Scouser

Will be there!!

thanks so much for the information ! :-)

I'm so upset - I got my first ding in my door last night. Someone in a HUGE vehicle parked over the line next to me and when I went to leave I looked at my doors because he was so close, and needless to say he creased my door.!!!!! Anyway, I know there's a guy that does the repair of small dents. Would someone please take the time to let me know the name of the place/guy - he did a session at Craig's house a few month ago. I'd love to know his name (or any others for that matter that anyone can suggest - I'm over in Gaithersburg, but "will travel" ha ha - to get it repaired" Thanks so much all!!

Looking to upgrade from your old MINI - this is like brand new. Mostly garage kept. 5,300 miles. $26,000 but can be somewhat negotiable. Originally $35,000. I'm trying to help a friend sell his MINI for him. It's a great car, and has been so tenderly treated :-) Eclipse Grey, 6 speed manual transmission, Recaro racing seats, Harmon Kardon sound system, 17" painted black alloy wheels, JCW aerodynamic trim. Any questions, just contact me or call 301-580-4770. Nora.

Hi - thanks for that - I actually went by Adler's a couple of weeks ago. Don't know what to think - they have a good reputation, but the two people I got to talk with weren't impressive at all. I'd read a couple of bad reviews previously about the "woman on the desk" (who is actually the owner's ex wife as I learned) and she was a bit dismissive with me and disappeared never to return after about 5 minutes, and the other guy - who looked about 20 - didn't think I'd be happy with their work. Maybe because I'm obviously going to be REAL particular that the works is done correctly on my Mini and he thought I was too fussy or something. Hmmm.....not exactly a good sell. But yet, I know they have been around a long time etc. So, am a bit perplexed about them now and not sure which direction to go.

Oh Craig - you're a dear! thank you so much. I'll take you up on that. What's the next event you'll be at? Do you go to any of the C3M meets - there's one I'm going to Sat late pm - it's the frozen custard/birthday meet they're having? If not, let me know which meet you'll be at next and I'll be sure to be there - do I have to remove the diffuser piece off the car? Just wondering how to do that. I guess I can google it or something.

Yes, I remember our discussion. I have no problem with doing that - just that I DO worry about the HEAT from the exhaust so near the rubber/plastic of the PD, - I can see myself in the car, sniffing, then looking in the rear view mirror and seeing smoke & fire coming up the back of my MINI....perish the thought

Woo-hoo the pic came out, but I'm not sure you can see it?

Hi there - I'm really enjoying using the Plasti-Dip after I got some good help from Corey and Craig, :big grin: but what I'd like to do next, I'm not sure PD is a good idea to use. I have the (R56) JCW rear bumper/trim package - and surrounding the exhaust pipes, there's a piece separate to the bumper that I'd like to have blacked out, (it's the same color as the car) but I don't think PD will be a good idea because of the heat/exhaust fumes. Has anyone blacked this piece out before and if so, what's the best way to do it? I guess it would need to be removed from the car no matter what approach and I think "the professionals" would need to do it. Any suggestions anyone? (wished I could attach a photo, but don't know how to do that). I'll give it a whirl & see if it comes out...? Nora

Hi - just thought I'd give a little update - I took Craig's advice & got a couple of new headlight rims, and since it was such a gorgeous day today, I decided to PD them. Put about 5 coats on - took me the better part of the afternoon, but it was worth it. Going to let them fully dry for a day or two then, will TRY and install them. Those little clips are a bit tricky I see that. Don't want to break them. I have another question which I'll start a new thread on - about the rear air diffuser. Thanks again guys for your input :top:

Thanks very much for that - I'll get in touch with him. :-)

Oh thanks to both - yes I'd be interested in the company from Fairfax and I'll also look into the car parts online company. Thanks both :-)

To answer Rich's comment : you mention there's lots of seats available in the U.S. Can you give me some ideas where? When I checked Ebay - only EbayUK had seats - and haven't seen any otherwise in my search. As regards wiring - if I did find some nice leather seats, I would probably have MINI do the putting in since they'd be obviously familiar with the wiring aspects. On the reupholstering - I think I would have to know they'd done Minis before quite regularly otherwise I wouldn't do it. Finding the right place is a job in itself. Seems like I've heard people say they reupholstered their Mini seats, but it's been a while. I would just like something more classy looking and I like the leather. Yeah - the Recaros are great, but way high in cost as we know.

Anyone got any wisdom on the idea of getting my present seats re-upholstered in full leather? Hindsight is always 20/20 - should have got them when I got the car - however - since I've been THINKING about having them redone in full leather, I need feedback on whether it's a bad idea. When I talked w/the dealership they said to be wary of recovering the seats, or installing new ones as the wiring may not get done right that operates the airbags etc., since they'd be aftermarket. They strongly advised against it saying there's a lot of components that need to be hooked up just right etc. etc. I looked on Ebay for actual seats that I was interested in - and they're cheaper than getting them redone through the dealership - but again, the advice from the dealership was it's tricky business because of different wiring set ups from another country (the Ebay ones were from UK). Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks Craig - that's a great idea!! I will do that very thing. (shoulda thought of it myself - lol - makes sense!) Thanks again! Nora

Ha ha - thanks for asking Corey - I didn't do the front yet, no - ran out of time. Was going to do them today (Friday) my day off - but now I see it's RAINING!! Maybe I can do them this weekend - however I think it's supposed to rain each day...bummer! But I'll try & fit them in somewhere. I'm so grateful for your help and advice. That was really great of you to show up & help me!! Nora

11:00 sounds good - Craig gave me his address - I bought the PlastiDip tonight - if there's anything else I will need just let me know! Thanks again! Nora ps - Sat is supposed to be really nice weather too :-)

Oh - thanks so much to both of you to be SO helpful. Much appreciated. Just let me know Corey what time would work for you. And Craig, could I please have your address so I can Google how to get here. Thanks! Nora

Thanks Corey - waiting to hear from Craig - will keep you posted. Maybe sometime Saturday? Like late morning, early p.m.? I need to get Craig's address.

Corey - thanks so very much for the info. I emailed Craig to see if he would mind us using a little area of his driveway. Waiting to hear back. How many cans would I need? At least if I learn how to do the grill trim, then I might have the confidence to do the bezzels and rear lights too :-) at some point. If Craig is ok with this, what day/time would work for you? Nora

Ahhh - thanks so much for that. I REALLY appreciate the offer to help. I may want to do that :-) I'm scared to start taking things off the car etc. I did call the Detroit place - they only carry the glossy - he said that's how they all come from the factory. He wasn't a fan of PD - said it has to be redone every 6 months or so...(don't fancy doing it every 6 months) and he said it's more prone to chips etc. He suggested having the existing chrome pieces vinyl wrapped with a good 3M matte vinyl. Of course I see big $$'s to do that. I know I've read good things from those folks on the blog here about the PD - seems like a good way to go gpomg by all your experiences with it, and as you mention, it can easily be peeled off. To "engage help" where would I need to go? I'd be willing to pay also - don't expect free time from anyone :-) Nora

Thanks for the input. Didn't want to do PD because it's time consuming and I have a motion that it won't hold up in the elements as well...could be wrong. I wanted to be able to have the chrome pieces available if for any reason I decided to switch back and don't fancy the idea of peeling off the PD. but the car looks great - may have to go that route! Thanks!

Hi - does anyone know a company that I can order a MATTE black grill trim? I know Outmotoring & Mini Mania have the trim, plus one or two other companies, but they're both glossy - I don't like the glossy so much - I've seen a couple of thumbnail pics of the matte, and it looks great, matches the plastic wheel covers - but there's no information on where to find it. I don't want to go the Plasti-Dip route or tape - I'd like to be able to find the actual piece and just change it over. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks so much! Nora/Blue Bonnet p.s. also Matte black for the tail light trims too if possible.

Hi all - this may seem like a dumb question, but since I've never done the Beltway run before and lunch, how do over 100 people pay for the luncheon? Do we pay ahead of time at Kilroys or what? How do 100 people or close fit in to this restaurant and pay for their lunch. Sorry if it sounds like a stupid question - most of you probably have done this before. Thanks - Nora

Hi - can someone help please. I clicked on the link that said to make a reservation for lunch, but nothing happened. Have all reservations been used up? Nora