"tigermachine" has a new (Garage-Partner) 2011 Mini Cooper S

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

A manual doesn't really bother me when in traffic. I always put the gearbox in neutral and let the clutch out anyway when I come to a stop.

I did OK on buying my STi. I bought a MY '11 in December of that year so the dealer was anxious to get it out the door before the end of the month. I traded my MINI instead of selling it, so I didn't get what I could have, but it was an unplanned purchase. I bought my wife one of two '11 STIs left in the city. After she got hers I enjoyed driving it, so I went out and bought the other one (two different dealers).

I do not miss the torque steer of the MINI JCW. That was one aspect of it I never liked. I will probably not get a FWD again, and with the STi I am completely sold on AWD and will probably stay with that from now on.

The STi just simply "Rock"

And to have two of them in the same garage has to be like so cool.

AWD cars are cool as I have had a few of the Audi's with it.
The most fun one was the S4 with the 6-Sp. Tranny.
Man that was such a cool machine and so much fun to drive.

Back then I just never kept any car long though.

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by tigerhonaker

The STi just simply "Rock"

And to have two of them in the same garage has to be like so cool.

AWD cars are cool as I have had a few of the Audi's with it.
The most fun one was the S4 with the 6-Sp. Tranny.
Man that was such a cool machine and so much fun to drive.

Back then I just never kept any car long though.

STi is a blast. My wife and I both love them. The car exceeded any expectation or hope I had for it. My only complaint is the Dunlop SP900 tires it came with. They have great wet and dry grip, but are deafening once you hit about 70 or so, which makes them suck for road trips. When they are done, I'll switch to either Yokohama Advan Neova A08 or the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by chessman

Terry, I cannot recall the last time I saw a tech hand torque lug nuts. Outstanding!

Randy ... We be on the same page on that.
I can tell you the dealers I worked at never-ever hand torqued wheels, ever !!!
This Discount Tire I go to takes care of me for sure.
I have done a lot of business with them and sent business their way.

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

Gawd...I hate that every time I have my car serviced, the first thing I have to do is loosen all the way overt-tighened lugs and re-torque.

Dean ... Your absolutely right.

That is the typical way it works for sure and I speak from experience and working for dealers.

Originally Posted by chessman

Many seem to use the "rattle the air gun a half turn before it breaks method."

Randy ... Dealers and many automotive service businesses are Pathetic.

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

I have the same tires on my Acura TSX, they are awesome! Somehow they even work well in the rainy Northwest.

Marc ... When I did all my research on tires the Michelin Pilot Super Sports in their category came up Number-1.
So Discount Tire ordered a set for me as they did not have those in stock.
They came in in just a few days from the distributor.
I got a call and dropped by and Paul jumped right on the MCS.
It is super smooth as I just got back from my Mini Dealership.
Went by and paid for the extended 6-year, 100,00 mile Maintenance Contract.

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

One of the things I hated about the MINI (and BMWs) is they put the lug stud on the bolt and not the rotor. Makes changing wheels more of a PITA. I converted my MINI by adding studs on the rotors so I could use regular lug bolts (conversion kit was about $100 IIRC).

Dean ... In my case I want be doing the maintenance so I am going to leave it as I got it.
But if I was going to do the maintenance I would do as you and change it.

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

STi is a blast. My wife and I both love them. The car exceeded any expectation or hope I had for it. My only complaint is the Dunlop SP900 tires it came with. They have great wet and dry grip, but are deafening once you hit about 70 or so, which makes them suck for road trips. When they are done, I'll switch to either Yokohama Advan Neova A08 or the new Michelin Pilot Super Sport.

Dean ... I can tell you for sure these Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are (Quiet) on the interstate.
I just got back from my Mini Dealership and was on the interstate driving like 75-80 mph.
No-Noise from tires.
Plus these tires are very highly rated for Dry as well as Wet.

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by tigerhonaker

Dean ... I can tell you for sure these Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are (Quiet) on the interstate.
I just got back from my Mini Dealership and was on the interstate driving like 75-80 mph.
No-Noise from tires.
Plus these tires are very highly rated for Dry as well as Wet.

Those will probably be my next tires. They are less costly than the Yokos and have longer threadwear.

I will say the Advan Neova A08 grip like a MF. I ran them on my MINI JCW at the track and lapped other MINIs and BMWs all weekend. It was like I was on R-Comps. They just did not let go and asked me to push harder and harder.

[Pider]

Now that is making me more jealous than your HT upstairs, and that was making me jealous enough! Congratulations, my friend!

Originally Posted by tigerhonaker

Now for that garage picture

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

Those will probably be my next tires. They are less costly than the Yokos and have longer threadwear.

I will say the Advan Neova A08 grip like a MF. I ran them on my MINI JCW at the track and lapped other MINIs and BMWs all weekend. It was like I was on R-Comps. They just did not let go and asked me to push harder and harder.

Dean ... You will like the Pilot Super Sports for the street I think.

Originally Posted by Pider

Now that is making me more jealous than your HT upstairs, and that was making me jealous enough! Congratulations, my friend!

You sure know the right words to make a fellow get the "Big-Head"

Thanks pal and this MCS is a real blast we just got back home after taking it for a drive and to dinner.

[tigerhonaker]

Hello Gang,

Well the 1st Modification just took place about an hour or so ago.

Drove over to the Mini Dealership and saw Corey my Service Advisor and he got a tech for me.

And the tech replaced the headlight Halogen stock bulbs with the one's below in the picture.
Yes I researched this to {Death} as usual.

Oh and I did purchase two (2) sets of them just in case.
(Better Safe than Sorry)

[Josquin des Prez]

FWIW: here is what my MINI JCW looked like before I traded it.

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

FWIW: here is what my MINI JCW looked like before I traded it.

Dean ...

That is so very Bad Ass

Both me and the wife just checked it out.

Way cool Bro.

I'm glad you posted that pic of it.