Yarsay

I took some pictures when I replaced the side scuttles and swapped the side markers if you're looking for another reference point. Like Craig said, when they first pop out it sounds like you broke something http://techometerblog.com/2011/02/07/mini-mods-black-side-marker-housings/ Let me know what you think of the LED side markers, it's one of my next planned mods

Thanks Laura for being our radio navigator / roadkill and wild bird spotter And thanks to Haemish for putting together an awesome run

Why not both?? Heel + toe FTW! I drive at 10 and 2 when I'm cruising but usually move to 9 and 3 if there are any serious turns. I guess I 'push', meaning if I'm turning to the left I push more with my right hand to turn. I find it much less tiring and easier to control when my hands are 180 degrees opposed on the wheel. I think the suggestions now to drive at 4 and 8 / 5 and 7 are to prevent oversteer since it's much harder to overcorrect when your hands are in that position. I still think it gives you much less control than 9 and 3 though.

I briefly caravanned on 267 eastbound last night with two laser blue MINIs; one S and one Clubman. The Clubman grabbed my attention because it had a nearly identical VA plate, same letters but just nine higher on the number portion -- do us MINI drivers get a special section of the license plate run??

Thanks guys!

So I just realized that all my 2-way radios are back in Maine, does anyone have a spare they're willing to lend to me for the run? much appreciated!

Sorry - just sold them this week Thanks for the interest though

I want to move these tires to free up space, so why don't you tell me what you want to pay for them? $100, $50, free? These tires will fit any 17x7 MINI wheel and are a great summer tire for those who want the piece of mind of runflats.

Baxter desperately needs a wash so still waiting to get a good set of pics post-install, but here's a teaser with the new setup :rock:

Let me know if you're interested in seeing the tires at the Mach V open house tomorrow - if no one expresses interest I'll leave them at home. I'll drop the price to $100 for all four tires if they get sold at the event.

As of yesterday Baxter now has brand new OZ wheels and Star Spec tires! The setup looks awesome - can't wait until the tires get broken in a bit so I can really try them out. Hope to post pictures this weekend and will also be at the Mach V open house on Saturday so you can see them in person...

So my new wheels and summer tires arrive tomorrow (yay!) which means I need to find room in storage for my current winter setup. To make room, I'm looking to sell the Dunlop tires that were OEM on my 2009 JCW. Main points: - Dunlop SP Sport 01 DSST - 205/45/17 size (fit on a 17x7 wheel) - Ultra High Performance Summer category (just in time for spring) - Runflats - Set of four - three of the tires have ~15,000 miles, one was replaced about 7,000 miles ago - Remaining tread depth is about 5-6/32 (10/32 new) so you can expect at least 10-15,000 additional miles before you get down to 2/32 (depending on your driving) - Tires were rotated every 3-5,000 miles so wear looks to be pretty even I'm asking $150 for the set of 4, but will entertain offers and will cut the price if you want to pick them up at the Mach V open house on Saturday. I'm based in Arlington but like I said will bring the tires out to the Mach V open house on Saturday if there is serious interest. Let me know if you have any questions!

Hear ya - I left it there for 3 days...

I've had this issue with my '09 JCW as well. I took it into MoA and they were unable to repeat it so wouldn't do any further work (I even took it in during a cold streak). I was very insistent but they still wouldn't do any work on the timing chain unless the cold start could be repeated - all they did was check the oil level to make sure it wasn't low. The last time it happened I took a recording of it - hopefully that will suffice. Whenever I've experienced it, I've let the car idle with no throttle for 15 minutes or so until it's completely gone - I'm paranoid about putting any stress on the engine when I know there might be a timing issue. Sucks when I'm running late for work in the morning...

After probably 6 months of deliberations, I think I'm finally decided on a set of 17" graphite OZ Ultraleggeras with Star Specs for the summer months Unoriginal I know but I like the weight and aesthetics When I realized I wasn't getting any money back from the IRS, I thought about holding back on buying new tires + wheels but then I got the best fortune cookie ever: "Something on four wheels will soon make a happy arrival in your life"

Cool... thanks Craig. Not long now before I have mine on as well

Already have the summer setup installed? Assuming you went with the Star Specs? I think I'm T-3 weeks right now... Complicating my decision is that Michelin just released the new Pilot Super Sport, which will likely be in a compatible size for the MINI, unlike the PS2. I run the gen 1 pilot sports on the M3 and love them. Downside is that they're not in production yet for MINI sizes and not scheduled to hit shelves until at least mid-April. Might go with the sure thing and get the Star Specs so I can get off my snow tires before it hits 80... Look forward to hearing a review of the new tires!

You have the dark surround LED indicators that OutMotoring sells right? I think those are one of my upcoming mods. I have a 2009 which I believe means I can run LEDs without triggering any bulb-out warnings or wiring in supplemental resistors. If that's the case than they're definitely on my list!

Struck me this month as well... New black aero side scuttles from the 2011 Justa to make my AB mini stealthier (think I mentioned these to a few at the Passport M&G - good for the blacked out trim crowd) Then a NM strut tower brace shortly thereafter... New wheels + tires next month! (in links above: shameless self promotion for my recently started and still under construction blog)

So I've been looking forward to this all winter, and of course it's scheduled for the one weekend I have to be out of town... Anyone know when the next one will be or if SCCA is planning any for March? (website wasn't updated the last time I checked) On the other hand, I'd still have my winter tires on for this so it would definitely be interesting...

Thanks Jason, that's good to hear. Star specs are now on the top of the list! (...unless someone can think of a tire with lower weight but comparable performance...)

What has been your experience with ride quality and tread wear? I don't have room for a 3rd set of wheels/tires in my apartment so I need a summer tire that will be tolerable for the 90% of my driving that is commuting but also will be rewarding for weekend fun drives and potentially auto-x.

I'm also looking to get a new summer tire when I rotate off my winters in a few months (not a fan of the $$$ OEM Dunlop runflats which will probably be hitting the market place in the not too distant future). I'm looking at switching over to some lightweight wheels but will be sticking with the 17x7 size. Star Specs come in a 215 width (rather than OEM 205) and I'm curious, will there be any issues with rubbing? I haven't lowered the car or adjusted the camber in any way. Also, what's with the weight on the Star Spec and comparable tires? I read 23 lbs for 215/45/17, which is actually more than the OEM runflats and kind of goes counter to my mission of shedding unsprung weight. If I go a notch down in performance to Conti ExtremeContact or SportContact 3s I can save 3-4 lbs per tire and also get much longer tread life (understandably at the expense of grip). And, finally, what kind of tread life have people been seeing on Star Specs and comparable tires? I drive about 1,000 miles a month, mostly on highways and would like to be able to get two seasons (figure 8k a piece) or at a minimum one full season out of the tire. High-wear driving conditions where I actually need the capabilities of the tire are probably a very small percentage of that. Thanks!

Good to meet all of you! And special thanks for the ride to Mango Mike's, Ali

Will try to make it down if I can wake up in time (lots of late nights working this week). Guess I can get a free car wash while I'm there too :top: