That reminds me of a couple of years ago at the track. I was trying to catch a friend in turn 7 and forgot to set the front end up for the turn. So the car went straight ahead. Out in the field I go spinning donuts with the windows open. I had to take it to a detailer to clean it out. What a mess, but fun.
Wow, must be summer! (lack of activity). So today Sunday up early to take the 13 year old kitty over for Dental treatment, my vet is a mobile so has to share/rent a facility for these type of surgeries. Poor kitty, now fangless, a few molars now gone and a mouth full of stiches. Do not let the dental work go on to long. He will survive, but he is a 15lb baby. Only good part of the day, a few more miles on the JCW 20 Clubman at 7:30 this morning, round trip was a good 20 minute run over and 20 back, some nice country roads. This afternoon, I picked up the little guy in the 11 Countryman, it needs love too. No pictures, 97 degrees, to damn hot! Mask up and be safe. Don
Took the car to get it ceramic coated today. Will see how it comes out in a couple of weeks. This place must be doing something right they had another 15 to 20 cars in his shop. They also do wraps. I heard they quit a price to customer of $3800.00 for a complete wrap. That seem high but I don't really know.
Handed the 2012 CM All4 over to a tow truck guy this morning. It had gone into limp mode and now I await diagnostics. Upside for the day - I get to see both my boys tonight for a belated birthday dinner. (and see the R53 too )
So, I never did get a chance to talk with a senior tech at the MINI dealer, but I did some reading of old articles when the 2020 Clubman was launched. The most notable to me was the article put out by AutoWeek and the descriptions they provided. Now I am on the hunt for some performance additions and perhaps some way to bring up the 'bling' under the JCW Clubbie's bonnet. Man that is one plain engine department, might have to contact Rick in NC and get him a paint shop setup just to satisfy all the new JCW folks. Anyway, I will cut and paste the portion Autoweek published on the Clubbie JCW transmission, sorry Spoiler it is not a DSG. but read for yourself. "The JCW’s 2.0-liter engine block is the same as that in the Clubman S, but just about everything else in the engine is different. The turbo is bigger and the heads lower compression from 10.25:1 to 9.5:1. Injector volume increases, the exhaust tubes are bigger and less restricted, and internals are upgraded. The pistons and con rods are more rugged, and the crank and main bearings are reinforced. The radiator is larger, and both coolant and oil flow are enhanced for track duty, The net is basically 150 hp per liter, or 301 peak hp, with 331 lb-ft of torque. That’s 113 hp and 124 lb-ft more than the 2020 Clubman S. More to the point, horsepower in the ’20 JCW is up by 73—a full third—compared to 2019, with 28 percent more torque (73 lb-ft). That’s with a new gasoline particulate filter required for the European market." "The transmission is new to the JCW, adapted from the BMW X2 M35i—an eight-speed torque-converter automatic with a lock-up clutch. The JCW’s all-wheel-drive system is upgraded with heavier-duty clutches and more rigid half-shafts. Both the gear set and mount points are reinforced, and there’s a mechanically locking differential for the front axle. As you’d probably guess, the Clubman JCW comes with a high level of standard equipment and grippy sport seats. Production started at Mini’s assembly plant in Oxfordshire, England, in late July, and the first ’20 Clubmen will reach North American stores in as long as it takes to cross the ocean and travel from the port. Technology upgrades and excitement don’t come cheap. The 2020 Clubman JCW starts at $39,400, before the $850 delivery charge. Options and custom packages can easily push the price past $50K. Perhaps Sir Alec is rolling in his grave." Pretty much says it all, I trust the source, if anyone has hard technical on the internals, post them. I will let you know what I find out and about. Next up will be a full persoanl detail, need to read up on Dave.0's tips. Then a 2K oil change to keep the internals clean, this will be done a local BMW/MINI performance shop in Broomfield, CO. Have not used them in years, but reviews and commentary are good, if not a bit pricey! Don
Sounds like your new JCW Clubster has all the go fast bits n bobs. Thanks for the AutoWeek provided info. Enjoy the new ride!
Picked up the R60 today. New Coil packs and plugs. Runs nicely. Now I am grilling and that’s always a good thing.
Good plan, busy or bad weather? Did you ever write up your experiment with Graphene and I missed it? Noted that Adams polishes is promoting a product with his stuff in it. Thanks, Don
I had to have 3 surgeries in the last month and one skin graph for an infection. I am laying down and healing and doing well. The test area a did with a graphene product looks great and dust is not laying on it compared to other parts of my roof.
I did this once at Motorsports Ranch in Texas. I was still learning that lifting in a turn = oversteer. Well... I knew it in my head, but I was still trying to convince my right foot that it was true. I came around an off-camber, over the top of a hill bend at speed. I needed to keep the hammer down, but the message just didn't make it down to the accelerator. The back end flipped around and I went off-track, sideways, at 75-80 MPH, I'd guess. It had been a long, dry summer in Texas and I had both front windows open. My best way to describe it would be to take a 5 gallon bucket, fill it with rocks, dry dirt and twigs and then try to fling the contents through one window and out the other! I can remember time slowing down and I was thinking "1: Straighten the wheel (and watching my hands straighten) 2: Both feet in (and watched my feet go on both pedals - clutch and brake)". Then time sped back up again and I did at least 2, maybe 3 complete revolutions through the grass. I was picking grass out of the interior for YEARS!
Excellent on the result, I noted similar with some of the ceramic samples I have been trying out. I will let graphene mature. Not good to hear about surgeries and infections that need extra care, so take it easy and get better and get the Mistress out for some fun. Thank you and everyone please mask up, so we can get out on the Dragon again. Don
Dang Dave as grumpy as you can be I would have thought you would scare any infection away. I hope you are back at 100% soon my friend.