Bert

You mean I get to meet Ty? One of my fellow Montgomery Counters that I never see on the road? This will be special. :big grin: Rey is correct. Just show up and discuss world politics with your fellow MINIacs. :shake hands: (Not MD politics since that won't get us anywhere.) The C3M board is already showing 12 people listed as attending. Hmmm, more C3Mers than DCMMers? Does that appear strange to anyone here? :hmpf:

Is it only going to be me and Celia at the MINI of MoCo M&G this Saturday morning?

We had a great time. This is the first time that my daughter has been able to come home from college to participate. Thank you to all the planners, volunteers, and group leaders. That includes Laura that was volunteered on the road. :top:

Thank you Sherri. You brought it with your crew, the sound effects, and keeping Granny inside the wolf. Great job. I loved the Tardis and Olaf and thought they were both up there. I agree that the bar has been raised. I already have 2 ideas for next year, still working with Ernie's BRG color and we can also go for the kiss up award with either theme. Let the trash talk... I mean planning begin. :embarrassed: Maybe we can suggest categories: Best suck up to Passport MINI. Best use of their car's natural color or model, (MINI fish Tank, Tardis, Olaf, Grey Squirrel, MINI 1, others) Best character or personality from a book/story, movie, tv show, video game. (Wolf, Tardis, Olaf, Pirate) Best mechanical, lights, or sound effects. Best swim suit. (Tigger will be going topless. I would bet on it.)

It was a lot of fun. Great work everyone. :congrats: We are already talking about challenging the prize for the best suck-up next year. Anne-Marie took pictures of all the cars and we will got through them tomorrow.

All the pieces are coming together. I'm hoping that we can challenge Catalina this year.

I decided to go with a repair. Not the best since you can still see a hairline crack but it didn't cost me anything and it might stop the crack. The winter is coming and odds are that I pick up a ding or two before spring. I will see what happens come Spring.

I deserve that. :tomato:

Alright. Every DCMM member who has not named their car please identify yourself and Ali will now proceed to name your car. We know you are out there. Don't be shy. It is the right thing to do. This is a theory that people take better care of their car if it is named. There is another theory that men take better care of their cars than themselves.

So, I decided to go with the repair this time. I just know that there will be another chip or crack by the end of the winter. They are letting the crack dry overnight and will fill it tomorrow.

Has Ernie gained weight? Not really. This is Max-well. He is the loaner that Kristen at MoCo MINI set me up with this morning. To keep Ali happy I had to name him. At least he is an S this time. Sorry Melissa, I had to say it. :embarrassed:

The non-MINI quotes ran from $350 to $410 with a $50 deductible. But MoCo has quoted around $900. before discounts. GEICO will cover $357 of any of these with our policy. MoCo is looking at Ernie this morning since we are still considering if it is repairable. That is, can they seal it to keep it from spidering or should the windshield be replaced. Decisions, decisions.

Don't worry. Ernie is not going in drag. There is little chance that they will be dressed the same. And he will not have a sheet over him but there are construction materials involved.

Yes, they didn't like the idea of working on a MINI windshield with the rounded sides and all the trim. They could get the OEM glass in a day or two if I wanted. I think that they like quick glue-in windshields, with little to no trim, that are fast for them to get a few done in a day. Each place, four including MoCo, was saying that it was going to take longer than 2 hours and that I should leave the car. Safelite and AAA did have the mobile option, which I have used in the past on a Jeep and Volvo, but that it is a more involved replacement.

Ok, Edge. Not Mr. OEM. I did talk with AAA but we didn't get to the Crystal Fusion discussion since they didn't appear to be so happy with the idea of a MINI windshield.

I just need two last items for Ernie's costume... :idea: one from Home Depot and one from Staples. Important parts were ordered last week and should be delivered by the end of this week. Then assembly.

I have not had any issues with Safelite in the past with 3 windows replaced on 2 of our other cars over the past ~10 years... BUT... after reading the thread here and North American Motoring I decided to double down (really, double the price). I don't doubt that Tigger's glass is fine. I just hate, truly HATE having to get something done over when it should have been done correctly the first time. I called the AAA (Rockville) and Safelite (Bethesda) locations where I would be having the work done and they both hesitated when I said it is a MINI. After talking with them I didn't get a feeling of confidence. There are enough stories out there about them using too much adhesive and the A pillar covers popping off on the highway after a windshield replacement. I spoke with Kristen, my great MoCo service advisor, and she has a spot for Ernie first thing in the morning. With a loaner... oh no... not a loaner again. So, GEICO will cover about 1/2 of the cost but I will know that a MINI person worked on Ernie and if they need any other parts that they are right there. Does this mean that I am following Mr. OEM's advice... hmmm.

Thanks Ali and Haemish. I'm making phone calls and will let everyone know what happens.

Ugh! With almost 28,000 miles Ernie front windshield has had little nicks and sandblasting but this morning on the Toll Rd he deflected a pebble and got a small one-eyed MINIon smiley face. So after reading through this thread I am not too inspired. I have used Safelite in the past (Volvo and Jeep replacements) and we do have AAA. Hmmm. Celia, who does MoCo use or recommend? Like Ali, I would like OEM but I have to see the price difference and if our insurance (GEICO) will replace with OEM. Glass replacement has only been $50 with GEICO in the past. So I have to call this in. Oh joy.

A good wave is fantastic. It puts a smile on your face and can change your mood. :itsme:

Helljumper.... sorry. I always do that. :bang head: I would have gone for the light too. It is a long wait for the next one.

Right after leaving work last evening (around 6-6:15), about 2-3 blocks away, I heard a pop and burble 2 lanes over on my left. I was on Sunset Hill Rd in Reston and I turned and saw Hellbender continuing east while I was turning onto Reston Pkwy. I don't know if you saw me Craig. :itsme:

Corey, great pictures. Keep them coming. It was great having a chance to speak with you yesterday at the Annual Meeting. Finally able to put another name and face together.

Sorry. :embarrassed: My wife and I like smart cars for local errands but I know how much Ali LOVES them. :laugh:

Sorry. :embarrassed: My wife and I like smart cars for local errands but I know how much Ali LOVES them. :laugh: