maacodale

Unfortunately, that isn't too unsual for MINI dealers in general. I've heard some real horror stories about dealers across the country. Our local dealer down here, replaced a members car due to problems with THEIR bodyshop! Simple problems snowballed into a major avalanche. It is good to know some dealers make things right. Hopefully this will get corrected.

These can be added to any vehicle and really help you be seen from the rear. I've got one on both of my MINIs. I wouldn't be without one!

No a bad piece, but you'd never know cars ever touched the Dragon. Pretty crappy from that standpoint. Did make me wanna go this weekend though! Good piece on Darryl Cannon though. Glad Killboy got so air time. Motoring Alliance posted the Discovery Channel was doing a piece on him Last Tuesday and for everyone to come out to the Dragon. That segment sure wasn't shot last week. The trees were still full of green leaves. So there may still be another piece coming out sometime.

I just realized I'll be out of the country at a business convention that weekend! Dang my luck!!!

19 MINI U turn, not even close to the record. Two years ago on the Blue Ridge Parkway tour, we had a 44 MINI U turn. THAT was different. Wish I couldda made it. I did get the finishing touches on the Fall Colors Run finished up though. I'll be there next time!

Hopefully. Some of us are heading up to Marker-Miller Orchard for their Apple Festival weekend on Saturday. I'm hoping I can work things out to stay up in that area and head down to Luray to meet up with y'all on Sunday.

As always, it was good seeing y'all yesterday. Always enjoy hanging out with my DC MINI buddies!

See y'all at Bruster's Ice Cream on Staple Mills Rd!

Check and see who does vehicle wraps up your way. Amazing what they can do! I have a guy in Richmond I can get you with that does great work.

For the record, I Seafoamed my 94 Wrangler again today. I backtracked this thread and found my last seafoam was 6/2010 and 10K miles ago. Amazed how much more spirited the ol' 4.0 motor seemed on the way home tonight. If you're even THINKING about using seafoam, DO IT! You'll be pleased!

SO, did anybody see any improvements? I always do when I Seafoam anything.

By this time next week, the annual Cooper Vineyard MINI Rally will be history. I look forward to seeing everyone and really, just wait until you see Jacque's new tasting room!

Seafoamed the Clubbie yesterday. Don't know why I'm surprised. I've used it in other cars and it always made a difference. Like those, it made a difference in the MINI. It now feels like I'm driving with the SPORT button on all the time again. Amazing how performance degrades over time and you don't notice. Very happy with my results and will continue to seafoam the Clubbie often!

Thanks for posting Brian! Jacque and I decided to pull the plug on the event this morning. Not much of a problem at the vineyard from the quake, but the area is very busy with media people and sightseers, it's pretty crowded up there on the roads. Add the impending weather issues, we decided to postpone this weekends activities. The weather at the vineyard probably won't be too bad, but I was worried about people getting back home safely. Also, us down here in HR MINI land could use the time to batten down the hatches! So be safe, plan accordingly for the hurricane and lets plan on motoring on September 24!!! click here to keep up with any new info http://www.hrmini.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,32/topic,4329.0/

I talked to Jacque this afternoon. They had very minimal damage at the vineyard from the quake. Mostly spilled wine. They've been swamped with calls and emails, but overall, they're fine. The lab is a bit screwed however. But that's repairable. As of Wednesday PM, they're ON! The main issue is the caterer. Seems their cancellation time is much earlier, which is expected. The vineyard can cancel right up to the morning of the event. The caterer will have to cancel earlier, I'll let y'all know what I find out. Another issue I have is people getting back home as the weather conditions deteriorate. A lot of us, like me, live in LOW lying areas. As much as I love MINI's, preserving my belongings will take priority. That said, I "think" the storm will pass far enough off shore to mot be a major issue. I wanna have fun, but I want everyone to be safe as well. Lets see what tomorrow brings.

I plan on calling Jacque tomorrow. I'll post whatever I find out as soon as possible.

Just keep an eye on the weather, looking a bit iffy at the moment!

If someone wants to bring it to the Cooper Vineyard Run, I'll take it off your hands. I'm sure I can find someone that can use it eventually.

Like on our Fall Colors Run, last year we donated almost 300 pounds of supplies and over $300, to the Animal Connection folks at Cooper Vineyard. Two four legged friends went home in MINIs last year. Hopefully we can do better on both fronts this year!

That's one reason Jacque and I decided to move the event back to the 27th of August. I really wanted something in September, but apparently, September is a pretty busy month for4 the vineyard. We'll see how it goes this year. Of course, we do now have a nice air conditioned building with two nice covered decks and a decent amount of shade below the building. All in all, I think the addition of the tasting room will be more of an advantage than the later date. OH!!! Don't forget donations of food and supplies for the Animal Connections animal rescue folks. Food, litter, newspapers, collars, leashes or even cash will all be helpful! Thanks.

I was up to Cooper today checking the route for the "spirited" (but not really so much) drive to the vineyard and checked out the ALL NEW tasting room! It's amazing. If you remember the old house that they used to use, you'll be totally amazed at the new state of the art, all "green" technology tasting room they now have. It's truly, a work of art. This year, there will be a buffet (single pass) that is included in your ticket price, which is the same price as LAST YEAR! Additional passes at a nominal charge. This year will have a bluegrass band for entertainment. AND, we'll be parking between the rows of the vineyard!

Perfect explanation! It's really easier than it sounds.

Sure hope so. I'm trying to twist some arms!

We'll be headed up e-a-r-l-y Sunday morning from Hampton Roads.Can't wait!

Welcome! Fred works okay, but based on your answer I think I'd go with Sanford instead It just sounds more MINI!