cmcveay

I know, you are throwing at the message and I agree. Not long ago, Marty mentioned a proven marketing strategy that MINI USA should consider. MINI USA should have dealerships start promoting a line of dealership specific Tshirts and they can market them nationwide. That would be a "draw" to get people into the dealerships. The strategy has worked very well for HD as they have people walk in for Tshirts and walk out with bikes pretty much every day of the week! Allowing the use of the MINI wings Logo for something like a license plate sure seems like it would be a good idea.

I know that change is hard for people and it's especially hard for the AARP crowd...:evil:

Katie, We've updated the event to make it a "Yellow Ribbon Run". It's for memorial day and in memory of Jay. Yellow ribbons are used for "Remember our Troops" and for suicide awareness so it's appropriate. Glad you can make it!

Ali, Stop spreading that myth. Automatics AND Manual transmissions both have similar gear shift mechanisms (I'm being nice here since DCMM is PG-13). The "gender" of a MINI doesn't rely upon the transmission, it comes down to what the owner decides the car is based upon how they see it and what the Mods they do affect the look of the car (Nurture, not Nature). Cars could be "Pat" or "Robbie" or "Alex" or "Bobbie" when they come off the production line because those are all gender neutral names. If I'd left the flower seat covers in Archi and put hibiscus stripes on, it would be hard to give the car a male name. Catalina - Lola sounds great if that's what you like.

If your brother can't, just click on the Members list and find the user name of Coop. His name is Craig and he does some great work.

The latest we had on this was that BMW wouldn't authorize the use of the MINI wings logo for the plates and since it's trademarked, that's a requirement. Unlike Harley who is willing to market their brand in many ways, BMW has made the choice to maintain pretty tight control over their trademarked "stuff".

Ali must be working on a deadline because this post has been up for an hour and she hasn't named Catalina's car already! Catalina - I'll echo what Jim and Celia have said in regards to the "gender", you get to choose and future mods that you are thinking about may play into that. You might consider starting with classic British or even German names in recognition of the origins of the mini and MINI. You can always tie the name into something that has meaning to you or you and your husband. In the end, if you name it and you decide it's not right, you can also change it. last year, I decided "Kooper" just wasn't right for my car so I renamed him "Archibald". Most people just call him Archi since they know that I'm Bald... It was nice meeting you and I'm glad you had a good time. Laura puts her heart into that event and this year was no exception.

Thank you for saying yes Stacey! I know everyone looks forward to seeing you.

The fine folks from Hampton, HR MINIs, are doing a Pub to Pub run and we've been invited to meet up with them for some fun and a few laughs. The tentative plan is to grab lunch after the Meet and Greet at MINI of Sterling. Then, we'll hit some backroads and some twisties to meet up with HR at Pub Hampton for some friendship and fun. Festivities may continue into the evening with adult libations if you choose. HR is looking into booking a block of hotel rooms near the pub for those who either don't want to, or can't, drive home. If there's anyone that would be interested in coordinating this run, please PM or email me. The pub is located at: 1 Towne Centre Blvd Fredericksburg, VA

Wow, did we have a great time today! A great day to be out and about!

627 Old County (not Country!) Road Severna Park MD 21146 Sunday July 10 starting at noon. Bring your detailing supplies, Katie will supply water, electricity and a friendly dog to play with. People will probably get hungry and thirsty so please bring what ever you would like to drink and a potluck dish to share. There's room for 3 - 4 cars to be detailed at once, there is parking around the corner for cars that need to wait for a spot or people that just want to hang out and not do detailing.

Jim - I haven't been able to confirm this but from what I've read, the JCW engines actually have a lower compression ratio than the "S" but a slightly larger (internally) turbo. That allows the JCW to make more boost pressure and it's "safer". I have read posts from folks who have put a JCW turbo on an "S" since it's a direct swap externally and with a re-tuned ECU, they put down some great numbers. Alta is advertising an upgraded turbo, it's an OEM housing with a larger, forged aluminum wheel and it gives more boost over a longer curve than the "S" or JCW turbo. Nothing firm on the price yet though. I'm pretty sure Jan has seen enough 2nd Gen JCW's to have it down and since you got your tune on the dyno, he was able to tweak it so you get the best there is for the set up.

Federico, The last couple of times I've helped folks do this (or cleared the code/CEL), it's been for random misfires but I don't remember the code off the top of my head. A couple of times, the CEL was on for a couple of days before we could meet up to clear it. That particular car didn't get driven very much so that's probably why it didn't clear on it's own. That said, it's not harmful and once it's cleared, it stays away. Quitta is a great example of what this can do for a car though. She had the Blur in the shop 5-6 times for rough idle, misfiring, stumbling and rough starts. After a treatment, the Blur has been behaving nicely!

Catalina, Jason is a mechanic for an airline. Are you working out of the Navy Annex? If so, we probably saw each other in the parking lot. I was there at HQMC (Intel) for a year. No matter though, I'm still looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

I'd steer clear of using the exxon station in the middle of a strip mall for a seafoam treatment as I can see the scenario playing out in my head... (vision shifts to a dreamy view as I see Ali and Quitta under the hood of Tggrr and the Blur in my head)... As the billowing clouds of stinky white smoke belch from the exhaust, the unmistakable sound of sirens begins to grow louder and louder. Two Fairfax country patrol cars arrive, followed closely by the hook and ladder truck, fire chief and an ambulance to the consternation of the Starbucks, Tropical Smoothie and Foxfire patrons... Somehow, the emergency responders simply aren't humored by the stories of improved performance and a series of summons are handed out... Hence, my vote for the DIY since that kind of thing isn't unexpected from a garage located in an industrial complex. Yes, sometimes they will throw a code that's caused by the rough idle and random misfires as the "crap" blows through the combusion chamber. Sometimes, it'll clear itself. Sometimes, it requires the magic touch of an OBDII Code scanner.

Quitta and I teamed up since Lona is working. I agree though, we had sooooo much fun on this event last year and I really, really can't wait for Saturday so we can have fun again.

And people make fun of me about my gadgets! Quitta picked "SQUID Inc." for our team name but knowing the two of us, it should be someing like "Dis Function Al" or "Team PSI CHOTIC" or something. We may need a search party to come find us!

Asher, Nope, no limit. If you bring the Countryman, it'll be a first at one of our events! Hope to see you there.

Laura, You'll be using one of those "Swiss Army Knife" card readers right? Reads any kind of card?

I'd love to help but Lona has requested that I take some time off from my mail order OCD. That said, we don't have many boxes coming into the house now.

Lolita - PM or email me with any suggestions. Due to a wide variety of dietary considerations, a Chinese place is probably off the table. Places with enough parking to put 30 or so MINI's is a requirement and if they offer a Gluten (evil things I hear) free menu, it'll be even better.

Jason - Congrats on the transfer but I hate to see you go! Please come out so we can say farewell to you! Celia - Yeah, I had a pretty good idea that he wouldn't go for it.