I think this is some of the reason participation is lacking. I can only speak for myself, however I am new to this game. I have had my MINI since July 09 and have ZERO experience with Modding. I'm starting slow and only have the experience of others to go by. When i got the car, I had a vision for the "aesthetics" of it and hit those first. The reasons; they are cheap (within reason and after shelling out to purchase the car i had a budget), I wanted to drive the car "stock" for a while before i moved to performance upgrades (plan to track it, but not for a while and wanted to know the feel of stock to guage upgrades results) and I wanted to learn about all of the options out there and not throw the first flashiest part on my car without doing the due diligence on research to ensure it mattered. There are a lot of people out there like me that are just getting into a game that a lot of the veterans have been playing for a while. We need the experience and patience to learn from, without getting the feeling that "you've been there and done that" and don't have the time, or that you could help but you don't know me and don't like my direction. (You is a generic term, definitely not finger pointing to Rally) Another de-motivator for information sharing is when someone does something different, one can feel belittled for not doing it the "right" way (according to some). I would love a clear concise resource for modding, as i plan to expand my vision for my car, past aesthetics and into performance and function. However, I will need some help... from those that will look past their opinion of cool/weak and work with me on what i want. Just to clarify, if your experience on quality is true, I would want the honest answer. And if you don't like my look, feel free to say. But also be open to different tastes... and different budgets. This is not directed at anyone in particular, but an overall feel I have had of 7 months of multiple forum lurking and limited posting. On another note, Nathan, This site is getting legs and I'm here every day. As a non-veteran, I tend to not post as much, as I am the learner and don't have a ton to contribute. But know this, I am learning and really like the direction this is going. Even though there is not much content from me.... I'm a fan of the site, and the members here!
Thanks for the comments. In order to create the content you (and that is the figurative you, not just the OP) we need to know what you want. Ask the questions. Someone will answer them. I always look for threads that have no replies and either reply if I know the answer or find someone that does.
I've been around the MINI game since 02, but I still try to help out anyone new to the scene. My experience just doesn't lie in things like plasti-dipping or joey mods. My main focus has always been wheels and suspension. I try to share that information as much as possible when new members ask/need. If you come up with wheel fitment questions, I can answer any questions you have.
Rally, you've already helped me once or twice and i appreciate that! Hopefully I was clear that I was not pointing fingers, it was a generalized statement to the "hard to break in" feeling I have perceived. As winter settles in and I really have some spare time to figure out where I want to go with my car, I'll have a ton of questions I'm sure. Thanks guys!
the Mini is just a car... if you want to start the right way, check on the thread on good books about cars. That will give you a good foundation on which to grow your understanding and apply it to the Mini. As far as doing it the right way or the wrong way, mostly there are many correct ways to skin any of the automotive cats. There are many wrong ways to do them as well. Any one of us will tell you that along the way to learing how to be good at this (or anything for that matter), you'll do your fair share of wrongs. That's the nature of learning. don't let fear of having to do it again cause it didn't work out for you the first time scare you from any action at all! Many who "bench race" cars never really pick of a wrench at all. Have at it and have fun. Matt
That is funny that is what I was thinking, what gonna happen to all the loads of info for 2002-2007 models. I do Google searches for info and just add :site to it.