We're headed down once again! Reprinted from our Blog, there's some info that you already know, but some cool new stuff as well. For the Twelfth year in a row, Helix Minisports will be at the annual celebration of all things MINI called MINIs on the Dragon. If you're not familiar with this event, you can start by visiting MINIs On The Dragon - Home to get a feel for what it's all about. In a nutshell, the Dragon refers to US highway 129 in the Smokey Mountains, a particularly twisty and turny road--one that was seemingly built for MINI coopers. Imagine a 11-mile autocross through a mountain pass. Helix has been at every MOTD except for the very first one, and will once again be there, performing work on MINIs, displaying and installing the latest in performance parts and accessories for three generations of MINI Coopers, Convertibles, Coupes, Roadsters, Countryman, Clubman (what is the plural of Countryman? Countrymen or Countrymans?). We will be offering a wide variety of unique services on MINIs, including hardware and software upgrades, and regular maintenance and repairs. Some of the more interesting things we can do to your MINI includes: -1st Generation Control Arm Bushings. For the R50 and R53s (2002-2006 MINIs), we are offering Powerflex polyurethane control arm bushings installed for $350 total. If you own a 1st generation MINI, have more than 50,000 miles on it, and haven't replaced your bushings, unfortunately, you'll need to. You may have noticed that your MINI's handling is sloppier than it used to be, and that your inner tires have worn out. That's because your control arm bushings have failed. You could replace them with factory bushings, but then you'd just have to replace them in 40 to 50k miles. That's where Powerflex bushings come into play. They last the life of the car and make your handling razor sharp. Lend us a little time with your MINI and we'll make it the best Dragon experience of your life! -2nd Generation Upgrades: Here Are Two: For 2007 and later cars, we're offering two unique services. First, Vehicle Coding. We are able to switch on a number of special commands within your vehicle's computer to activate conveniences that you may not have gotten with your MINI. Everything from automatically rolling up your windows with your key fob, to controlling the torque steer under hard acceleration. How about one-touch sunroof open and close? Here's a partial list of what we can do: Popular Coding Options for (2007-2013) Rxx Mini Coopers Car Access Module Close Windows & Sunroof w/ Lock on Key Fob Auto Unlock Doors When Key Is Removed Activate Panic Alarm **Needs factory alarm installed Maintain Power Windows Operation For 60 Seconds After Switching Off Ignition Selective Unlocking With Key Fob Roof Module One Touch Sunroof Operation Navigation Module Enable Weather-Band Radio Remove Legal Disclaimers Instrument Cluster Module Disable Corrected Speed Reading (Both Digital and Analog) Disable Key-In Gong / Door Open Reminder **Hit or miss with some models Always Display Digital Speed In Cluster Efficient Dynamics Shift Suggestion Indicator Disable Road Freeze Temperature Warning (Gong at 37 Degrees) Airbag Module Disable Driver’s And/Or Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminders Footwell Module (Light Module) Fogs Come On With Parking Lights / Headlights (Disables Toggle Switch) Fogs Stay On With High Beams Fogs Stay On When High Beams Are Flashed Windows DO NOT Stop Rolling Up When Door Opened Euro Hazards (Double Blinking) Euro Hazards with Ignition Off and On Disable Bulb Checks for following circuits: Low Beams High Beams License Plate Front and Rear Fog Lights Corner Lights Parking Lights Daytime Running Lights Brake Lights & Signal Lights Welcome Lights Activated for following circuits: Front High Beams Front Low Beams Rear Fog Light Rear Turn Signals Front Turn Signals License Plate Lamps Climate Control Module Disable A/C Engagement When Selecting Auto Mode Power Steering Module Torque Steer Fix Retrofit Coding -Halogen to Xenon Conversion -Bluetooth -OEM Alarm System -Sirius Radio -Retrofit Power Fold Mirrors -Sports Seat Retrofit -Adaptive Headlight Failure -Remove/add Fog Lights -Aux Input -Disable PDC sensors -PDC Disable for Factory Hitch and Trailor Module -Rear View Camera retrofit -LCI Taillight Coding Options may or may not be available depending on chassis and model year. If you do not see an option on this list you are interested in, please feel free to ask! Also, if you have a Second Generation MINI, you've probably heard of the dreaded carbon build-up on the intake valves. It robs the cars of performance, efficiency, and smooth operation. There's only one reliable way to clean off the build-up, and that's a Walnut Shell Blasting Service. We'll be offering it at the Dragon for $350--less than half of what MINI dealerships charge to do the service. We have the factory tools to get it done right, and make your car run as it did when it was new. Finally, we're working hard on Vehicle Coding for the Third (F Series) Generation of MINIs. There will be more information upcoming shortly on these deveopments.
Any chance you will the Raceng shift knobs available with you? Might be nice to test drive one of those before purchasing.