cmcveay

fixed.

I'll park away from the crowd since I'm a non-MINI driver for a few more days. Merlin should be coming home from his "plastic surgery" on Tuesday or Wednesday. I stopped to visit yesterday and all of the parts are in. For those of you who complain about any of the loaner cars from the dealership... It sucks far worse when you have to pay to rent a total POS Dodge Caliber... No power, crappy brakes, HORRIBLE handling and it feels like I'm sitting in the cab of an 18 wheeler it's so high up in the air! Lona says it's harder to drive it in traffic (it's an automatic) than either of cars. How's that for a ringing endorsement of that Detroit based auto? I'm putting the new floor in the 2nd bathroom to get it ready for tile and I look forward to seeing everyone this afternoon!

+1 for the Hella lights as Katie said. Also, +1 for the VIP Custom Parts. I had their cat back exhaust on Archie and the quality of the work and materials was absolutely first rate. RyanBlue can attest to it as well since he's now got the exhaust.

:adore::adore::adore:

Wow, I guess I'd better hang onto my lucky rabbits foot or something. I have not yet had a bad experience with Passport - the only MINI parts/service center that I've dealt with so I feel compelled to defend them. Yes, the dealership's price may be higher than others but you've got to keep in mind some of the facts that are behind that. Every technician is trained by BMW/MINI to know these cars and that training isn't free. When it comes down to how much time is charged for something being done, it's not the tech or the dealership that determines how long it takes, it's MINI USA. When the car is logged in for an oil change, the computer charges for xx hours of labor. If there are complaints about the actual work that's being done (poor quality or not doing what they claim), that's another story but otherwise, why bash them for running their business their way? All I'd ask is to be objective. You have a choice of where to get your work done so if you don't like the way the dealership structures their prices or their labor or other things, just go elsewhere and don't start blasting them for it. I do almost all of my own work on my car, I only use the dealership for things that are totally beyond my abilities simply because I don't want to pay that much for the labor and because I want to learn about what makes it "tick". I respect those who only use the dealership as much as I respect those that go elsewhere. As far as the dealership treating you "like a number"? Again, I must be pretty darn lucky because I've never felt that way when I've got in to the dealership. I'm treated with respect, made to feel welcome and when I've got questions, they are listened to and answered. I can also tell you that I've NEVER had another garage/mechanic/shop call or email me to tell me that they saw/read something that's directly related to a conversation we had a few weeks go. My SA at PMoA and the salesman that I've bought both of my MINIs from have each done that so I do feel like I'm treated very well by them. Of course, these are my own opinions and experiences so they could be very different from those of others but I felt compelled to defend PMoA as they are - again, in my personal opinion - one of the best run dealerships that I've ever dealt with.

Maybe they counted the entrance AND exit to each turn? Setting the DVR now.

I was in the first 3-4 last year and I even waited until I got to work because it wasn't open before I left. This year, I may have to take 10th place or something.

Jono - the upper with the 6x9 scope is a heavy 20" tube. It works well to pick off zombies from a good distance. The one that's mounted on the lower is more "tactical" with the vertical foregrip, light, laser and a 3x scope. The Derringer? A North American Arms .22LR or .22WMR. Fired it for the first time today and it's really, really well behaved, even in big hands! We had a really good time and the Para Ordnance that Laura brought was an awesome firearm and it shoots really sweet groups.

Bring 'em on! I sure hope someone will be willing to help be bring my range bag and cases in from the car... See ya in the mornin!

Not sure if anyone has seen it or not but NAM does have the "MOTD Lodging" thread up and running. Take a look here: http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/10th-annual-minis-on-the-dragon-may-2-6-2012/218446-lodging-thread.html

Lito - the shocks are one of those things where I wouldn't too much about the folks being up to speed on MINI stuff. I'd agree with JAB though, Mach V is great with MINIs and they are one of our vendors as well.

Catalina, Take a look at the Hawk brake pads for sure! They do have a couple of different types and since you aren't going to take Lola to the track and you probably won't autocross more than a couple of times a year, you don't have to get into the high end pads. Give Dan at Mach V a call and he'll probably have them in stock. Make sure to ask about the version that will allow use of the OEM brake wear sensors. The Hawk ceramic pads are very low dust and work really, really well in all conditions. I don't remember which model it is but some of them will also allow you to use the OEM brake wear sensors (replace those with the pads). The sensors are located on the front left and right rear brake assemblies. As far as a DIY? It's pretty darn easy. You will need a tool that compresses AND turns the calipers as you prep them for the new pads. Also, don't forget to keep an eye on the brake master cylinder as you'll start pushing brake fluid back out as you compress the calipers and that can make a mess. Otherwise, it's not too hard.

Okay, it's less than a week until this event and I'd like to use the Silver Eagle Group range. Hopefully, that won't run anyone off. Here's a link to their range safety rules If it's been a while or you've never handled a firearm, please read the rules closely and let me know before entering the range. We'll do a short safety/orientation/fam so that you are safe and comfortable. Of course it goes without saying but please transport all weapons in accordance with applicable laws. Here's the address: 44620 Guilford Drive Suite 100 Ashburn, Virginia 20147 Here's what I'll bring: Glock Model 22 and Model 23 (.40 S&W) Ruger Mk III (.22LR) North American Arms Derringer (.22LR and .22WMR) (I haven't fired it since I bought it so that will be fun) Bushmaster M4 Carbine (.223/5.56) 12ga Pump Shotgun I've got ammo for all of them but if you'd like to shoot more than a magazine or two, please consider purchasing a box at the range as it can get expensive. EDIT: Okay, unless someone makes a special request, the shotgun will stay home. They only allow slugs at the range and I don't have any of those. Please don't forget your eye and hearing protection. I'll have foam ear plugs and the range usually has rental equipment as well.

There's no supercharger to rumble... Since 2007, they've been Turbocharged and without some aftermarket parts, you aren't going to hear much noise out of it. I'd have to guess that it's some resonance in the exhaust that occurs at around the same rpm range. Enjoy it though! Be careful starting out in 2nd and 3rd gear, I'm sure you know you can smoke your clutch that way. It'll just heat up and glaze over and a replacement isn't cheap. Lona and I have the same problem going back and forth between our cars as her Reverse is to the right and down and of course mine is to the left and up. Enjoy!

Wouldn't "Driving Safely" trump other mods?

Laura, I did the same kind of "research" when that post first went up and I found the same thing that you did. A guy actually wrote to every state in the Union and asked that question and there wasn't a single state with a STATE law that prohibited driving barefoot. I totally agree with you on the reason for the guy getting a ticket as well. I have not taken time to search for any VA vehicle codes that may have changed so the information that I found earlier could be out dated.

Welcome to the Forums and we look forward to greeting you to the club soon too!

Will it help you reach the pedals better?

Isn't that kind of harsh Ali? You went to another place, not even the same company but because this place is offering services through Groupon, they are lumped into the same category as the others? Seems kind of harsh to me...

You guys are killing me. Lona tested it from work earlier and it was okay. I'll bring the movie on the iPad and a thumbdrive so folks can get copies and then I'll figure out a better way to upload it so it can be accessed.

After lots of hard work on Lona's part, the video is finally done. This version is not in HD but the system is cranking out a 1080p version at this very moment. We will have this on iPads at today's meet and greet and at the club brunch on Sunday if you don't want to download 700+ MB. Again, many, many thanks to everyone who contributed! https://public.me.com/cmcveay1

I've got a pair of Glocks in .40 S&W and a Ruger MkIII in .22 that are open for use by all.

To not conflict with holidays and the Meet and Greet, I'm plopping this event down on the 10th of December. If anyone has a range preference (Blue Ridge, NRA or others), please speak up and we can choose where we go. To accommodate the "night owls" in the group, let's plan on meeting up at 10:30 so we can spend some time on the range and then stop for lunch afterward. There is a show at Dulles Town Center this weekend and I'm going to be making an "ammo run" to be ready.

I will be installing the catch can that I have for two reasons... It can't hurt and, it might help.