The boys over at WhiteRoofRadio [iTunes Link] have been talking about this issue for a few months now. These oil starved engines are really starting to become an issue. I’ll do my part to spread the word. CHECK YOUR OIL LEVEL PEOPLE!
The video and their take after this jump.
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Let’s start this off by telling your it was about 25 degrees in my garage when I started this. A fresh coat of snow blanketed my driveway. So first things first.
An hour before I was ready to get started I fired up the propane heater. A nice toasty garage is a must.
After that is was really as easy as following the instructions that NM Engineering supplies for you. I have had a wonderful experience with NM. I now run almost everything they make for the R55.
- Suspension Coils
- Rear End Links
- Exhaust
- CAI (Cold Air Intake)
- Tie-Bar
I choose SPC Performance for my rear control arms. My rear sway bar is the 26mm Hotchkis. What would complete my “NM” Clubman is to sport their new Heat Shield and a Engine Torque Arm Insert. I’m sure those items are coming some day.
As for the performance of the Tie-Bar and CAI; I’ll have to tell you in a few days when some of this snow melts.
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New parts ordered today…I went with the Smurf Blue. Should be here in a few days from Temecula, CA
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The Hankook snow tires have been on for about 32oo miles and yesterday I got the chance to rotate them. While working this process I check the tire pressure. Turned out the “tire monkeys” at Peerless tire set the tires at 28psi. All along I thought the loss of grip was due to the sipping that Winter tires usually have…nope, just low tire pressure. I put them back up to 38psi.
Rotating the tires gives me the opportunity to grease up the sway bar. An aftermarket sway bar can causes quite a bit of noise if not installed properly. I decided to go with the advice of my buddy Jon and get the Hotchkis 22mm bar. It comes with greaseable bushings. However that is not the only key in keeping it quite. I use plumbers tape on the bar. You know the white tape you put on the threads of a plumbing joint. I wrap the bar in the area that comes in contact with the bushing. Using marine grease in the bushing also helps. That grease is designed for use in boating so it takes longer to break down in water.
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I swear this guy always parks next to my Mini at the grocery store.
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All the hype in the Mini community right now is centered around the upcoming even in Las Vegas called AMVIV. It’s truly going to be an epic March in Vegas. I am so looking forward to my first AMVIV. After that event comes The Dragon, then MITMs.
This year the Mini In The Mountains (MITMS) team is mixing things up. The venue has been changed to Winter Park Resort. This venue is going to be incredible. Monday night I saw some Summer time pictures of the resort. The drive to get there is thrill on it’s own. It’s 20 miles of tight hairpins.
Look for more information from the promotions team. Oh yeah, I’ve been recruited for that team so you’ll see a ton of updates here.
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The 19 most complex and dangerous roads in the world
From the looks of this post, the Clubman and I need to go Norway, and a few other places.
[via Waze]
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With inspiration from a SEMA mate I am finally getting around to editing my GoPro HD videos from the drive back to Denver. Soon I’ll post the link to my ride through Glenwood Canyon.
UPDATE: Here it is —>
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You know you’re a Mini owner if…you use your kid’s bathroom to wash floormats in the Winter time
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Looking for the ultimate iPhone car for the car enthusiast on your list? I found it. It comes in Black, Red and Yellow. No need to order me one. I just ordered one in Black for myself. You’ll need to think a little harder for a gift for local 5280driver blogger.
Stuffing ourselves has become a tradition…and so should be the Post Turkey Day Run with Mini5280.
Today Jacob, my oldest son, and I had the pleasure of running through Denver today with about 10-12 other Minis. We started out at the old Detailer’s Paradise location on South Broadway. The group started by working our way through some residential streets in the DU area. Next was the Washington Park area, then by the Denver Zoo. After working our way through Five Points and downtown Denver we headed for the final destination, Pasquini’s on South Broadway.
This was our first time attending this event. The Mini5280.org crowd is always up for a good time, and today was no exception.
When they get posted, I will link some of the pictures that OTHER people took. I left my camera battery on the charger. 
[Thanks Teena for the pictures link]
Finally biting the bullet today and picking up some snow rubber for the Clubman. I have been all over the map on this one. Would it be Blizzaks, Dunlops or the super in expensive Hankooks.
I decided on the Hankooks. The budget is tight right now, and the tread design has the “V” aspect I am looking for. The tire is studdable, although I’m not going to stud it.
The local Peerless Tire in Highlands Ranch had all four in stock. I’m going with the 215/45R17. That size offers tons if options and most are non-runflat. This will be my first experience with a Mini running standard tires. I don’t think I’ll be disappointed.
The tires run $107 a tire which is about $30 a tire cheaper than almost anything else.
It was sad loading my JCW Challenge spokes in the back. I love the those rims. The color and style of those look amazing on my car. I’ll put them back on in March or April. I opted to go with some old 2003 s-lites for the Winter. I good friend gave them to be a few years ago. They have been powder coated Black. They should work and look fine for the Winter.
Alignment is still an issue The inside of the Summer Dunlops are wearing way too fast. I think I need to take some where other than Midas to dial it in properly. At least my rotation schedule has kept the wear the same all the way around.
Last week I picked up some new primed mirror caps from the dealer. Today I painted them and waited for them to dry. The anticipation was killing me. I mean I’ve been talking about getting rid of the chrome caps for months.
Flat Blacking these was my goal. Pulled out some rattle can, satin flat back I had sitting on the shelf. A few clankity clanks of the can and I was done. Laying down a couple of layers took no time at all. After letting them dry I was not “in love” with the flat black. Finger prints all over them.
Deciding to lay a layer of clear coat on them was tough. However, they turned out great. They are pretty close to the same color as my arches and other plastic pieces.
Here are some pictures. They’re going to look stunning with my Winter rims. eh?
16,450 miles
Today was the Clubman’s first oil change and dealer service. While waiting I had a look around at Ralph Schomp.
Check out these 17″ R108s. They look tremendous is black. Kind of an expensive winter rim, but they would be epic.
I didn’t pull the trigger. $2,000+ worth of wheels would not sit well with the bride. 
I did however pull the trigger on some primered mirror caps. They were a little pricey, but I’ve been searching for some used placements for about three months with no luck. I have chrome caps now, and they are just a little too much on my car.
I have not decided what color to paint them. I am leaning toward flat black. That would match up with my winter, flat black, S-lites.
What color do you think I should I paint them?
