Without one of the tools to reflash it, the tune will have to be reloaded. To be honest, I haven't done any research into tools that will do that for 1st Gen cars, not because I don't like 'em or anything, there's just no equity in it for me unless someone would like to give me a GP for my birthday.

Unless Mark MUST have a custom dyno tune, he really should consider shopping around for a second hand Access Port or just buy one from Alta! I say that because it will give him the ability to load different tunes in the event he does mods in the future - without having to pay for updates to the tune. You saw my numbers from stock to tune. 12.5% increase in HP and around 20% increase in torque. Not sure if you noticed but Dan actually uninstalled the tune between the last two runs just to get the stock numbers. I will admit that I have not been a big fan of some of Alta's "hard parts" because, in my personal experience, they just didn't measure up. I can say that I applaud the work that's been done with Cobb to produce a tuning tool that really does work well. The access port is also a great tool to have as it incorporates several rather expensive tools into a single hand held device. I just thought I'd put that out there in case any 2nd Gen owner didn't want to wait. Oh, it's also worth mentioning this. With Jan's Dyno tune, it runs about $500 for the tune and around $100 for the dyno time. The tune is loaded and that's what you have. The tuning tool is another $600-$800 if you'd like to have the ability to upload/download the tune. If the dealer reflashes your car, the tune is gone and without a tool, you'll have to wait until Jan comes back out. With the access port, you get the tool and the tune for one price... I like Jan and I love the work he does but it's only fair to lay out the options.

I'm glad to hear you like the light brackets! I had their exhaust and the quality of work was awesome. I actually ordered the quad bracket last week and it should be arriving any day now. I swapped a couple of emails with Van to see if they are going to do an exhaust for the R55 and he said he was thinking about it.

Jono - Ali or Marty (Mbongers) may be able to give you a guy that can take care of your work for a much better price.

To make this happen, Dan needs to know how many people are interested. So, if you are interested, it would be a good thing to give Dan a call or drop him an email and let him know that you will be a "player" if he can get Jan to come back out this year.

Gene, There isn't anyone local that's doing ECU tuning on MINI's and there aren't that many who are doing it at all. Unlike most cars, the MINI ECU is encrypted so it's taken some work to get into them. As Ali and Haemish mentioned, Dan at Mach V did mention working with Jan B. (Revolution Motor Works or RMW) to have him come back out for this 3rd Annual tuning/dyno day) so that would be a great opportunity. Dan said he was hoping to get this set up prior to MOTD 12 and he'll advertise it on DCMM. If you or others would be interested in this, I would encourage you to reach out to Dan so he knows the interest level. Jan usually comes out for 2 full days of tuning and he can typically get 15-20 tunes done in that time. I've had an RMW tune and I can only express my satisfaction with one word... WOW!!

The old exhaust has joined the refuse pile... Cut it up late yesterday.

Welcome to the Forums and to the world of MINI Allen! Don't let Ali bother you, she names anything and everything around her. We look forward to having you at an event sometime soon!

Sure. It's in the book case to the left of the TV. You know where the key is. I'll stop by there and pick it up to set it up for you.

Crutchfield? It's a little bit of a drive down there but they are very good at what they do.

You would think that Ali, with all of the photography "stuff" she has could figure out a way to make that work. Better yet, she could ask her BMFF across the street for his GoPro, mount it on the boot and take it for a test drive.... But Nooooooo, Ali will wait for poor Mark to get home from a long day at the office and make him go out and hold her phone to make a video. That's why I love the sound recorder on the iPhone.

It can't magnify what it doesn't have - that's what I'm trying to say. You'd have to check with Jan to see if he's put that into his tunes. To be honest, there's not much motivation for him or Alta to put the time and research into that because it offers ZERO performance gain. If you really want that, keep in mind the cost to your gas mileage. The "Pops and Burbles" are created by dribbling fuel into the cylinder when off throttle. That means it just pushes the gasoline into the exhaust and it doesn't make the car "go".

Just got this from the BMW club and wanted to share it with everyone. We have a new MINI shop in the region and they are already stepping up to the plate. NCC Autocross School Sponsor Our March 17th autocross school will be sponsored by OxSpeed in Pasadena, MD. OXSpeed is a team of MINI Cooper enthusiasts that provide a unique experience not yet found in the world of MINI. They love making MINI's feel the way their owners want them to. For the seasoned vets and club racers, they understand what your looking for. If it's a spec class car you are interested in or simply a basic prep for the track please they can get it done. OxSpeed can to make sure all you have to worry about is going fast and hitting your apex. For our amateurs more interested in prices and quality of work, they provide a no non-sense solution to get you to where you want to go. Regardless of your skill level, They provide something more than "a place to buy parts". OxSpeed gets involved with you and your MINI. Through events, modification days, classes, meet and greets and track days alike, OxSpeed is a part of a community that strives to take the drive further. So stop by their shop in Pasadena, MD! OxSpeed 4110 Mountain Road Pasadena, MD 21122 443-3SPEED2 (443-377-3332) www.oxspeed.com

Pops and burbles.... Nope, it's just allowing more exhaust noise. The real "Pops and burbles" is tuned into the ECU and then only in the JCW's. There was even a period of time when JCW's (2nd Gen) didn't have it because some consumers didn't like it. So far, Alta hasn't included it in their tunes from the access port and the last time I checked with Jan at RMW, he hadn't started putting it in either. I'm just sayin...

Haemish, have you ever driven with Ali? Between the radio volume and her singing, she won't be bothered by the exhaust noise. That AND, the storage rate for leaving it in the corner of the garage is pretty steep. You have a good point though, I'll give her a discounted storage rate for a couple of weeks. Now Ali - go take a road trip without turning on the radio!

Stop feeding Ali's ego! It's my fault but the only thing we'll hear for the next 6 months is "Did you hear my new exhaust"? I had to do it because I was tired of the "When can we (notice the "we") install my new exhaust"... I will admit that I really like the looks of the new exhaust and it does sound good. It's going to take a week or so for the cuts, scrapes and bruises to go away but at least I know that there is another happy driver on the road.

I went with the Star Spec's and loved every minute with them. The car still has them on it, I noticed that in the "Archie" sighting last week. The downside is that they did start to get noisy when on the road at speed. As far as handling though? Awesome...

Are you sure you want to go with 55's? You will notice a very "plush" ride but when you get out in the twisties, I think you'll find that the handling isn't as responsive as your previous "shoes". Personally, I don't like anything taller than a 45 series tire, especially on 16" rims, but I'm willing to trade some comfort for more precise handing. Believe it or not, I've gotten adjusted to the runflats once again and I think that's what I'll keep on Merlin.

+1 on the utility of this thing. Lona likes it enough that she bought one for her car and for her son's truck.

I can offer up the place and tools needed for the swap. We'll be doing an exhaust install for Ali in the next 24 hours.

We'll miss seeing everyone at this. We head back to Las Vegas on Monday to head back home.

I'll see if I can get both sets of questions in order. In the 2nd Gens (2007+ for all but the Cabrio), there usually aren't ANY gauges, or at least none that aren't a rather expensive option. Check out the options at places like Alta and Craven Speed who specialize in aftermarket gauges for MINI's. If you want to get really cool check out the stuff from PLX but you better bring your high limit credit card 'cause they want some serious $$$. Other options would be a scan gauge, or the Kiwi device (to name a few). Those read the temps and pressures right from the OBDII port and they display on Android or iOS phones with the right apps. As far as turning on the heater? If you have the auto climate control option, the heater won't turn on until the engine reaches the appropriate temp. Not sure about it without the option - anyone else know? A little hesitation is "normal" for the MC and MCS (and JCW). The S and JCW's have the option of turning on the sport button to get rid of that to some degree. If it's a real PITA, you could look into the Sprint Booster - not certain that they are made for the MC but it's worth the time to research. 1,500 isn't all that low considering the idle RPM is around 950 RPM but if the auto isn't shifting down to 1st gear, that could be causing it to be sluggish. Wizzer - The larger circle to the left is your oil pressure and oil temperature. The upper circle is your water temp. Don't freak out if the water temp reaches and holds 210-220. That's actually normal. As a former Orange Blooded Bow-Tie fanatic (that's a fan of Chevrolet), I never wanted to see the high side of 190-200 so it took some time to adjust. Our cars like to tell us when the temps hit 37 degrees. In the right conditions, some road surfaces can begin freezing when the "felt" temp is there. If it's 37 or less when you start it up, it'll tell you then. if it's above when you start up and then, you find colder temps while driving, it'll let you know that it's dropped below that magic number.

Last year, a bunch of us met up at Mark and Ali's place in Annandale to wash and wax and detail our rides before we headed to the Dragon. Lona and I would like to host this year's pre-Dragon detailing party. 5200 Lindsay Street Fairfax, VA 22032 Saturday, April 28th, 2012 10:00 a.m. --- until??? We'll provide the hoses, the water, buckets, a wet/dry vac and outlets if you plan on running a buffer or some other device. Baked on brake dust? I've got a power washer for you. We'll also be able to provide a table or two for your detailing supplies. RSVP and if you can give an estimated time that you'll be coming by, we'll know if we need to order food.