RichSperry

As far as I know there was no main water pump recall, there was an aux water pump recall. The aux pump is for cooling the turbo (again, as far as I know.)

Did your Q300 droan? Mine did so badly that I couldn't stand it. I wonder if it might have been the couplings allowing it to contact the brace? Perhaps welding it would have solved it? Anyway, Maybe after Turkey day I could come take a ride and hear for myself? I loved it at WOT, but 6th gear on the highway was painful.

It's really simple. If your door handles have a black button, you have comfort access. If they don't, you don't... I've got CA, and most times I don't put the key in the slot. But sometimes I do, just so the maintenance info gets updated on the key. Sort of like wearing clean underwear, Like my mom said, if you ever get in an accident you want to have clean undies...lo (but I bet if I was in a really bad accident that required a trip to the hospital, I'd have messed my britches anyway...lol)

Just for some info. When I had the Quaife diff installed in my R56, the labor was $1000. (OXSpeed in Pasadena Md) I asked how much more changing the clutch would add and it was $100 plus parts. So figure about $1100 in labor to R&R the clutch.

I long ago decided that anything smaller than a moose, gets hit. I ain't swerving for small creatures... Do most people realize that deer whistles are directional? If you put them on facing the wrong way, they attract deer... .. Actually, they don't work at all...

Don't waste your money on the Duplicolor kit. If you are going to do it use the G2 2-part epoxy kit. The Duplicolor paint just doesn't flow well or cover very well. And this was on freshly bead blasted calipers. And Craig, you new JCW calipers aren't painted, they are powder coated. And they are verrry nicce....lol

More comfort than the TSW springs? Really? What do you think the problem with the TSW's is? I've got them paired with Koni's and the ride is much better than stock. Most of crappy harsh feeling is the stock POS shocks.

It all depends on where you are. In the Baltimore area, I'd go to Marks' body shop on Reisterstown Rd. Flawless work.

I've got a few BMW M3 rotors sitting around...

Man, that's way too much work. There aren't that many songs I'd like to listen to... I mean really, even the best albums only have 4 or 5 really good songs on them. No need to have them all. (at least for me, just saying)

I'm using Apple lossless format. I hate the way mp3 kills the sound quality. (depth of sound stage, and loss of range) The only drawback is the files are about the same size as the original music. But with a 64G iPhone I really don't care. Lol

Sorry but you live in Arlington and don't register your car where you live? Do you have a Virginia drivers license? Does your insurance company know this? (if not it's insurance fraud...) Maybe it's ok if you are a student. but it's not ok if you are doing it to save some money because you think they charge too much. If you live in a state you REQUIRED to register the car, and have a drivers license from that state. It's pretty simple...

Well.... Sort of. With the R56, (non JCW) all of the turbo back exhausts do away with the second cat in the middle of the car.' The JCW didn't have one from the factory. The soot is normal for a forced induction car. Tuners keep the AFR lower when the cylinder pressures are highest to prevent detonation and help keep things cool in there. The last thing you want is to run lean at max loading. Melted pistons, broken rings, distroyed bearings are no fun.

I've found that there usually is a difference between the calculated diameter and the actual diameter of real tires. While a 205-45-17 may calculate out to 24.26 a real tire with vary, sometimes significantly... (but not enough to make a difference.) I just replaced the stock RFT's with Star Specs in the 215-45-17 size. No fitment issues, and my speedo is now only 2 mph off vs the 3-4 it used to be. The non RFT tire is softer, rides better, but has less sharp turning. (as noted) I like it.

It was open. The LSD was a $500 option up until 3/2010. Then they discontinued offering it. You can get the Electronic diff, Ediff, but it uses the brakes to stop a spinning wheel, and probably isn't good for your brakes... The factory unit was only a 25% limited slip, or as I understand it will only transfer 25% of the power to the other wheel. The Quaife is about 80% and the OS Gilken is a true 100% transfer. For my daily driver duty, I really didn't see the need to spend twice as much for the Gilken for a bit more transfer. (Gilken is about $1900).

We took the Vert to the rental, and he picked me up in the Hummer.... I almost didn't get in...lol

Sorry, been downy Ocean Hon... No I didn't buy it from them, I bought it online and paid $918 plus shipping. Google is your friend. I supplied the new bearings and 3 qts of RedLine MTL. (Way Motor Works) Install was just over $1000. and Rick took me to and picked me up from Enterprise Rentacar in Glen Burnie. They had the car from Monday afternoon, and the car was ready at about 10 AM Wednesday. Then I had a new set of Star Specs installed, (215-45-17)... What a way to spend about $3000...lol

Just got the car back from Rick and the guys at OX Speed after the install of the Quaife ATB diff. The car was done ahead of schedule, and for less than the estimate. Wow, what a difference. Didn't notice the traction control kicking in around slow turns like before. Torque steer seems to be a lot less too. Well worth the cost. I highly recommend OX Speed, and Quaife...

My car is going in Monday to get the Quaife LSD installed. I met the principal guy at the meet and greet at PubDog last Saturday. Seems like a nice guy.

You all ever see the movie "The Core" with Hillary Swank? I think lasers out the front that vaporize objects in the way would be a much better addition. Or better yet, a large spatula that filps the person's car off the road when they offend you would be great too.

I'm baking brioche, but I could get there by about 10:30...

Hey Craig, have you got a pic of them in Archi? Also what's CCW? And, I didn't know you were a Master Chief... I only made E6 (MM1/SS) Nuc ELT. But was board eligible 3 times before I got out after almost 9 years...lol I figured I was going to be an E6 for another 6-7 years before I really had a shot with regards to time in service. They just didn't rate that many MMC's. The first year there were 330 eligible and they rated 3. The next year 1... Anyway, pics?

At Speed in Hanover Md, or RRT in Sterling.

Just a couple of thoughts. GET OVER IT. Your car's got a problem. Ok, sorry. MINI techs aren't really mechanics anymore. They plug the car in and do what the computer tells them to. If that doesn't work they HAVE to call in the pros from Dover. (M.A.S.H. reference) They really aren't allowed to do that stuff without permission from MINI NA. Yea, that kind of sucks, but, they gave you a Countryman to use, you are racking up miles on thier car not yours, call it a wash. Now you are trying to blackmail the service department into forking over some swag or you'll bash them on the internet? lol (Ok, sorry, hadn't had my morning caffeine yet.) Sorry to hear about your car, I hope they fix it and load you up...lol It's been my experience that MINI of BC is pretty good.

It also helps if you have small hands. (I don't) I used a 1/4" drive ratchet with an allen socket. 2 of the 3 bolts are easy, the third is a bit of a pain. Now it's on to the LSD... This car absolutely cries out for a LSD.