Funny you mention that. When I was in Baltimore I stopped by the dealer. Twas a far cry from the old MINI of Towson that I had visited often when I lived in Baltimore. I left the new MINI of Baltimore County with the impression it was just another car dealer, this one happened to sell MINI. The sales people didn't seem to have any of the MINI joie de vivre that I've found at MINI dealers that "get it".
You are correct Nathan. At MINI of Towson, the MINI section was in a building off to itself, a bit rundown, decorated in a crazy manner, full of people and MA's that knew and loved the car. At the new location, the MA's know little about the car and end up telling you they came there for a new "sales opportunity". Even the owners in the lounge area give the impression their MINI is "simply their current car". While sitting at the SA's desk I heard a lady saying "I like that one, I really, really like that one" and her husband responded "Not our kind of car, dear". I turned around and they were looking at Foggie. She did stand out amoung all the plain Janes, I must say. Jim
While sitting at the SA's desk I heard a lady saying "I like that one, I really, really like that one" and her husband responded "Not our kind of car, dear". I turned around and they were looking at Foggie. She did stand out amoung all the plain Janes, I must say. Jim[/QUOTE] Jim..... You should have taken her for a "Spirited Ride" and told her about the Dragon Run, and suggested she get a new husband.... One that fit the MINI better.....
MINI of Baltimore County is where I go for dealer work. (I bought Winston from MINI of Towson). On my last visit I had a good time with a few other drivers who "get it".... dedicated enthusiasts. My SA there is actually pretty good and even allows me to hang out in the garage bay while warranty work is being done.
Even here in Dallas with a big club presence I still have had the "oh, you're one of those" looks from those that just "drive" a MINI.
To many folks who own MINI's they are nothing more than JAC's. That's Justa Car to them. Go figure?? :crazy:
Drove out to see my good friend for lunch today. As Nathan would say, gave Ryu and Italian tuneup :devil:
We took a nice drive into the foothills, just east of us, for breakfast with some great MINI friends at Humphry's Station. What a great day - sunroof open, a fairly well maintained foothill country road, just the right amount of turns to keep from falling to sleep after a hot meal, green grass and oaks all around, sunny and 65 degrees at 11 a.m. Mmmmm... Springtime is a wonderful time out west. Good food, good friends, good health..... Life cannot be more grand.
Took a long drive on the I-5 with sunny 80 deg f weather after having my water-pump recall and intake carbon clean. Seems to be doing fine. I certainly had a smile on my face.
Well, after yesterday's drive in the sunshine, I decided I'd tear into Montag and replace the cracked air pipe that connects the supercharger to the throttle body. Not too bad of a tear down... Anybody with an unsolved vacuum leak might get someone to smoke-test your car. This would have never been found without that test. Parts'll be here Thursday and, if all goes as planned, I'll be motoring the foothills again this weekend.
Finally installed my DDM Works Race Intake. Now I can hear the turbo "blow off". Now that Winston can breathe better, he runs faster.
Yesterday I blew a brake line! Tonight I'll be installing new ones and bleeding (if the FedEx guy arrives as planned)... Thanks Todd at TCE for getting the parts out so quick.
Ordered some new parts for mine... It's gonna be faster! Not that the performance is increased but more like the engine is actually gonna work better with parts that aren't broken.
I stood an stared at it in it's state of disassembly. Parts ought'a be here in a couple days. Since I've got a fridge full'a beer, I guess I'll crack another one... (the 1st was when M/A was down earlier):beer
Enjoyed the MINI after deciding to ignore the DMF issue until it gets to be a noticeable problem. That carbon clean didn't have any major butt-dyno effects but I think I'm seeing faster spool to boost and better fuel mileage. Gotta give it a full tank of normal driving before I make any final calls though.